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CFA Institute offers investment industry educational programs that are recognized and respected around the world. See which one best fits your career goals.

CFA^® Program	Portfolio and wealth managers, investment and research analysts, professionals involved in the investment decision-making process, and finance students who want to work in the investment management profession	Approximately 4 years to complete 3 exams (Level I, II, and III)	Yes. You must have one of the following: Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree (or be in the final year of bachelor’s degree program) 4 years of professional work experience A combination of professional work and university experience that totals at least 4 years	Successfully pass the 3 exams Have 4 years of professional work experience in the investment decision-making process (accrued before, during, or after passing the exams) Join CFA Institute as a regular member	CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst^®) charter More about the CFA Program
CIPM^® Program	Portfolio managers, investment consultants, financial advisors, sales & client service professionals, and other investment professionals involved in selecting portfolio managers, evaluating portfolio performance, or communicating with clients	A minimum of one year	No	Successfully pass the two exams (Levels I and II) Have two years of specific professional experience* in investment performancerelated activities or four years in the investment decisionmaking process A combination of professional work and university experience that totals at least 4 years *Professional experience may be accrued before, during, or after participation in the CIPM exams.	CIPM designation More about the CIPM Program
Investment Foundations^® Program	Anyone who works with or supports investment decisionmakers in the investment management profession	Up to 6 months to prepare for 1 exam	No	Successfully pass the exam	CFA Institute Investment Foundations certificate More about the Investment Foundations Program

CFA^® Program

Portfolio and wealth managers, investment and research analysts, professionals involved in the investment decision-making process, and finance students who want to work in the investment management profession

Approximately 4 years to complete 3 exams (Level I, II, and III)

Yes. You must have one of the following:

Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree (or be in the final year of bachelor’s degree program)
4 years of professional work experience
A combination of professional work and university experience that totals at least 4 years

Successfully pass the 3 exams
Have 4 years of professional work experience in the investment decision-making process (accrued before, during, or after passing the exams)
Join CFA Institute as a regular member

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst^®) charter

More about the CFA Program

CIPM^® Program

Portfolio managers, investment consultants, financial advisors, sales & client service professionals, and other investment professionals involved in selecting portfolio managers, evaluating portfolio performance, or communicating with clients

A minimum of one year

Successfully pass the two exams (Levels I and II)
Have two years of specific professional experience* in investment performancerelated activities or four years in the investment decisionmaking process
A combination of professional work and university experience that totals at least 4 years

*Professional experience may be accrued before, during, or after participation in the CIPM exams.

CIPM designation

More about the CIPM Program

Investment Foundations^® Program

Anyone who works with or supports investment decisionmakers in the investment management profession

Up to 6 months to prepare for 1 exam

Successfully pass the exam

CFA Institute Investment Foundations certificate

More about the Investment Foundations Program

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