Which CFA Institute standard is violated when a member signs a resume claiming to hold the CFA designation when they do not?

• A. Standard I.D Misconduct.
• B. Standard VI.A Disclosure of Conflicts.
• C. Standard VII.A Conduct as a CFA Institute Member or Candidate.
• D. Standard IV.E Preservation of Confidentiality.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is honesty about your professional credentials. Claiming to hold the CFA designation when you have not earned it is a misrepresentation of your qualifications, which CFA Institute standards forbid. This falls under Misconduct, the standard that prohibits dishonest acts by members and candidates and requires that statements about qualifications be accurate and not misleading. By signing a resume with a CFA designation you don’t have, you undermine trust and mislead employers or clients, which is exactly what Misconduct seeks to prevent. This isn't primarily about conflicts of interest, confidentiality, or general conduct as a member—those areas cover different situations, whereas the precise violation here is misrepresenting your credentials under Misconduct.