Who is CFA® for?

Eligibility Criteria

To enroll for the CFA® Program you must have:

    • Bachelor's Degree- Complete a bachelor's program or equivalent program and have received a degree from the college/university. If you are not sure if your program is comparable, consult your college or university.
    • Undergraduate Student- Your selected exam window must be 23 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Understand that you must complete your degree program prior to the date of sitting your Level II exam.
    • Professional Work Experience- Have a combination of 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three sequential years and achieved by the date of registering for the Level I exam. The dates of education and professional work experience cannot be overlapping. If you have a combination of work experience and higher education to achieve the minimum hours and years, assume that higher education takes 1,000 hours per year.

      *Professional work experience does not need to be investment related internships/articleships are accepted if they are paid. Work experience with your own business or your family business will qualify only if it is professional experience for which you are paid.
  2. CFA Institute requires that every CFA Program candidate have a valid international travel passport. Those without a passport will not be able to register or sit for exams.
  3. CFA Program exams are only offered in English. Exams require English proficiency for reading comprehension and formulating answers to complex financial scenarios.
  4. All candidates in CFA Program must complete a Professional Conduct Statement form to attest that they are in compliance with this requirement.
  5. There are some countries with which CFA Institute cannot work. Review the OFAC Policy to check if there are any sanctions on your country.

Note:

*You can only take the exam twice a year, with at least six months between attempts. You can only attempt the exam a maximum of six times. Even if you only complete one session, it counts as an attempt.

How to Become a CFA Charterholder:

Meet the following requirements for securing your CFA® Charter

  • Pass Level I, II, and III Exams.
  • Achieve Qualified Work Experience.
  • Submit Reference Letters.
  • Apply to Become a Charter holder.