CFA Stackable Credential Program

Are you a CFA charterholder?

Earning the CAIA designation, the global benchmark of alternative investment education, stacked with your CFA charter, provides a powerful boost to your alts knowledge and your industry credibility. 

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The CAIA Association and CFA Institute are engaged in the shared mission of excellence in investment education, reinforced by the overlap in our respective membership bases. As the alternative investment industry grows, the knowledge base of these professionals must grow with it. 

As a CFA member, you may be eligible for a CAIA Level I exam waiver toward earning the
CAIA designation and enter the program as a Level II Candidate! 

Boost Your Confidence and Credibility 

Earning the CAIA designation, combined with your CFA charter offers you: 

  • Industry Credibility: Have your achievements recognized and your currency elevated in an increasingly competitive and complex space. 

  • Specialized Curriculum: The CAIA Level II exam curriculum is focused on the latest alternative investment practices and strategies, providing essential skills and relevant knowledge. 

  • Continued Professional Development: Build on your already broad knowledge of investments with specialized education in the growing alternatives landscape. 

  • Career Enhancement: There’s never been a more crucial time to stand out in the industry. Demonstrate your ability to add value to your organization and to the end-investor by stacking your CFA credential with the CAIA Charter. You’ll be better positioned with expanded knowledge and distinction.

Am I Eligible? 

To take advantage of a Level I exam waiver, applicants must: 

  • Have no existing CAIA exam history. 

  • Be a CFA charterholder, in good standing. 

  • Have a CFA digital badge, verifiable by the CAIA Association.

For more information, please review our complete Stackable Credential Eligibility Policy. 

Next Steps 

To apply for the CAIA Level I exam waiver through the CFA Stackable Credential program, you may begin the process at our Registration & Fees page then: 

  • Select “Registration” and create an account. 

  • Upon acceptance of the Candidate Agreement, you will be asked to select an exam type. Please select “Seek Level I Exam Waiver.” 

  • For verification purposes, you will be asked to enter your CFA Digital Badge, obtained through your LinkedIn profile. Information or questions regarding obtaining your digital badge link should be directed to the CFA Institute directly at: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/membership/social-media. 

    • In addition you'll need to provide:

      • The year you became a CFA charterholder.

      • The name of the CFA Society you are affiliated with.

  • Your application will then be entered into a Verification queue. You will receive notification from candidate@caia.org that your application is being reviewed and further information regarding the verification process. 

NOTE: Applications accepted are exclusive to the current exam period. If you do not wish to take the exam in the current cycle, you may apply beginning with a subsequent cycle.

Questions? 

Please contact us at candidate@caia.org with any questions about the CFA Stackable Credential Program or your application status. Questions regarding your CFA Digital Badge should be directed to CFA Institute directly at: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/membership/social-media.