LinkedIn is one of the largest professional social networks available, and can be a useful, valuable place to build your professional profile and let others know that you are a CFA charterholder, CFA Program candidate, or CIPM Certificant.
These guidelines are designed to help you properly display your status as a CFA Institute charterholder, CFA candidate, or CIPM Certificant in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
Because the Experience section of a LinkedIn profile is intended to display your employment experience, listing your CFA Institute membership or candidacy in this section can create the impression that you are an employee of CFA Institute, which could be considered a violation of the Code and Standards.
Step-by-Step Instructions
LinkedIn profiles have a new section labeled Certifications, specifically designed to display professional certifications and credentials. This is the most appropriate place to display your status as a CFA Institute charterholder, CFA Program candidate, or CIPM Certificant.
Step 1In your profile, select the Add sections link, and a box will appear with available sections to add to your profile.
Step 2In the Add Sections box, select Certifications from the list on the left.
Step 3
After selecting the Add to Profile button, you can enter your certification details.
In the Certification Name field, enter your status:
Charterholders: If you have met the membership requirements as defined in the CFA Institute Articles and Bylaws (PDF), including completion of the CFA Program and required years of acceptable work experience, enter "Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)."
Candidates: If you are a candidate in the CFA Program, you may make reference to this, but you must not imply that you have any type of partial designation. You are considered a candidate in the CFA Program if your enrollment in the CFA Program has been accepted by CFA Institute, and you are registered to sit for a specified exam, or you have completed a specific exam but have not yet received your results.
Indicate your status as a candidate based on the exam level you are next scheduled to take: 2011 Level I Candidate in the CFA Program, 2011 Level II Candidate in the CFA Program, 2011 Level III Candidate in the CFA Program.*
CIPM Certificants: If you have met the program requirements, including completion of the CIPM Program and required years of acceptable work experience, enter "Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)."
CIPM Candidates: If you are a candidate in the CIPM program, you may make reference to this, but you must not imply that you have any type of partial designation. You are considered a candidate in the CIPM program if your enrollment in the CIPM program has been accepted by CFA Institute, and you are registered to sit for a specified exam, or you have completed a specific exam but have not yet received your results.
Indicate your status as a candidate based on the exam level you are next scheduled to take: 2011 Principles CIPM Candidate, 2011 Expert CIPM Candidate.
Step 4
In the Certification Authority field, enter CFA Institute. Leave the License Number field blank. CFA Institute members may also check the box labeled "The certificate does not expire" as long as you satisfy the requirements to maintain your status.
Once your entry is complete, select the blue Add Certification button and the certification will appear on your profile. Finish by removing any incorrect reference to the CFA charter, CFA Program, or CIPM Program from the employment experience section of your profile.
Thank you for displaying your professional accomplishments and association with CFA Institute on your LinkedIn profile!