Which CFA Institute standard is violated when an individual lists 'CFA' after their name on a personal website while not being a member or candidate?

• A. Standard VII.A Conduct as a CFA Institute Member or Candidate.
• B. Standard VI.A Disclosure of Conflicts.
• C. Standard III.A Loyalty, Prudence, and Diligence.
• D. Standard I.D Misconduct.

Answer: (A)

Using the CFA designation only if you are a current CFA Institute member or candidate is the key idea. Placing “CFA” after your name on a personal website when you’re not a member or candidate misleads readers about your status and your obligation to follow CFA Institute standards. Standard VII.A covers conduct as a CFA Institute member or candidate and prohibits misrepresenting your membership status or implying affiliation with the Institute when none exists. That direct link to how you present credentials makes it the appropriate rule to apply here.

The other standards address different obligations—conflicts of interest, loyalty and prudence, or broader misconduct—but they don’t specifically govern the accurate use of the CFA designation. The precise issue is the misrepresentation of credential status, which VII.A targets directly. If you’re not a member or candidate, you should not claim the CFA designation.