CFA® Program requirements Enrolling in the CFA Program
Registration requirements
The following are the entrance requirements for enrolling in the CFA® Program- You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent OR be a college/university senior (in the final year of studies) scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree OR meet experience requirements (below).
- Prospective candidates without a degree may qualify if they have four years of acceptable professional work experience OR a combination of four years of college/university and professional work experience. (Experience need not be investment related. Summer, part-time, and internship positions do not qualify).
Registering for the CFA Exams
If you are a prospective candidate, you may register for your Level I exam once you have paid an initial enrollment fee to CFA Institute. In addition to the initial fee, you are required by CFA Institute to pay a registration fee for each exam.
- You may register for only one exam at a time, and cannot register for a subsequent exam until you have received your passing results for the prior level exam.
- Early registration can save you money because CFA Institute imposes a graduated fee schedule that increases over time.
To register for the CFA Program and an examination, go to CFA Program Online Candidate Registration and Enrollment Form.
Charterholder requirements
CFA® Institute has established the following requirements for achieving the CFA charter:
- Successful completion of Levels I, II, and III examinations.
- At least four years of acceptable professional work experience related to the investment decision-making process. This may be accrued prior to, during, or after completing the exams. See CFA Program work experience guidelines for more detailed information.
- Membership in CFA Institute and application for membership with a CFA Institute society. For more information, see Join CFA Institute.
- Agreement to comply with, among other things, the CFA Institute conditions, requirements, policies, and procedures as defined in the CFA Institute Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
- Once a charterholder, you must submit an annual Professional Conduct Statement and pay annual membership dues.
