Share your achievements
Celebrate your achievement as a CFA® Charterholder, a CIPM® designation holder, or a certificate holder.
How to share your CFA charter, CIPM designation, or certificate
Follow these guidelines to properly display your CFA Institute program status in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. CFA Institute protects the designation and programs that you've worked so hard to accomplish by enforcing these Standards.
CFA® Program: Charterholders and candidates
As you progress though the CFA Program, you will receive digital badges via our digital badge vendor, Accredible. Once you pass an exam or earn your CFA charter, you will receive an email from credentials@cfainstitute.org with a link to your badge.
If you cannot find the email with your digital badge link, please login to your Accredible account. If you did not create an account when you first received your badge, click the Retrieve a Credential button on the Accredible website.
Badges can be shared on a variety of social media platforms. Click into a badge to see additional information about who the badge was issued to and when. If a user selects “Verify Credential”, they will receive additional information about the badge.
Add your designation after your name
If you have earned the CFA designation and are an active member in good standing, you may include your designation after your name. For example, Jane Doe, CFA.
If you are a candidate, do not use your candidacy in the heading of your profile, or indicate an "Expected" date. The Code and Standards prohibits candidates from representing that you have been awarded a partial designation.
Add as a featured section at the top of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile. Select “Add profile section”
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Recommended” and then “Add featured”
- Click the “+” and then “Add a Link” and paste your unique badge link from Accredible (see above section on Digital Badges for how to find that link)
- Select “Add” and a new section will appear where you can add a title and description
- Provide the title of your designation – “Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Charterholder)”, or if you are a candidate, state the level you have passed, such as “CFA Program Level I”
- Write a brief description, such as the year your charter was awarded or when you passed an exam (do not indicate an "Expected" date if you have not passed an exam yet)
- If you have completed all three levels of the CFA Program but have not completed the work experience requirement, you may state: “Passed all three levels of the CFA Program and may be awarded the charter upon completion of the required work experience.”
- Select “Save”.
Add to the Licenses & Certifications section of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add profile section”
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Recommended” and then “Add Licenses & Certifications”
- Name: Enter “Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Charter)”, or if you are a candidate, the level you have passed, such as “CFA Program Level I”
- Issuing Organization: Start typing "CFA Institute" and you should see CFA Institute’s LinkedIn page appear in the dropdown. Select it
- Issue Date: Select the month and year you received your designation or passed your exam
- Expiration Date: Leave this field blank. If you've earned the CFA charter and no longer meet the membership requirements, a notification will appear on your badge page that your designation is expired
- Credential ID: Leave this field blank
- Certification URL: Add your unique badge link from Accredible (see above section on Digital Badges for how to find that link)
- Select “Save”.
Add to the Test Score section of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add Profile” section
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Additional” and then "Add test scores"
- Title: Enter either "Level [I, II, or III] CFA exam"
- Associated With: Leave this field blank
- Score: Enter "Passed" if you would like to indicate the level you have passed
- Test Date: Enter the month and year of the date you passed the exam
- Under Description, enter the level you have completed, e.g., "Passed Level II of the CFA Program." Do not indicate an "Expected" date if you have not passed an exam
- Select Save.
You may only include "CFA" after your name if you continue to meet the membership requirements in the CFA Institute Articles and Bylaws (PDF) and previously were awarded the CFA designation. The CFA designation:
- Should not be included in your X handle, e.g., not @JohnSmithCFA
- Should only appear in the section of your profile that contains your given name and surname
- Should not be included with a pseudonym or fictitious phrase meant to hide your identity.
If you are an active charterholder in good standing:
- Include your designation after your name. (For example: “Jane Doe, CFA”)
- Include your charterholder status in the certifications or education section of your resume as “CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute.”
- You may also include the date your charter was issued.
If you are a lapsed CFA Charterholder:
- Include your charterholder status in the certifications section of your resume and specify the dates held. (For example: “CFA® Charterholder, 19XX–20XX.”).
If you are currently a candidate in the CFA Program:
- Include your participation in the CFA Program in the education section of your resume. (For example: “CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute.”)
- You may also list the levels completed. (For example: “Completed Level I in 2020.”)
- You may use the term “candidate” only if you are actively registered for a particular exam.
If you have earned the CFA designation and are an active member in good standing, you may include your designation after your name on your business card. For example, Jane Doe, CFA.
CIPM® Program: Designation holders and candidates
Add your designation after your name
If you have earned the CIPM designation and are an active member in good standing, you may include your designation after your name. For example, John Smith, CIPM.
If you are a candidate, do not use your candidacy in the heading of your profile, or indicate an "Expected" date. The Code and Standards prohibits candidates from representing that you have been awarded a partial designation.
Add to the Licenses & Certifications section of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add profile section”
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Recommended” and then “Add Licenses & Certifications”
- Name: Enter “Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)”, or if you are a candidate, the level you have passed, such as “CIPM Program Level I”
- Issuing Organization: Start typing "CFA Institute" and you should see CFA Institute’s LinkedIn page appear in the dropdown. Select it
- Issue Date: Select the month and year you received your designation
- Expiration Date: Leave this field blank. If you've earned the CIPM designation and no longer meet the membership requirements, a notification will appear on your badge page that your designation is expired
- Credential ID: Leave this field blank
- Certification URL: Leave this field blank
- Select “Save”.
Add to the Test Score section of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add Profile” section
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Additional” and then "Add test scores"
- Title: Enter either "Level [I or II] CIPM exam"
- Associated With: Leave this field blank
- Score: Enter "Passed" if you would like to indicate the level you have passed
- Test Date: Enter the month and year of the date you passed the exam
- Under Description, enter the level you have completed, e.g., "Passed Level I of the CIPM Program." Do not indicate an "Expected" date if you have not passed an exam
- Select Save.
You may only include "CIPM" after your name if you continue to meet the membership requirements in the CFA Institute Articles and Bylaws (PDF) and previously were awarded the CIPM designation. The CIPM designation:
- Should not be included in your X handle, e.g., not @MaryJonesCIPM
- Should only appear in the section of your profile that contains your given name and surname
- Should not be included with a pseudonym or fictitious phrase meant to hide your identity.
CFA Institute encourages CIPM designation holders to include their designations and their CIPM Program participation on their resumes and online bios.
If you are an active member in good standing:
- Include your designation after your name. (For example: “John Smith, CIPM”)
- Include your CIPM designation in the certifications or education section of your resume as “CIPM® certificant, CFA Institute.”
- You may also include the date you received your designation.
If you are a lapsed member:
- Include your designation in the certifications section of your resume and specify the dates held. (For example: “CIPM® certificant, 19XX–20XX.”).
If you are currently a candidate in the CIPM Program:
- Include your participation in the CIPM Program in the education section of your resume. (For example: “CIPM® Program participant, CFA Institute.”)
- You may also list the levels completed. (For example: “Completed Level I in 2020.”)
- You may use the term “candidate” only if you are actively registered for a particular exam.
Please review the Trademark Usage Guide for CIPM Certificants.
If you have earned the CIPM designation and are an active member in good standing, you may include your designation after your name on your business card. For example, John Smith, CIPM.
Other certificate holders
We distribute digital badges via our digital badge vendor, Accredible. Once you pass an exam, you will receive an email from credentials@cfainstitute.org with a link to your certificate and/or badge.
If you cannot find the email with your digital badge link, please login to your Accredible account. If you did not create an account when you first received your badge, click the Retrieve a Credential button on the Accredible website.
Badges can be shared on a variety of social media platforms. Click into a badge to see additional information about who the badge was issued to and when. If a user selects “Verify Credential”, they will receive additional information about the badge.
Certificates from CFA Institute like the Certificate in ESG Investing should not be added after your name.
Add as a featured section at the top of your profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add profile section”
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Recommended” and then “Add featured”
- Select “Add” and a new section will appear where you can add a title and description
- Provide the title of your certificate, such as “Certificate in ESG Investing”
- Write a brief description such as the year you received your certificate
- Select “Save”.
Add to the Licenses & Certifications section of your Profile
- Log in to LinkedIn and view your profile
- Select “Add profile section”
- Under “Add to Profile” select “Recommended” and then “Add Licenses & Certifications”
- Name: Enter the name of your credential, such as “Certificate in ESG Investing” or “Investment Foundations Certificate”
- Issuing Organization: Start typing "CFA Institute" and you should see CFA Institute’s LinkedIn page appear in the dropdown. Select it
- Issue Date: Select the month and year you received your certificate
- Expiration Date: Leave this field blank
- Credential ID: Leave this field blank
- Certification URL: Add your unique badge link from Accredible (see above section on Digital Badges for how to find that link)
- Select Save.
Certificates from CFA Institute like the Certificate in ESG Investing should not be added after your name. If you wish to display your achievement on X, add a line in your bio that says “Awarded Certificate in ESG Investing, CFA Institute, 2024.”
If you have earned a certificate from CFA Institute such as the Certificate in ESG Investing or Investment Foundations, add it to the certifications or education section of your resume or CV. You may also include the date your certification was issued.
Certificates from CFA Institute like the Certificate in ESG Investing should not be added after your name.
To properly display your achievement, add a line beneath your name that says “Awarded [Certificate Name], CFA Institute, [Year of Completion]. For example, “Awarded Certificate in ESG Investing, CFA Institute, 2024.
Additional guidance
Standard VII(B) of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct
Learn more about proper use of the CFA designation in this comprehensive discussion.
Frequently asked questions
It is acceptable to use a font size smaller than the charterholder’s name for the CFA designation. Note that the CFA designation should be the same font size and boldness as other designations that may be listed.
Our preference is that you use a comma to separate an individual’s name and the designation. However, many companies are adopting a “comma-free” style and we have accepted it. If there are multiple designations, we request that you use a comma to separate them or they may appear on separate lines.
Our policy is that we do not allow individuals to use the CFA Institute pinwheel logo. This logo is available in very limited cases to third parties for goods and services upon execution of a formal license agreement. However, charterholders are permitted the exclusive use of the black oval "Chartered Financial Analyst" certification mark in close proximity to their name. Additional details may be found here.
Yes, currently this is the best way to add the designation to your name in your profile.
When the CFA designation immediately follows a CFA Charterholder’s name, the registration symbol (®) is not used.
While there are no official approved examples, you could say: The CFA Charter is a globally recognized designation that attests to success in a rigorous and comprehensive study program in the investment management and research industry and a commitment to ethical conduct. As CFA Charterholders, we are held to a standard of loyalty, prudence, and care in all our interactions with our clients and must act for the benefit of our clients and place our clients’ interests above our own. We are bound to comply with any legally required fiduciary duty.
The CFA designation should not be combined with a title. Our preference is that the designation immediately follow the charterholder’s name or be on a line separate from their title.
There is no preferred order for the designations - it is completely your choice. Note that the designations must be the same font size or smaller than your name and all of the designations should be the same font size/boldness.