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Course of Study

BECOME A CANDIDATE

As a CFA Program candidate, your course of study is determined by the Candidate Body of Knowledge® (CBOK). The CBOK is grounded in practice. This means that panels and surveys of current investment professionals have determined the knowledge, skills, and abilities you'll need to succeed in the workplace. This practice analysis involves thousands of charterholders across the world and helps determine the CBOK, which is the framework for the curriculum and examinations

1. Fulfill the entrance requirements. You must:
Have a U.S. bachelor's (or equivalent) degree, be in the final year of your bachelor's degree program, or have four years of qualified, professional work experience or a combination of work and college experience that totals at least four years
Meet the professional conduct admission criteria
Be prepared to take the examinations in English

2. Sign up for your first exam.
Enrolling for the first exam also registers you as a candidate in the CFA Program. Requires one-time registration fee in addition to exam enrollment fee.

MAINTAIN YOUR CANDIDATE STATUS

You must maintain a commitment to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct a commitment that cannot be taken lightly and demands that, above all else, you put the interests of your clients first. There is nothing that CFA Institute does that is more important than promoting and enforcing the use of the Code and Standards among members and candidates.

BECOME A CHARTERHOLDER

1. Pass each of the Level I, II, and III exams.
It requires a minimum of 300 hours of study or more depending on individual circumstances.

2. Meet the work experience requirements.

3. Become a member of CFA Institute.

4. Receive your official status. We will notify you when you have completed all requirements and can begin using the CFA designation; you will have the option to receive the charter by mail or during an award ceremony provided by your society.

5. Maintain your Charterholder status. Follow CFA Institute guidelines for CFA Charterholdershttp://www.cfainstitute.org/about/membership/process/Pages/maintain_charterholder_status.aspx.