CFA Program Main

Membership Types and Requirements

 

Both CFA Institute and your local society review your work experience and sponsor statements to determine your membership eligibility.

 

If you have less than 48 months of qualified work experience, you may be considered for affiliate membership.  

 

If you have at least 48 months of qualified work experience, you may be considered for regular membership (required to receive your CFA charter).

 

Affiliate Membership

 

Affiliate members receive the same benefits as regular members, but do not have voting rights. To qualify for affiliate membership, you must:

 

  1. Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and Professional Conduct Statement
  2. Fulfill society requirements, which vary by society (find a society). All societies require two sponsor statements as part of each application; these are submitted online by your sponsors

 

Learn what happens when we receive your application.

 

Once you're approved for affiliate membership by a society, you will be prompted to activate your membership. You may activate your membership at that time or wait until you qualify and are approved for regular membership (see below)  to activate your membership.

 

Note: Affiliate membership does not qualify you to receive the CFA charter. Candidates are often first approved as affiliate members and then apply for an upgrade to regular membership after they have accrued the required work experience. View membership FAQs

 

Regular Membership

 

To qualify as a regular member of CFA Institute and a local society, you must:

 

  1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience
  2. Pass Level I of the CFA exam or pass the self-administered Standards of Practice Examination
  3. Have 48 months of acceptable professional work experience in the investment decision-making process
  4. Fulfill society requirements, which vary by society (find a society). Unless you are upgrading from affiliate membership, all societies require two sponsor statements as part of each application; these are submitted online by your sponsors
  5. Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement, a Professional Conduct Statement, and any additional documentation requested by CFA Institute

 

If you are an affiliate member and meet the requirements stated above, you must update the appropriate information in your account and submit an Upgrade Membership application.

 

Learn what happens when we receive your application.

 

In the event of a discrepancy, CFA Institute makes the final determination for regular membership status. View membership FAQs

 

CFA Charterholder Membership


To qualify as a CFA charterholder member, you must be a regular member and have completed all three levels of the CFA Program.