Sharing your CFA Institute® achievements & trademark usage guidelines
Congratulations on your CFA Institute achievement
Use these guidelines to share your status on your résumé/CV, LinkedIn, social media, and professional materials.
The guidance below helps you describe your status accurately and protect CFA Institute trademarks, consistent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
CFA Institute trademarks
CFA Institute owns a number of registered trademarks, including CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst®, as well as CIPM® and other program-related marks. These trademarks are recognized globally as indicators of professional achievement and must be used in accordance with these guidelines.
Key rule
Most common error: Don’t use the ® symbol after a person’s name.
Use: Jane Doe, CFA / Jane Doe, CIPM
Never use: Jane Doe, CFA® / Jane Doe, CIPM®
Trademark usage quick rules
- Use the registration symbol (®) the first and most prominent time each trademark is used—whether in text or in visual formats (for example, images or video). After the first use, the symbol may be dropped for all subsequent references to the same trademark within the same document or web page. For extensive documents, a best practice is to use the symbol on the first reference of each trademark on each page.
- Do not use ® after a person’s name (for example, “Jane Doe, CFA” not “Jane Doe, CFA®”).
- Use CFA Institute trademarks as adjectives with an approved “friend word.” Examples: CFA® charterholder, CFA® Program, CFA® exam, CFA® designation; CIPM® certificant, CIPM® Program, CIPM® exam, CIPM® designation.
Trademark |
Approved “friend words” (as used in the trademark guidelines) |
|---|---|
CFA® |
charterholder; Program; exam; designation |
CIPM® |
certificant; Program; exam; designation |
How to Share Your CFA Institute® Achievement
Select the program, membership, or credential you want to share for specific guidance.
At a glance
- Use the CFA Marks only to describe your current status. Don't imply partial designation, a future award date, or CFA Institute endorsement.
- You should use CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® (the “CFA Marks”) only if you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing and your right to use the designation has not been suspended or revoked. To remain in good standing, a Charterholder Member must annually complete the Professional Conduct Statement and pay membership dues.
- Use of the CFA Marks is governed by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct (including Standard VII(B)) and applicable law. A Charterholder Member who is not in good standing may lose membership in CFA Institute and the right to use the designation. Improper use of CFA Institute trademarks may also result in enforcement action, including suspension or revocation of usage rights where appropriate.
The trademarks CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are intended for use whenever the certification mark cannot be used.
The CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® trademarks should be used in the text of magazine and newspaper articles, interviews, books, advertising, and in textual or verbal contexts where use of the certification mark is impossible or impractical. When these marks are used in these contexts or applications, charterholders should carefully advise reporters, authors, editors, publishers, and others as to the guidelines for proper usage.
The CFA® trademark must not be used generically (as a noun) and should only be used as an adjective. The trademark becomes generic when it is used as a common name for a category of products or services. References to all facial tissues as Kleenexes, all photocopies as Xeroxes, and all financial analysts as “CFAs” are improper and are considered generic. If the use becomes generic, CFA® charterholders lose their exclusive use of these valuable marks. If you are using the marks correctly, you should be able to omit the CFA from a sentence and still have the sentence make sense. For example, “John Smith is a CFA charterholder.”
Digital badges
CFA Institute issues official digital badges as you progress through the CFA Program and when you earn the charter. Share badges using the badge provider’s tools (for example, LinkedIn, email, or social media).
- Add a verified badge to your LinkedIn profile.
- Share your credential with employers or professional contacts.
Badges verify the credential earned, the badge holder, and the issue date.
Use only official badges as issued to reflect your current status. Don’t alter, recreate, or redesign a badge.
Examples
- Permitted: Share the official badge from the badge provider
- Not permitted: Edit the badge image or create a look-alike badge
Resume / CV
CFA charterholders
On a résumé/CV, you should:
- Use the letters after your name: Jane Doe, CFA.
- List it in Education/Certifications (example): CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute.
- Don’t use CFA as a job title or in a plural/possessive form.
In running text (not immediately after a person’s name), include ® on the first and most prominent use (for example, “CFA® charterholder”).
Examples
- Permitted: Jane Doe, CFA / Certifications: CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute
- Not permitted: CFA Jane Doe / Senior CFA Analyst
CFA Program candidates
If you are registered for an upcoming CFA Program exam (or awaiting results), use an approved candidate statement. If you are not currently registered, describe your progress factually (for example, “Passed Level I of the CFA Program”).
- CFA Program candidate (only if you are registered for an upcoming exam or awaiting results)
- Passed Level I of the CFA Program
You should not imply you have earned any portion of the CFA charter or that you will earn it by a future date.
Examples
- Permitted: CFA Program candidate / Passed Level I of the CFA Program
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CFA (expected 2026) / Jane Doe, CFA (expected 2028)
CFA charterholders
- If you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing, you should add CFA after your name.
- You should add your official digital badge (for example, as a Featured item).
- You should describe your charterholder status in the License and Certification field and include the appropriate expiry date.
Candidates
If you passed all three levels but have not been awarded the charter, describe your status factually (for example, “Passed all three levels of the CFA Program; charter award is contingent on meeting applicable work experience and membership requirements”).
- If you are a candidate, you should not add CFA after your name.
- You should not list expected exam dates or imply an expected charter award.
Your profile should always reflect your current status.
Examples
- Permitted (CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing only): Name: Jane Doe, CFA
- Permitted (candidate): About: Passed Level I of the CFA Program
- Not permitted (candidate): Name: Jane Doe, CFA / About: CFA (expected 2026) / CFA charter pending
Social media
On social media and other digital platforms, describe your CFA status accurately and based on your current status.
- You may use CFA after your name only if you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing.
- Candidates should describe candidacy or exam results factually (for example, CFA Program candidate or Passed Level I of the CFA Program).
- Don’t imply a partial designation, an expected charter award date, or endorsement.
Examples
- Permitted (candidate): Excited to share I passed Level I of the CFA Program
- Not permitted (candidate): Proud to be a CFA Level I / CFA certified / CFA Institute endorsed my investment approach
Professional materials
If you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing, you should use CFA after your name on business cards and similar professional materials.
Examples
- Permitted: Jane Doe, CFA (only if you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing)
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CFA® / Jane Doe, CFA Wealth Manager / Company name/product/URL using CFA marks (for example, CFA Wealth Learning)
CFA certification mark (logo)
The Certification Mark is used by charterholders as a distinctive visual symbol of the CFA designation that can be easily recognized by employers, colleagues, and clients. In essence, use this mark as a seal of quality and integrity.
Download the print version or digital version.
- Use the Certification Mark as a visual symbol of the CFA designation, placed in close proximity to your name.
- Use only official, camera-ready artwork provided by CFA Institute; do not alter, modify, redraw, or recreate the mark.
- Use black on light backgrounds, or reverse to white on dark backgrounds, so it remains clearly legible.
- Do not use the Certification Mark as part of a company name or company logo.
- If the Certification Mark is used to identify a group of people, each person listed must be a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing.
Examples
At a glance
Use the CIPM Marks only to describe your current status. Don’t imply partial attainment, a future award date, or CFA Institute endorsement.
- You should use CIPM® only if the designation has been awarded and you are a CFA Institute member in good standing and your right to use the designation has not been suspended or revoked.
- Use of the CIPM Marks is governed by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct (including Standard VII(B)) and applicable law.
Digital badges
CFA Institute issues official CIPM® digital badges to CIPM certificants and candidates. Share badges only as issued to reflect your current status—don’t alter, recreate, or redesign a badge.
Examples
- Permitted: Add your official CIPM® badge to a professional profile using the badge provider’s verification link
- Not permitted: Create or edit a badge graphic (for example, a self-made “CIPM badge”)
Resume / CV
CIPM certificants
On a résumé/CV, you should:
- Use the letters after your name: Jane Doe, CIPM.
- List it in Education/Certifications (example): CIPM® certificant, CFA Institute.
- Don’t use CIPM as a job title or in a plural/possessive form.
Examples
- Permitted: Jane Doe, CIPM
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CIPM® / CIPM Jane Doe
CIPM Program candidates
If you are a candidate, describe your status using one of these statements:
- CIPM Program candidate
- Passed CIPM Level I
You should not imply you have earned any portion of the CIPM designation or that you will earn it by a future date.
Examples
- Permitted (candidate): CIPM Program candidate / Passed CIPM Level I
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CIPM Level I / Jane Doe, CIPM (expected 2026)
CIPM certificants
- If the designation has been awarded and you are a CFA Institute member in good standing, you should add CIPM after your name.
- You should add your official digital badge (for example, as a Featured item).
- You should describe your CIPM certificant status in the Licenses/Certifications.
Candidates
- If you are a candidate, you should not add CIPM after your name.
- You should not list expected exam dates or imply an expected award date.
- Your profile should reflect your current status.
Examples
- Permitted (CIPM certificant): Name: Jane Doe, CIPM
- Not permitted (candidate): Name: Jane Doe, CIPM / About: CIPM (expected 2026) / CIPM designation pending
Social media
On social media and other digital platforms, describe your CIPM status accurately and based on your current status.
- CIPM certificants may use CIPM after their name only if the designation has been awarded and they are a CFA Institute member in good standing.
- Candidates should describe candidacy or exam results factually (for example, CIPM Program candidate or Passed CIPM Level I).
- Don’t imply partial attainment, an expected award date, or endorsement.
Examples
- Permitted (candidate): CIPM Program candidate
- Not permitted (candidate): Proud to be CIPM Level I / CIPM certified / CFA Institute endorsed our firm’s performance measurement process
Professional materials
If the designation has been awarded and you are a CFA Institute member in good standing, you may use CIPM after your name on business cards and similar professional materials.
- Permitted: Jane Doe, CIPM (only if the designation has been awarded and you are a CFA Institute member in good standing)
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CIPM® / Jane Doe, CIPM Performance Manager / Company name/product/URL using CIPM marks (for example, CIPM Analytics)
At a glance
Reference a certificate only after you complete it, and use the certificate name exactly as issued.
Digital badges
CFA Institute issues official digital badges for completed certificates. Share badges only as issued—don’t alter, recreate, or redesign a badge.
Examples
- Permitted: Add the official certificate badge to your profile after you complete the certificate
- Not permitted: Modify the badge or create a self-made “certificate badge”
Resume / CV and LinkedIn
On a résumé/CV or LinkedIn, you should include:
- Full certificate name (not abbreviated)
- Year earned
- Issuing organization (CFA Institute)
Do not abbreviate certificate names unless explicitly permitted.
Examples
- Permitted: Certificates: [Full Certificate Name], CFA Institute (2026) / LinkedIn Licenses & Certifications: [Full Certificate Name] (CFA Institute), completed 2026
- Not permitted: Certificates: [Abbreviated Certificate Acronym] (2026) / Jane Doe, [Certificate Acronym]
Social media
- Reference a certificate only after you complete it.
- Use the full certificate name and avoid abbreviations unless explicitly permitted.
Examples
- Permitted: I completed the [Full Certificate Name] certificate from CFA Institute / Just completed the [Full Certificate Name] from CFA Institute (2026) / Sharing my official CFA Institute certificate badge for the [Full Certificate Name]
- Not permitted: I’m CFA Institute certified in [abbreviated certificate name] / Adding the certificate as letters after your name (for example, “Jane Doe, SIC”) / Claiming you are “licensed” or “certified by CFA Institute” because you completed a certificate
Professional materials
Certificates are not designations and should not be added after your name on business cards, email signatures, letterhead, bios, or other professional materials. Instead, list the certificate as a separate credential line (or in a credentials section) using the full certificate name exactly as issued, plus CFA Institute and the year completed.
Do not use certificate abbreviations or create post-nominals (for example, do not use “Sustainable Investing Certificate” as letters after your name).
Examples
- Permitted: Jane Doe, Awarded Sustainable Investing Certificate, CFA Institute, 2026
- Permitted: Credentials: Sustainable Investing Certificate, CFA Institute (2026) / Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA Institute), completed 2026
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, Sustainable Investing Certificate / Jane Doe, SIC / Jane Doe, CFA Institute Certified / Sustainable Investing Certificate Specialist / Company/product/URL or email address using the certificate name or any CFA Institute marks
Key rule
Use: Professional Affiliations: Associate member, CFA Institute
Never use: Jane Doe, CFA / Jane Doe CFA®
At a glance
Associate membership is a membership status, not a designation. Describe it accurately (for example, “Associate member, CFA Institute”) and never use “CFA” after your name.
This section applies to CFA Institute Associate membership. You should describe membership accurately and not present membership as a credential, license, or endorsement.
You should:
- State your Associate membership accurately, if you reference it.
- Reference Associate membership only in descriptive running text (not as letters after your name).
- Place it in an appropriate section (for example, memberships or professional affiliations), not in the licenses & certifications line.
- Keep wording factual and tied to your current status (membership, not a designation, license, or certification).
You should not:
- Use any letters after your name for Associate membership (no post-nominals). Associate members must never use “CFA” after their name (e.g., never “Jane Doe, CFA” or “Jane Doe, AM”).
- Imply licensure, certification, or CFA Institute endorsement.
- Use CFA Institute logos or marks without authorization.
Digital badges
CFA Institute does not issue a digital badge for Associate membership. Do not create or share any self-made “Associate member” badge.
Examples
- Permitted: List “Associate member, CFA Institute” as text (for example, in a Memberships/Professional Affiliations section)
- Not permitted: Create or share a self-made “Associate member” badge or graphic
Resume / CV and LinkedIn
On a résumé/CV or LinkedIn, you should reference Associate membership in a descriptive line. On LinkedIn, the Organizations section is an appropriate place to list CFA Institute Associate membership. Do not present membership as a designation or certification.
- List membership in a section such as Organizations, Professional Affiliations, Memberships, or Professional Development
- Do not put CFA after your name, and do not use “Associate member” as letters after your name
Examples
- Permitted: LinkedIn Organizations: Associate member, CFA Institute / Professional Affiliations: Associate member, CFA Institute / Memberships: Associate member, CFA Institute / LinkedIn About: Associate member, CFA Institute
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CFA / Jane Doe, AM
Social media
On social media and other digital platforms, describe Associate membership accurately and avoid implying licensure, certification, or endorsement.
Examples
- Permitted: About: Associate member, CFA Institute
- Not permitted (Associate member): Name: Jane Doe, CFA / Jane Doe, CFA Associate Member / Jane Doe, CFA Institute Associate Member
- Not permitted: “CFA Institute certified” / “Licensed by CFA Institute”
Professional materials
On business cards, email signatures, and similar professional materials, you may only reference Associate membership in running text or a brief descriptor line. Do not use it as a designation after your name.
Examples
- Permitted: Associate member, CFA Institute
- Not permitted: Jane Doe, CFA / Jane Doe, Associate member
Help & Additional Guidance
If you are unsure whether a specific use is permitted, contact CFA Institute before publishing. For official policy and definitions, refer to the resources below (including Standard VII(B) on reference to CFA Institute, the CFA designation, and programs).
- The Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
- The CFA Institute Bylaws (PDF)
- Standard VII(B) regarding reference to CFA Institute, the CFA designation, and programs
- For trademark questions or to report potential misuse, contact CFA Institute Legal Services Group at [email protected].
This guidance is illustrative and not exhaustive. Additional restrictions may apply depending on context, applicable law, or CFA Institute policies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You should separate the designation from your name with a comma.
Example: Jane Doe, CFA
No. When the designation follows an individual’s name, do not include the registration symbol.
Examples: Jane Doe, CFA (not Jane Doe, CFA®) / Jane Doe, CIPM (not Jane Doe, CIPM®)
No mandated order. If you list multiple designations, you should place them after your name and avoid embedding them in job titles.
Example: Jane Doe, CFA, CIPM (or Jane Doe, CIPM, CFA)
No. You should use CFA after your name only if you are a CFA Institute Charterholder Member in good standing and your right to use the CFA designation has not been suspended or revoked.
No. Associate membership is not a designation, and Associate members must never use CFA after their name.
Example: Jane Doe — Associate member, CFA Institute (not Jane Doe, CFA)
No. Passing an exam level is not a designation and should not appear as letters after your name. Describe your progress in a sentence instead.
Example: Passed Level I of the CFA Program (not Jane Doe, CFA Level I)
Describe your status factually and avoid phrases like “charter pending.”
Example: Passed all three levels of the CFA Program; charter award is contingent on meeting applicable work experience and membership requirements.
Never use ® after an individual’s name (post-nominals). Example: Jane Doe, CFA (not Jane Doe, CFA®). In running text, use ® with the first and most prominent use of each trademark, paired with an approved “friend word.”
Example: Jane Doe is a CFA® charterholder.
For webpages, use ® with the first and most prominent use of each mark on each webpage and the first use in a section of text. Where marks are used on a webpage (or in social media “About/Bio” areas), include this notice: CFA®, Chartered Financial Analyst®, CIPM®, and GIPS® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
No. Use CFA Program candidate (only if you are registered for an upcoming exam or awaiting results). If you are not currently registered, describe your progress factually (for example, “Passed Level I of the CFA Program”).
No. Do not use CFA Institute marks in business names, branding, or identifiers in a way that suggests affiliation, endorsement, or a credential for an entity rather than an individual.