Editing Chartered Financial Analyst (section)

== CFA Charter ==
The CFA designation is designed to demonstrate a strong foundation in advanced investment analysis and portfolio management, accompanied by a strict emphasis on ethical practice.

A charter holder is held to the highest ethical standards. Once an investment professional obtains the charter, this individual also makes an annual commitment to uphold and abide by a strict professional code of conduct and ethical standards. Violations of the CFA code of ethics may result in industry-related sanctions, suspension of the right to use the CFA designation, or a revocation of membership.

===Requirements===
To become a CFA charter-holder, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Zee |date=22 Dec 2024 |title=CFA Requirements: How to Become A CFA Charterholder |url=https://300hours.com/cfa-requirements/ |access-date=2021-04-13 |website=300hours.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Have obtained a bachelor's (or equivalent) degree or be in the final year of a bachelor's degree program. However, an accredited degree may not always be a requirement.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Membership Requirements|url=http://www.cfainstitute.org/about/membership/process/Pages/index.aspx|access-date=2015-11-23|website=Cfainstitute.org|archive-date=2013-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424102748/http://www.cfainstitute.org/about/membership/process/Pages/index.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Pass all three levels of the CFA program (mastery of the current CFA curriculum and passing three examinations).
* Have 4,000 hours in a minimum of three years of qualified work experience acceptable by the CFA Institute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 Oct 2024 |title=CFA Work Experience Requirements: A Crystal Clear Guide |url=https://300hours.com/cfa-work-experience-requirements/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=300hours.com |language=en-US}}</ref> However, individual-level exams may be taken prior to satisfying this requirement.
* Have two or three letters of reference.
* Become a member of the CFA Institute.
* Adhere to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Due to the timing of the exams, completing all three levels of the CFA is possible within two years,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Macon |first=Sophie |title=Plan Your CFA Registration With Our Free Journey Planner |url=https://300hours.com/cfa-registration-journey-planner/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=300hours.com |language=en-US}}</ref> but candidates must still complete the work experience requirement of 4,000 hours over a minimum of three years to become a charter-holder.

=== Pass rates ===
The CFA exams are notoriously difficult, with low pass rates. During the period 2014–2024, pass rates for Levels 1-3 ranged from 22-59%.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |title=CFA Pass Rates: How Hard Are The CFA Exams? |url=https://300hours.com/cfa-pass-rates/ |access-date=17 Jan 2025 |website=300Hours |language=en}}</ref> The CFA Level 1 examination in May 2021 and July 2021 made news headlines after plummeting to a record-low pass rate of 25% and 22%, respectively,<ref>{{Cite web|title=CFA Pass Rates: How Hard Are The CFA Exams? - 300Hours|url=https://300hours.com/cfa-pass-rates/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=300hours.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=CFA exams: high fail rate sets flunkees speculating|url=https://www.ft.com/content/40f33d0a-7566-48a0-97e5-4189821375c4|url-status=live|website=Financial Times|date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802112002/https://www.ft.com/content/40f33d0a-7566-48a0-97e5-4189821375c4 |archive-date=2021-08-02 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=News|first=Bloomberg|date=2021-07-27|title=CFA Pass Rate Plummets to Record Low of 25% for Level 1 Exam - BNN Bloomberg|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/cfa-pass-rate-plummets-to-record-low-of-25-for-level-1-exam-1.1633373|access-date=2021-08-03|website=BNN}}</ref> and in August 2021, the level 2 pass rate fell to 29%.<ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-21/cfa-pass-rate-slides-again-to-new-low-of-29-for-level-ii-exam CFA Level II Exam Pass Rate Is Lowest Ever at 29%]</ref>