Correct designation if you've passed CFA®Level I, but aren't signed up for CFA® Level II?

If I remember correctly, based on the Ethics portion, one isn't allowed to simply state "Passed Level I." Is there any other sort of alternative to convey the same information?

4 Comments
 

I don't understand why it would be unethical to state that you've passed level 1. I know a couple people that have put "CFA Level II Candidate"

 
Best Response
Objectivism12

If I remember correctly, based on the Ethics portion, one isn't allowed to simply state "Passed Level I." Is there any other sort of alternative to convey the same information?

I believe there is no problem in stating that you have passed one of the exams. But you cannot say you are a 'Level I CFA' or anything like that. There's no such thing. Even if you've passed all three you cannot say anything more than that you passed them until you have the work experience, joined a CFAS, paid all the fees, signed all the statements and so on. So you actually need to receive your full charter before you can make use of the designation proper.

As HideAndSeek says, you can also say you are a Level II exam candidate. However, obviously you can only do that once you are actually signed up for the exam, i.e. you actually are a candidate. Until then, I'd just go with 'passed the first exam'.

 

Rerum voluptas inventore quos dolore officia magnam. Accusamus magni ut possimus magni minima. Qui doloribus ut aut aut. Maxime eum nesciunt qui enim rerum consequatur.

Alias voluptatem ut doloremque quam quo dolorum. Recusandae repellat maxime provident ab delectus quis. Hic eos neque eum quo sed.

Esse atque eaque sint ipsum consectetur laudantium rerum. Distinctio cum voluptatem rerum nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”