CFA Institute Misuse Program
Learn how CFA Institute addresses misuse and upholds professional standards.
The CFA Institute Misuse Program protects the integrity of CFA Institute membership, the CFA® designation, and the CFA Program by addressing violations of Standard VII(B): Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program.
What is the Misuse Program?
The CFA® Institute Misuse Program helps protect the integrity of CFA Institute programs, membership, and professional designations (CFA Program designation) by addressing the improper use or misrepresentation of:
• The CFA designation
• CFA Institute Charterholder status
The program supports compliance with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, including Standard VII(B): Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program.
Why it matters
The CFA designation and CFA Program are recognized globally for setting the highest Standards of Ethics and Professionalism.
The Misuse Program helps:
• Protect the value of the CFA charter and CFA Program.
• Promote fairness across the CFA community.
• Support public confidence in CFA Institute members and candidates.
• Encourage compliance with professional conduct requirements.
Complying with the Standards is our priority.
What may constitute misuse?
Examples may include:
- Using the CFA designation after membership has lapsed.
- Misrepresenting CFA Institute Charterholder status.
- Misstating CFA Program participation or exam results.
- Improperly referencing CFA Institute, the CFA designation, or CFA candidacy.
- Omitting the expiry date from your Licences and Certifications entry on LinkedIn constitutes misuse if your charter has lapsed.
Passing the Level III exam does not entitle you to use the designation until you have been awarded your charter.
Potential matters may be identified through publicly available information, reported concerns, or other sources.
Resolution process
When a potential misuse matter is identified, CFA Institute seeks to resolve the issue through a fair and transparent process.
Individuals are provided with an opportunity to respond and, where appropriate, resolve the matter by:
• Correcting or removing improper references.
• Renewing membership, when eligible.
A response is generally required within 21 days of receiving a Notice of Summary Suspension.
Most matters can be resolved through cooperation and voluntary compliance.
Failure to respond or cooperate may result in disciplinary action under the CFA Institute Rules of Procedure.
It is important that members ensure their contact information and account details are kept accurate and up to date within their CFA Institute account.
Reinstatement and membership questions
Individuals with questions regarding membership status, designation usage, or reinstatement options are encouraged to contact the Misuse Program for assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Misuse notices, suspensions & corrections
- I received a Notice of Summary Suspension. What should I do?
Review the notice carefully and respond within 21 days, as stated in the notice. If you need assistance understanding what needs to be corrected, review Standard VII(B): Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program in the CFA Institute Standards of Practice Handbook.
- What should I do after receiving a Notice of Summary Suspension and decide to cease use of the CFA® designation?
Once you have ceased use of the CFA designation, please notify the Misuse Program so your compliance can be reviewed and the matter resolved promptly.
- What should I do if I believe I received a CFA Institute misuse notice by mistake?
Please contact the Misuse Program and provide any information that may help us review the matter. We will review the circumstances and work with you toward an appropriate resolution.
- What happens if I do not respond to or cooperate with the Misuse Program?
If you do not respond to or cooperate with the notice, a restriction will be placed on your CFA Institute account, and the summary suspension will automatically convert to a revocation of your CFA Institute membership and your right to use the CFA designation.
Membership & renewal
- How do I renew my CFA Institute membership?
You can renew your membership through your CFA Institute account. Once you renew your membership and fulfill all membership requirements, you may resume using the CFA designation. Renewing your membership does not confer charterholder status or the right to use the CFA designation if you have not been awarded the CFA charter.
- I am unable to log in to renew my membership because my account is restricted. What should I do?
An account restriction may be related to a Professional Conduct matter. Please contact the Misuse Program to confirm the reason for the restriction and the steps needed to resolve it.
When contacting us, please use the same email address associated with your CFA Institute account.
Eligibility & proper use of the CFA designation
- How can I check if I am eligible to use the CFA® designation?
You must be an active CFA charterholder and meet CFA Institute membership requirements to use the CFA designation. You can check your current membership status by logging in to your CFA Institute account.
- Where can I find the rules for correctly using the CFA designation and referring to the CFA Program?
Guidance is available under Standard VII(B): Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program in the CFA Institute Standards of Practice Handbook.
- Does listing the CFA® designation in the Licenses & Certifications section of my LinkedIn profile constitute misuse?
If your CFA Institute membership is no longer active, the listing must accurately reflect your status. Add the appropriate expiration date to the credential to clearly indicate that it is no longer active.
Displaying the credential as current after your membership has lapsed may constitute misuse under Standard VII(B).
- How should I update my LinkedIn profile if my membership has lapsed and I do not wish to renew it?
Remove the CFA designation from your name and any sections that imply you are an active CFA charterholder. Where applicable, update LinkedIn licenses and certifications to accurately reflect the period during which your credential was active.
Reporting misuse
- How do I report someone who may be misusing the CFA designation or misrepresenting their CFA Program status?
If you believe someone may be misusing the CFA® designation or misrepresenting their CFA Program status, please submit a report through CFA Institute’s Report Misconduct process and provide any relevant supporting information.