CFA® Program
CFA Program overview
The CFA Program is your pathway to becoming a globally recognized Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). Equipping you with real-world skills in investment analysis, a Chartered Financial Analyst designation helps you thrive in the competitive investment industry.
Strive for the gold standard of investment credentials
To be able to join more than 200,000 chartered financial analysts globally recognized for their commitment to ethics and professionalism, you need to complete the three exams that make up the CFA Program. They test the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning.
Every step of the way, we’ll support you as you grow your knowledge. Once you achieve the status of Chartered Financial Analyst, your strong foundation in advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills will qualify you to work in senior and executive positions in investment management, risk management, asset management, and more.
Why become a CFA Charterholder?
Mark of distinction
Show employers you have the knowledge and commitment to thrive in today’s complex and continually evolving investment industry.
Career opportunities
Open up new pathways into a wide range of investment decision-making careers, including asset and wealth management, commercial banking, and consulting.
Global gateway
Leverage the global recognition of the CFA Charter to pursue investment management roles anywhere in the world.
Stay ahead
Equip yourself with the skills to thrive in the evolving finance industry with a Chartered Financial Analyst credential.
Insights from experts
Learn key real-world skills in investment analysis from the leaders in investment education.
Enhanced professional profile
Earn an easily shareable digital badge to display your achievement in your online networks.
How to become a CFA Charterholder
-
Pass the CFA Program exams
The CFA Program is made up of three exams. You need to pass all three levels, alongside modules that build your practical skills, to become a Chartered Financial Analyst.
-
Complete qualifying work experience
Your work experience must either be directly involved with the investment decision-making process or producing a work product that informs or adds value to that process. You can carry out your work experience before, during, or after you participate in the CFA Program.
-
Apply for membership
You need to be a regular member of CFA Institute to achieve the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to submit 2-3 professional references to comment on your work experience and professional character. Learn more about applying for membership.
-
Become a member of CFA Institute
Once your application is approved and you have joined CFA Institute, you will have earned your CFA charter.
Who is the CFA Program for?
- University students looking to launch a career in finance, corporate banking or investment management.
- Existing industry professionals wanting to establish or enhance their credentials.
- Professionals from other industries who want to change the focus of their careers.
Study tools to support your learning
The Learning Ecosystem is our comprehensive digital learning platform, available to all registered candidates of the CFA Program. Adaptive and mobile-friendly, it lets you learn at your own pace when and where it’s convenient for you.
Through the Learning Ecosystem, you’ll access the official program curriculum as well as study tools like practice questions, mock exams, flashcards, and more.
Valued by employers
Who do CFA Charterholders work for?
CFA Charterholders are employed by some of the world’s biggest financial institutions. These include JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Royal Bank of Canada, BofA Securities, UBS Group, HSBC Holdings, Wells Fargo and Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BlackRock, and TD Bank Financial Group.
Case Study
Find out how Moody's Investors Service is encouraging personal growth and education of its employees through the creation of a global community of CFA Institute members, CFA® charterholders and CFA® Program candidates.
Setting the standard
Employers recognize and respect the strong foundation in advanced investment analysis and portfolio management skills that the CFA Program gives you. So much so that some even make it a requirement.
Testimonials about CFA Charter
You can hire people with an MBA, but you don't necessarily know that one MBA is the same as another MBA. Whereas if you hire investment professionals with a CFA, you absolutely have confidence at the level of qualification.
The CFA® designation gives confidence to both sides of the table, to myself and my technical skills, and to the client that they're dealing with a competent professional.
The CFA (Program) journey has given me an opportunity to stand out among the crowd as not everyone opts for it. The CFA® credentials have allowed me to grow in my current company. I'm now making more informed decisions about client portfolios.
The CFA® charter has greatly helped me to perform my duties as a Risk Manager in terms of developing financial risk management techniques and of assessing the risks inherent within the bank and within different instruments that we are using in general.
Frequently asked questions
It takes three to four years to complete all three levels of the CFA Program. This takes into account the recommended study time of 300 hours per level.
To become a member and use the CFA Charterholder designation, you also need at least 4,000 hours of relevant work experience, completed in a minimum of 36 months. Work experience can be obtained whilst you study.
Based on exam fees, it costs USD 3520 – 4,600 to complete all three levels of the CFA Program and become a Charterholder (depending on whether you register for your exams during the Early or Standard registration period).
All fees are paid in US dollars. This information is correct starting with the 2026 exams.
There are three scholarships currently available for the CFA Program:
- Access Scholarship – for individuals who may not be able to afford the program fees
- Student Scholarship – for students currently attending an affiliated university
- Professor Scholarship – for full-time college / university professors or administrators / department heads
To learn more, including eligibility criteria, visit the scholarships page.
From studying through to exam day and beyond, we have a variety of resources to help you successfully complete the CFA Program. Visit CFA Program candidate resources to learn more.
CFA® Program
- Credential - 3 levels / 3 exams
- Advanced level
- 300 hours per level
- Self-paced online learning
- Learning materials included
