Work Experience

 

To earn your CFA charter, you must become a regular member of CFA Institute.  

 

 

There are three key work experience criteria for regular membership. You must have:

 

Tips for Applying:   Do allow several weeks for your application to be reviewed and approved for membership   Don't rely on your job title as a substitute for describing your job duties   Get More Do's and Don'ts...

1. Four years (48 months) of work experience in ...

2. A full-time position consisting of ...

3. Qualifying activities, such as:

• • Evaluating and applying financial, economic, or statistical data involving securities or other investments, or producing work that adds value to the process
  • Supervising persons who practice such activities
  • Teaching such activities

 

Learn more about the types of membership and membership requirements. 

 

How much work experience do I need?

Four years (48 months) of acceptable professional work experience are required for regular membership. This experience may be accrued while you're in the CFA Program, after you've passed all three exam levels, or from previous positions. Just remember that you must be a regular member to be eligible for the CFA charter. 

 

What's acceptable work experience?

You are required to spend at least 50 percent of your time in qualifying activities to accrue your required professional work experience. Summer, part-time, and internship positions do not qualify. Managing your own investments does not qualify.

 

Qualifying activities include being:  

Directly involved in the investment decision making process

or

Engaged in responsibilities and/or producing a work product that informs or adds value to that process

 

View list of sample job titles.

Look at some sample work experience descriptions.