What are the CFA work experience requirements?

by | Feb 28, 2025 | Uncategorized

Are you considering becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)? One of the most prestigious designations in the finance world, the CFA certification opens doors to a wealth of opportunities and provides an in-depth understanding of financial analysis, portfolio management, and ethical standards. But before you can earn that coveted CFA title, there are several key steps and requirements you'll need to meet, including work experience. If you’re wondering, What are the CFA work experience requirements?, you’ve come to the right place.

At TakeMyCFAExam.com, we’re here to help you navigate the journey toward CFA success, and that includes understanding all the prerequisites for certification. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the CFA work experience requirements what counts, how to track it, and how it ties into your path to CFA success. Let’s get started.

What is the CFA Work Experience Requirement?

To become a CFA charter holder, there are three primary components you need to complete: passing all three levels of the CFA exams (Level I, II, and III), earning a bachelor's degree or being in your final year of university, and meeting the CFA work experience requirement.

The work experience requirement is straightforward but critical: you must have at least four years of professional work experience in an investment-related role. This experience doesn’t have to be completed before you take the exams, but you must meet it before receiving the CFA designation. The four years of experience can be accumulated before, during, or after completing the CFA exams.

But here's the twist: It doesn’t just have to be any job in finance. The work experience must be related to investment decision-making or the analysis of investments in some capacity. We’ll explore this in more detail, but first, let’s understand the broader picture.

What Types of Work Count Toward the CFA Work Experience Requirement?

To clarify, not every finance-related job qualifies as work experience for CFA purposes. The CFA Institute outlines the types of professional experience that are considered relevant to the CFA program. Generally, the experience must involve tasks that relate directly to investment decision-making and professional financial analysis.

Here are some common job roles that typically count:

  • Investment Analyst: Working directly with research and analysis of financial markets, securities, and investment strategies.

  • Portfolio Manager: Overseeing investment portfolios, including making decisions on asset allocation and investment selection.

  • Research Analyst: Conducting in-depth research on market trends, financial instruments, and economic data.

  • Trader: Executing trades in the financial markets and managing risks associated with trading positions.

  • Risk Manager: Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating financial risks.

  • Financial Consultant: Providing clients with investment advice and creating financial plans.

In essence, if your role involves assessing financial data, making investment recommendations, or managing assets, it’s likely to count toward your CFA work experience requirement.

What Doesn’t Count?

On the flip side, jobs that do not directly contribute to investment decision-making or analysis won’t fulfill the work experience requirement. These could include roles such as:

  • Administrative jobs in finance that don’t involve analysis or decision-making.

  • Sales positions without a focus on investment products.

  • Non-finance related roles, even if you’re employed at a finance firm.

The work experience must involve tasks that are directly relevant to financial analysis, investment management, or decision-making, so it's important to review the specific duties involved in your role.

How Do You Track Your CFA Work Experience?

Once you start gaining relevant work experience, you’ll need to track it accurately. The CFA Institute requires you to submit details about your work history as part of your CFA application, including the time spent in investment related roles and a description of your responsibilities.

To make things easier, consider keeping a detailed record of your roles, the projects you’ve worked on, and the skills you’ve gained. You’ll need to provide this information when you submit your work experience to the CFA Institute for review.

Keep in mind that CFA work experience must be verified by a supervisor or colleague who can vouch for your work and attest to your contributions. It's always a good idea to get a supervisor’s confirmation early on to ensure that everything is documented properly.

When Can You Submit Your Work Experience?

While you can begin your CFA exams and even complete all three levels before meeting the work experience requirement, the CFA Institute won’t grant you the full charter until your work experience is verified. This means you need to submit your work experience for review as soon as you've accumulated the necessary four years.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait until you’ve completed the exams to submit your work experience. In fact, you can submit work experience while you're still in the process of completing the exams. However, if you're planning to pursue a CFA charter, make sure you have the required experience documented and verified by the time you’re ready for final approval.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the CFA Work Experience Requirement

1. Can I Count Internships as CFA Work Experience?

Unfortunately, internships typically do not count as work experience for the CFA program. Work experience must be gained in a paid, professional capacity. However, if you gain substantial, relevant experience during your internship that involves making investment decisions or financial analysis, it might be worth discussing with the CFA Institute.

2. Does Part-Time Work Count Toward CFA Experience?

Yes, part-time work can count toward the CFA work experience requirement. As long as the work is relevant to investment decision-making and amounts to at least four years of experience, it can be considered.

3. Can Volunteer Work Be Counted for CFA Experience?

Volunteer work doesn’t typically count toward CFA work experience unless it involves investment-related tasks and responsibilities. For example, managing a charity’s investment portfolio could qualify, but simply volunteering in administrative or non finance roles would not.

4. What Happens if I Don’t Have Enough Work Experience?

If you don’t have enough relevant work experience, you can still take the CFA exams, but you won’t be able to earn the CFA designation until you meet the experience requirement. You may continue to work in investment-related roles and submit your experience once it reaches four years.

5. Is the CFA Work Experience Requirement the Same for All Levels of the Exam?

Yes, the work experience requirement is the same regardless of which level of the CFA exam you're taking. You can submit work experience after completing all three levels or even after Level I, but full certification won’t be granted until you’ve met the requirement.

Final Thoughts: Navigating the CFA Work Experience Journey

Becoming a CFA charter holder is an incredible achievement that opens up a world of opportunities in the financial industry. While the exams can be challenging, the work experience requirement ensures that candidates have practical, hands-on experience in the field, making them truly qualified to handle complex financial analysis and investment decisions.

At TakeMyCFAExam.com, we understand that the path to CFA success can feel like a long one, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. From helping you prepare for your exams to understanding the work experience requirements, we’re committed to your success.

Now that you know what the CFA work experience requirements are, it’s time to take the next step toward achieving your CFA certification. Keep gaining relevant experience, track it carefully, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to joining the ranks of the world’s most respected finance professionals.

Ready to start your CFA journey? Contact us today at TakeMyCFAExam.com for expert tips, resources, and personalized support on your path to CFA success.