Financial analyst: finance degree, internships and the optional CFA charter
Financial analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field such as business. FINRA registration, when a role needs it, is sponsored by the employer after hiring; the CFA charter is voluntary.
For: Students who like markets, spreadsheets and making a case with numbers.
Route 1: Finance degree → internship → analyst Typical
Some employers prefer a master's degree.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in finance or business
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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During college
Internship
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
FINRA registration through the employer
Most licenses need employer sponsorship, so companies do not expect them before you start.
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Financial analyst
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: CFA Program: three exams + 4,000 hours Voluntary charter
To register you need a bachelor's degree, or be an undergraduate within 23 months of graduation for Level I, or have 4,000 hours of work and/or higher education over at least three sequential years.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree (or final years of one)
CFA Institute
CFA Program policies: registration requirementsCFA Institute- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
CFA Level I, Level II, Level III
About 300 study hours per level. Exam fees run USD 3,520 to 4,570 for all three levels, depending on early or standard registration.
CFA Institute
CFA Program dates and feesCFA Institute- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4,000 hours
Qualifying investment work experience
Before, during or after the exams.
CFA Institute
CFA Program overviewCFA Institute- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Membership
Apply to CFA Institute
With two to three professional references.
CFA Institute
CFA Program overviewCFA Institute- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: Analyst → portfolio or fund manager Moving up
A master's in finance or an MBA may improve the chances of advancing.
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Start here
Financial analyst
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Master's in finance or MBA
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Portfolio manager or fund manager
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- CFA charter
CFA Institute · Voluntary - Three exams, 4,000 hours of investment work experience and CFA Institute membership. Exams are in English only and every candidate needs a valid international travel passport.
CFA Institute
CFA Program policies: registration requirementsCFA Institute- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- FINRA registration
FINRA, through the employer · Registration through an employer - Some financial analyst positions require it; most of these licenses need sponsorship by an employer.
BLS
Financial Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.