Before results are released, how should a CFA candidate refer to themselves?

• A. CFA charterholder.
• B. CFA candidate.
• C. CFA Institute member.
• D. CFA professional.

Answer: (B)

The important idea is describing your status honestly during the CFA program. The CFA charterholder title is earned only after you pass all three exam levels and meet the work-experience requirements. Until results are released, you should not present yourself as a charterholder. Similarly, “CFA Institute member” implies active membership in the institute, which isn’t the same as having earned the charter, and “CFA professional” isn’t an official designation. The correct way to note your status is to call yourself a CFA candidate, which communicates that you’re actively pursuing the designation without implying you’ve completed it. If helpful, you can specify your current level (for example, Level II candidate) to indicate your progress.