CMT charter requirements: experience, references and membership
Last checked October 16, 2026 · Sources: CMT Association Professional Membership requirements, membership application, CMT Program FAQs and registration page
To earn the CMT charter you must pass all three CMT exam levels, have at least three years of approved professional work experience, and be approved for Professional Membership in the CMT Association with three acceptable references. Only people who meet all of these, and stay in good standing, can use the CMT designation.
The CMT charter requirements, step by step
Pass Level I, Level II and Level III in order. Active CFA charterholders can waive Level I and start at Level II.
The CMT Association requires at least three years of approved professional work experience before you apply as a charter candidate.
You need three references who are Professional Members in good standing; the application says no more than one may be from your current firm.
The Association uses one application for both Professional Membership and the right to use the CMT designation.
The Board designates applicants who have passed all three levels, been approved for Professional Membership and are in good standing as CMT Charterholders.
What counts as approved work experience
The CMT Association’s application describes approved professional work experience broadly. It includes jobs within the field of finance, and the Association lists functions such as accounting, marketing, actuarial work, portfolio management, compliance, financial planning and insurance. Supervising or managing people who work in finance counts, and so does teaching, training or coaching people on finance subjects. The experience relates to finance generally and doesn’t have to be a technical analysis role.
What doesn’t count: the Association says managing your own investments, or those of family and friends, without compensation is not approved professional work experience, and neither is volunteer activity.
How to find references
References must be Professional Members of the CMT Association, and the Association says applications with fewer than three won’t be accepted. To meet members, it suggests attending CMT Association events and chapter meetings, connecting with presenters and authors featured in its publications, joining its global online community on Discord, and searching the MyCMT membership directory for members marked “willing to sponsor.” If none of that works, it invites you to contact Member Services at admin@cmtassociation.org for help.
Professional Membership without the charter
You can become a Professional Member without taking the exams, but the requirements and rights differ. The Association says that route requires at least five years of approved work experience instead of three, and Professional Members who aren’t charterholders are not permitted to use the CMT designation.
| Route | Exams | Approved experience | References | Can use CMT designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charterholder | Pass Levels I, II and III | 3 years | 3 | Yes |
| Professional Member only | Not required | 5 years | 3 | No |
Source: CMT Association Professional Membership requirements, checked October 16, 2026.
CFA charterholders and the CMT
Active CFA charterholders can waive CMT Level I and begin at Level II. The waiver doesn’t cover Level II, Level III or the Professional Membership requirements, so the experience and reference rules above still apply. See our CFA guide if you’re weighing both designations.
Costs along the way
The exams themselves cost $875 to $1,475 per level depending on when you register, with the official curriculum included; for December 2026, late registration at $1,475 closes November 4. The CMT Association’s FAQ says there’s no separate enrollment fee or membership requirement to sit the exams. Membership dues apply once you join; study guides list annual dues of about $325, so confirm the current amount with the Association. Our CMT exam fees page has the details.
December 2026 late registration is open until November 4.
Register on CMT AssociationCommon questions about CMT charter requirements
How many years of experience do I need for the CMT charter?
At least three years of approved professional work experience, after passing all three exam levels.
Does personal trading count as experience?
No. The CMT Association says managing your own, family or friends’ investments without compensation doesn’t count, and neither does volunteering.
Do I need to be a member to take the CMT exams?
No. The Association’s FAQ says there’s no membership requirement to become a candidate. Membership comes after the exams, when you apply for the charter.
Can I use the CMT designation after passing Level III?
No. Only people who have passed all three levels, been approved for Professional Membership and are in good standing can use the CMT designation.
How many references do I need?
Three references who are Professional Members in good standing, with no more than one from your current firm.
See also our CMT exam guide and CMT exam registration guide. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with the CMT Association.