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CFA
Become a Charterholder
Become a CFA Charterholder
Why Enter the Program?
The CFA
® Program is a graduate-level, self-study
curriculum and examination program for investment
specialists—especially securities analysts, money managers and
investment advisors. Established in 1962, the CFA Program sets the
global standard for investment knowledge, standards and ethics. Earning
the credential can serve as a “passport” to entry or
advancement within the profession or to work in other countries. It
tells clients, employers and colleagues that the charterholder has
mastered a rigorous curriculum covering a broad range of investment
topics and is committed to the highest ethical standards in the
profession. Read
Why Select a CFA
Charterholder.
Prerequisites
The CFA Program is a postgraduate program. The readings assigned in the
study program and the questions on the CFA examinations are geared
toward individuals who are prepared to deal with “masters”
level course work. No specific prerequisite courses of study are
prescribed for enrolling in the CFA Program, but applicants should be
aware that assigned readings in many topic areas are beyond a basic,
introductory level.
Basic Exam Entrance Requirements
To register in the CFA Program, an applicant must:
- Have a US bachelor’s degree or comparable non-US degree. The
degree requirement is self-reporting. An applicant must receive a
bachelor’s degree no later than 31 December of the current
examination year to qualify for entrance into the CFA Program.
- If an applicant does not have a degree, qualified professional work
experience totaling at least four years may be acceptable. Eligible
professional experience for entrance to the program instead of a degree
does not have to be investment related. Summer, part-time, and
internship positions do not qualify. Employment dates (month and year)
and a detailed description of duties for all current and previous
positions must be included with the Registration & Enrollment Form.
An applicant may also apply for entrance to the program with a
combination of college/university and professional work experience that
totals at least four years. (The four-year total must be accrued by the
application date.) Details must be included with the Registration &
Enrollment Form.
- If a student does not meet the degree requirement by 31 December of
the examination year, his or her candidacy will be cancelled,
examination results will be voided, no refund of submitted registration
and enrollment fees will be issued, and he or she will need to register
again and pay all applicable fees to re-enter the program.
- Complete, sign, and return the Registration & Enrollment Form,
including the Professional Conduct Inquiry and Candidate Responsibility
Statement located on the back of the form.
- Pay the required fees.
Requirements to be Awarded the CFA Charter
To be awarded the CFA charter, a candidate must:
-
Sequentially pass the Level I, Level II, and Level III
examinations;
-
Have at least four years of acceptable professional experience
working in the investment decision-making process;
-
Join
CFA Institute as a
member. As part of the application for CFA Institute membership, a
candidate must:
-
Provide current completed sponsor forms;
-
Sign and complete the Professional Conduct Statement;
-
Sign and agree to comply with the terms of the Member’s
Agreement; and
-
Exhibit a high degree of ethical and professional conduct.
-
Apply concurrently for membership in a local CFA Institute Society
of your choice. Your active membership in a local CFA Institute Society
is an important part of continued advancement in your profession.
Learn more about CFA Institute’s CFA Charter
requirements
Maintaining the Charter
Once a candidate becomes a CFA charterholder, he or she must comply with
CFA Institute’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Code of Ethics
and Standards of Professional Conduct. In addition, CFA charterholders
must annually submit a Professional Conduct Statement and pay their
membership dues. Failure to comply with CFA Institute’s
conditions, requirements, policies and procedures can result in
disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or revocation of the right
to use the CFA designation.
View CFA Institute’s Professional Conduct
Program
