Which action by Mager is most consistent with the CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct Program?

• A. Presenting himself to the public as a CFA charterholder.
• B. Providing evidence for his position to an outside arbitration panel.
• C. Using his CFA designation upon expiration of the suspension period.
• D. Continuing to use his designation during the suspension.

Answer: (C)

The key point is that designation status is restricted during disciplinary actions, so you must not imply you hold the CFA credential while suspended. Once the suspension period hasExpired, you may resume using the designation. That makes using the CFA designation after the suspension ends the action that aligns with truthful representation and the rules governing status.

Presenting yourself as a CFA charterholder during a suspension would mislead the public about your current status. Continuing to use the designation during the suspension would also misrepresent you. Providing evidence to an outside arbitration panel, while potentially appropriate in its own right, does not address the issue of how you may (or may not) present your designation during or after a suspension.