CFA Level I on Resume: Tips & Examples | [Year]

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification is a big asset for an investment professional and should be highlighted on a resume. Achieving it involves passing three six-hour exams and putting in four years of investment-related work.

To highlight your CFA status when looking for employment, note it under Skills and Certifications or Professional Development, in a section that follows Experience and then Education. If you’re just beginning your qualification effort, list your level as a candidate and the scheduled exam date. For later levels, list what you’ve earned, what you’re studying for, and the planned exam date.

Here’s more about how to display your CFA Level I on your resume, with expert tips on listing skills, certifications, and development for maximum impact.

Showcasing Work Experience and Educational Achievements

An effective resume concisely outlines your professional experience and education. As a rule, you should put your work experience toward the top.

A strong investment industry resume would highlight quantitative career achievements and specific leadership roles. Education typically follows work experience, with job seekers emphasizing any honors or expertise gained during their undergraduate and graduate university training.

Enhancing Your Resume with Skills and Certifications

After listing your work experience and university experienceit is appropriate to outline any professional development activities that you have completed. This section can be titled Skills and Certifications or Professional Development, whichever you prefer.

If you have specialized technical or programming skills in addition to your CFA Level I, then you should use the Skills and Certifications section title and list your technical skills along with any professional certifications. Otherwise, the Professional Development or Certifications section would be a suitable title for your CFA Level I (you should also add that you are a CFA Level II Candidate, and when you plan to take the exam).

Showcasing Your CFA Level I Candidacy on Your Resume

If you are currently studying to take the CFA Level I examthen you are considered to be a candidate for the CFA Level I. There are several ways that you can indicate this on your resume.

One way is to call yourself a CFA Level I candidate. Another is to state that you are preparing for the CFA Level I exam in the Skills/Certifications or Professional Development section. If you have passed Level I, add that you are a Level II Candidate, and so on.

Adding Your CFA Exam Date for Clarity

You may give potential employers additional information about your CFA Level I status by indicating the date on which you intend to take the CFA Level I examination. For example, you may state: “CFA Level I Candidate—Dec. 202X Exam Date.” Alternatively, you can state: “Preparing for CFA Level I Exam—Dec. 202X Exam Date.”

Updating Your Resume as You Advance Through CFA Levels

The CFA program is a multitiered undertaking, and passing Level I is just the first step in this process. As you move along, it is appropriate to continue to update your resume so that potential employers understand where you are in this process.

For example, once you have earned your CFA Level I and are preparing for the Level II examyou should state, “Earned CFA Level I; CFA Level II Candidate (Exam Date: Dec. 2026).” You may not use the CFA letters after your name until you have passed all three exams and earned official CFA Charterholder status.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve achieved CFA Level I status, be sure to highlight this dedication to your professional development and to exceptional standards of professional competence and behavior on your resume. List your CFA Level I status under Skills and Certifications or Professional Development.

Bear in mind that you cannot display the CFA designation after your name until you’ve achieved full certification.