Education & Credentials

The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation is the premier designation in the industry for Private Wealth Advisors serving high net worth clients. signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on private wealth management topics and strategies for high net-worth clients. 
Prerequisites for the CPWA designation are a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CIMC®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA® license; have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by the FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and five years of professional client-centered experience in financial services or a related industry. CPWA designees have completed a rigorous educational process that includes self-study requirements, an in-class education component, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. CPWA designees are required to adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CPWA designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), in conjunction with The Booth School, the University of Chicago.