History of MTA

The Market Technicians Association (MTA) was incorporated as a not-for-profit Association in 1973, but began holding meetings as early as 1971. There were 18 charter members in 1973, but the 3 "founders" are considered to be Ralph Acampora, John Brooks and John Greeley. These charter members found that they were doing the same thing for a living (practicing technical analysis), and believed there should be an organization similar to the one that already existed for the fundamental analysts already.

At first, the MTA was a New York based group, however, as it became apparent that there were technical analysts all over the globe, the MTA transformed first to a U. S. based and eventually to a global professional Association. Today, MTA's total membership is over 4,100, with members located in 70 countries.

The MTA 's CMT program, the industry's gold standard in technical analysis, took years to get off the ground and many people worked hard to make it happen in the second half of the 1980's. The first tests were given and the first CMTs were granted in 1989. In 2005 the NASD submitted a rule filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission to accept the CMT 1 and 2 as an alternative to the Series 86 examination required of financial analysts. (For instructions on how to apply for Series 86 exemption, click here).

Through most of its early years, the MTA was located in various downtown New York City locations, usually in a shared space of other friendly associations (i.e., NY Institute of Finance [NYIF]; later the NY Society of Security Analysts [NYSSA]). In September, 2001 the MTA was in the World Trade Center when the twin towers fell!

The MTA quickly relocated to Woodbridge, New Jersey (approximately 10 miles from downtown NYC) and actively worked at building back our library of resources through, in large measure, the donations of Members and friends of the MTA. We will remain eternally grateful for the support provided to the MTA in its time of need.

We found our way back to the downtown NYC location in early 2007. Today, we are located at 61 Broadway-Suite 514, NY, NY 10006 which is within one block of both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). We feel at "home" back in NYC and urge all interested parties to visit our facilities at your earliest convenience.