The experience requirement is one of the pre-requisites for an individual to earn the AIF® Designation.
One of the following combinations of education, industry experience, and/or professional development will meet the experience requirement for applying for the AIF® Designation:
- Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience PLUS a bachelor’s degree (or higher) PLUS a professional designation.
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience PLUS EITHER
- a bachelor’s degree (or higher), OR
- a professional designation.
- Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience.
Relevant experience is that which has been accrued in a non-clerical role within the financial services (or a related) industry.
A degree must be awarded by an accredited U.S. college or university. International degrees may be substituted for a U.S. degree if they receive equivalency from a third-party evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
A professional designation is one conferred by a recognized body within the financial services industry. Candidates must meet all established initial and ongoing requirements and be in good standing. The Center reserves the right to make a final determination on whether a designation meets its criteria.
A candidate who fails to meet the experience requirement may petition to have The Center consider other forms of experience as a substitute for the listed requirements. These may include additional fiduciary and/or investment trainings or qualified references made on the candidate’s behalf.
Policy for Recent Graduates of Qualified Educational Programs
Fi360 may consider certain coursework as an acceptable substitute to the experience requirement. Fi360 shall evaluate each program and maintain a list of programs that are accepted for this substitution. The coursework must emphasize topics on the exam blueprint and their applicability to acting as a fiduciary. A candidate must be able to provide documented evidence of having successfully completed an accepted coursework substitution. A qualified education program is not a substitute for the training requirement. To learn if your educational program qualifies, email Fi360support@broadridge.com.