Compare membership types

Charter membership represents the pinnacle for those who have earned the charter, while Professional and Associate memberships support professionals across early, mid- and senior-stage investment and finance careers.

Key eligibility requirements

Completion of the CFA Program, 4,000 hours of eligible work experience and professional references.

Benefit highlights include

Learning & insight

Access to digital Financial Analysts Journal, Refresher Readings, data resources and more.

Career advancement

Member Compensation Study and senior-level career content.
Access to the CFA Institute Career Library.

Network & community

Volunteer opportunities.
Access to the Membership Directory.

Use of CFA designation check
Voting rights check

Key eligibility requirements

Educational qualification, 4,000 hours of work experience, and professional references.

Benefit highlights include

Learning & insight

Access to Practical Skills Modules, research content, and data sets.

Career advancement

Career support tailored to mid-level and senior professionals.
Curated job alerts to help you grow and explore new paths.

Network & community

Access to a members-only LinkedIn group.

Use of CFA designation close
Voting rights check

Key eligibility requirements

Current or past participation in a CFA Institute education program.

Benefit highlights include

Learning & insight

Member-only newsletters and learning content.

Career advancement

Early access to Job Board listings, insights on compensation, and career tools.
Access to early-career learning experiences, including member-exclusive webinars and workshops.

Network & community

Early career access to a members-only network through conferences, socials, and member meetups.

Use of CFA designation close
Voting rights close

* Pricing varies by country, including reduced rates for eligible markets. See final pricing during application.
[1] Associate membership in India will be available late 2026.
[2] Associate membership is not available in the Chinese Mainland. CFA Institute membership will continue to consist of CFA Charterholders only in compliance with local regulations.

Please refer to the CFA Institute membership dues refund policy on details around cancellation, refund, and policies after purchase

Your membership grows with your career

Associate membership provides early-career connection and momentum. Professional membership offers learning and networking for those in mid-career. And Charterholder membership is reserved for leaders who have earned the CFA® charter and who set the standard for professional investment management.

Affiliate membership

Individuals who are not qualified for the CFA charter or Professional membership can align with CFA Institute and take advantage of member benefits through Affiliate membership. You must select a Society and meet that Society's eligibility requirements to become an Affiliate member.

Choose a CFA Society®

Frequently asked questions

Which membership should I choose?

Qualifications for the different types of membership vary. See below to determine which one is the right fit for you.

Professional membership: If you have not completed all three levels of the CFA Program but you have at least 4000 hours of relevant experience, completed in a minimum of of 36 months, we recommend applying to become a Professional member. You must also have a bachelor's degree or equivalent education or work experience and a passing score for the Level I CFA Exam, CIPM® Program Level II Exam, RBA Netherlands exam, or the self-administered Standards of Practice exam or be an ASIP holder.

Associate membership: If you are currently enrolled or enrolling in, or have previously completed a CFA Institute educational product and are not a current or former Charterholder or Professional member we encourage you to become an Associate member. Associate membership does not require an application process. Qualified educational products include:

CFA Program
CIPM Program
Investment Foundations (note: the student version is not eligible)
Any Sustainable Investing or ESG Certificate
Any Private Markets Certificate
Any Data Science Certificate

Note: Associate membership in India will be available late 2026. Associate membership is not available in Mainland China. CFA Institute membership in this region will continue to consist of CFA Charterholders only in compliance with local regulations.

What are the differences in benefits between the membership types?

All CFA Institute memberships provide benefit packages suitable for a member’s career stage. All provide access to career tools and content, learning opportunities, and datasets, as well as discounts on CFA Institute offerings and select vendors.

Both Charterholder and Professional memberships are voting classes, allowing those members to participate in the Annual Meeting of Members and vote on leadership and bylaws changes. Only Charterholder members are permitted to use the CFA designation. (i.e. John A. Smith, CFA).

More information about each membership type can be found at:

Charterholder
Professional
Associate

Can I change my membership type as I grow my career?

You can move from Associate membership to Professional or Charterholder membership when you are eligible. Please note that membership dues are non-transferable. We do not prorate or apply credits when you change your membership type, including changes made within the same membership year. You may wish to consider the timing of any change relative to your current membership term.

What is the difference between CFA Institute and CFA Society membership?

CFA Institute memberships provide a global perspective while Society membership allows members to engage with their local investment community. Although a part of the global society network, each society operates independently. Separate dues are required for CFA Institute and CFA Societies. Please note that each society may offer differing types of membership.