CFA · Practical guide

CFA eligibility and charter requirements

Check entry requirements first. Earning the charter is a separate milestone with different work-experience rules.

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Check your route

Which entry route should you check?

I have a degreeI am a studentI use work + education

I have a degree

Have a completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Check equivalence with your university if uncertain.

Candidate situation

A completed degree can satisfy the education route. You must still meet the other enrollment conditions.

This explains a route, not a decision that you qualify. Check all official conditions and contact CFA Institute about ambiguous cases.

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What to do next

Entry and charter checks

Personal reminders only. Checks are not verified or saved after leaving this page.

0 of 3 reminders checked

Confirm the other entry conditionsCheck passport, English-language exam and participating-country requirements. The education/work route is only one part of enrollment.Official source (new tab)
Keep charter experience separateCharter membership requires 4,000 eligible hours over at least 36 months. Describe how your work contributes to investment decisions or informs that process.Official source (new tab)
Prepare the charter applicationComplete the program, document qualifying work and provide three references, or two when one is a Professional member of your chosen society. Obtain membership approval before claiming the charter.Official source (new tab)

Sources

Dates and policies can change; the official source and your registered account control.

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