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Trademark Usage Guide for CFA Charterholders

Learn about the proper usage of CFA marks here.

While you are a CFA Charterholder, as defined in the CFA Institute Bylaws (PDF), you have the right to use the following marks:

  • CFA®
  • Chartered Financial Analyst®

These marks are commonly referred to as the “CFA Marks.” They are recognized symbols of professionalism and integrity that distinguish charterholders from other investment professionals around the world.

The uses of the CFA Marks are governed by the Code of Ethics and standard VII(B) of the Standards of Professional Conduct and applicable laws. CFA Marks can only be used by charterholders who are dues paying members of CFA Institute not subject to certain Professional Conduct violations and whose rights to use the CFA designation have not been suspended or revoked.

Use of the CFA Marks signifies that you have earned the prestigious CFA charter. It is important to use these marks properly and to be mindful of improper use or infringement.

To assist you, CFA Institute has developed the trademark usage guide below. Please consult and follow this guide when preparing business cards, letterhead, promotional literature, signage, and all other forms of printed, electronic, and written communications.

Trademark Usage Guide

The examples set forth here are intended to illustrate proper usage of the CFA Marks. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it an exhaustive discussion of your obligations, so if questions do arise please contact staff in the Legal Services Group (LSG) at CFA Institute by e-mail. You should also contact LSG staff if you become aware of improper usage or infringement of any of the CFA Institute marks.

Certification Mark

Purpose of the Certification Mark

The Certification Mark is used by charterholders as a distinctive visual symbol of the CFA designation that can be easily recognized by employers, colleagues, and clients. In essence, use this mark as a seal of quality and integrity, in close proximity to your name.

Download the print version or digital version.

Use of the Certification Mark

  • The certification mark may not be altered or modified in any way.
  • The certification mark should be clearly printed in black ink on light colored backgrounds or may be reversed to white on dark colored backgrounds.
  • All reproduction of the certification mark must be made from camera-ready artwork provided by CFA Institute.
  • The certification mark can be used to identify a group of individuals; however, each individual listed must be a current charterholder.
  • The trademark notice does not have to appear on letterhead or business cards.
  • The certification mark must not be used as part of a company name or logo.
  • The certification mark should be placed in close proximity to the charterholder’s name. However, the certification mark should have enough clear space that it is not connected or a part of the charterholder’s personalization or degree. The certification mark shall not be confused with a company logo or placed in such close proximity to a company name or logo so as to give the reader the idea that the certification mark certifies the company.

The CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® Marks

Purpose of the CFA Marks

The trademarks CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are intended for use whenever the certification mark cannot be used.

Use of the CFA Marks

The CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® marks should be used in the text of magazine and newspaper articles, interviews, books, advertising, and in textual or verbal contexts where use of the certification mark is impossible or impractical. When these marks are used in these contexts or applications, charterholders should carefully advise reporters, authors, editors, publishers, and others as to the guidelines for proper usage.

The CFA®mark must not be used generically (as a noun) and should only be used as an adjective. The mark becomes generic when it is used as a common name for a category of products or services. References to all facial tissues as Kleenexes, all photocopies as Xeroxes, and all financial analysts as “CFAs” are improper and are considered generic. If the use becomes generic, CFA® Charterholders lose their exclusive use of these valuable marks. If you are using the marks correctly, you should be able to omit the CFA from a sentence and still have the sentence make sense. For example, “John Smith is a CFA Charterholder.”

Proper
  • John Smith is a CFA® Charterholder.
  • Amy Jones, CFA, is a portfolio manager.
  • John Smith is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Improper
  • John Smith is a CFA.
  • John Smith is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
  • John Smith and Amy Jones are CFAs.

The first and most prominent use of the CFA® or Chartered Financial Analyst® marks in text material should include the registered trademark symbol (®). It is not necessary to use the ® symbol when the marks directly follow the name of a specific individual.

Proper
  • John Smith is a CFA® Charterholder.
  • Three analysts at the firm hold the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Always specify in a tag line at the end of an article and at the bottom of an advertisement or promotional literature that the marks are the property of CFA Institute.

Proper
  • CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

The CFA® mark must appear in all capital letters. With respect to Chartered Financial Analyst®, at a minimum, the first letter of each word must be capitalized.

Proper
  • John Smith, CFA
  • John Smith, Chartered Financial Analyst
Improper
  • Amy Jones, cfa
  • John Smith, chartered financial analyst

The form of the marks must never be altered to create a new word, phrase, or design.

The marks may never be used in the plural or possessive forms.

The CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® marks must not be used as part of, or incorporated in, the name of a company or imply that the company is entitled to use the marks. Additionally, the marks may not be used in a charterholder’s e-mail address or in a personal or company domain name.

Proper
  • Amy Jones, Chartered Financial Analyst
Improper
  • Amy Jones, Inc., Chartered Financial Analyst
  • johnsmithcfa.com