To become a member of CFA Society of Los Angeles requires both memberships to the Society and to CFA Institute. Annual membership dues for CFALA are $175. Every person applying for regular and affiliate membership must be sponsored by one CFA regular member and the applicant’s supervisor, one of which must be a Member of the Society. If the supervisor requirement cannot be met because the applicant is the principal of the firm, a student, retired, self-employed, or if providing a supervisor sponsor places the applicant in a difficult professional position, then an additional sponsor by a regular member of CFA Institute is required. In the case that the applicant does not know a member, they must address a letter and resume stating the reasons to the Society Membership Chair.

CFA Institute and CFA Society of Los Angeles will review your work experience and sponsor statements to determine your membership category, of which there are three

1. Regular Membership 
To qualify as a regular member of CFA Institute and CFALA, an investment professional must meet all of the criteria listed below:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience
2. Pass Level I of the CFA exam or such other appropriate examination as approved by the Board of Governors or pass the self-administered Standards of Practice Examination
3. Have 48 months of acceptable professional work experience in the investment decision-making process
4. Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement, a Professional Conduct Statement, and any additional documentation requested by CFA Institute.

Both CFA Institute and CFALA must agree to accept an applicant as a regular member. In the event of a discrepancy, CFA Institute makes the final determination for regular membership status.

2. CFA Charterholder Membership
To qualify as a CFA charterholder member, you must satisfy the requirements to become a regular member and complete all three levels of the CFA Program.

3. Affiliate Membership 
To qualify for affiliate membership, you must meet both of the following criteria:

1. Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and Professional Conduct Statement.
2. Fulfill CFALA requirements for affiliate membership: An affiliate member of CFALA shall be (1) an active candidate for the examination program administered by CFA Institute or such other appropriate examination as may be approved by CFA Institute or (2) a person who does not qualify for membership as a regular member, but whose primary interests are closely allied to the objectives of the Society, including graduate students and upper division undergraduate students.
   
    

Once an applicant is approved for affiliate membership by CFALA, the applicant will automatically become an affiliate member of CFA Institute. CFA Institute affiliate members receive the same benefits as regular members, but do not have voting rights.

Note: Affiliate membership does not qualify you for the award of the CFA charter. You will need to update your work experience and apply to become a regular member in order to get your charter. If you don't have the necessary work experience, we'll assign you affiliate membership status. Candidates are often first approved as affiliate members. You may apply for an upgrade to regular membership before you activate.