Timeline: 2000s - Celebrating 50 years of the CFA Program

About the CFA Charter

The CFA Charter is a distinction granted to those who undertake and pass a rigorous, graduate-level curriculum. The Program links theory and practice with real-world investment analysis and portfolio management skills, and emphasizes the highest ethical and professional standards.

Candidates must pass three exam levels and meet requirements of four years of work experience in the investment industry. They also must pledge to abide by the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, apply to a CFA Institute society and become a member of CFA Institute.

Those who meet the requirements benefit from the extensive knowledge attained in pursuit of the Charter. In addition, they also gain the advantages of membership in an active, global community.

A 50-year history of the CFA Program

Learn how the CFA Program has become the “gold standard” of professionalism in the financial and investment communities. This special commemorative book covers the charter’s first 50 years, revealing how the ideas and perseverance of a few visionaries transformed financial analysis and institutionalized its highest ideals and best practices.

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2000s
68,084 CFA charters are earned this decade.
2001
Levels II and III go to 50% item set (they were first introduced in 2000 for a small portion of the exam).
2001
Donald L. Tuttle, CFA Grading Excellence Award established. First recipients include: Donald L. Tuttle, CFA; Greta E. Marshall, CFA; James R. Vertin, CFA; Charles G. King, CFA.
2003
First December Level I exam is administered. 20,657 sit for this exam.
2004
52 percent of CFA candidates are from outside North America.
2004
AIMR changes its name to CFA Institute.
2005
Level II goes to 100% item set.
2005
The Economist and the Financial Times (U.K.) name the CFA Program the “Gold Standard” of investment education.
2007
Practice Analysis becomes continuous. More than 100,000 candidates sit for the CFA exams at 189 exam areas. 277 graders. London becomes the largest test center, surpassing New York, which had been the largest since 1963.

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