Become a CFP® Professional

Americans are struggling to pull their finances together and plan for the future. The financial planning profession is growing to address that need, with the career path expected to grow 41% by 2016, according to Money Magazine and Payscale.com.  Only a select group of planners have met the rigorous requirements necessary to call themselves CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals.

Achieving CFP® certification can help you:

• Build Your Future by Helping Others Build Theirs: As a CFP® professional with valuable expertise, you can expect personal satisfaction as well as financial rewards.
• Make an Impact: You can make a difference at a time when more Americans are struggling to pull their finances together and plan for the future.
• Stand Out: CFP® certification communicates your expertise and credibility

 Learn more about the advantages CFP® certification can provide

Path to CFP® Certification

Start your journey to CFP® certification with the following steps.  Click each step for highlights and important resources for each step.  For full details about each requirement, consult the Guide to CFP® Certification.

• 1. Create Your Online Account
  

  Create your CFP Board online account to see the latest information on the requirements and your progress toward achieving CFP® certification.

  Create Your Account

• 2. Meet the Education Requirement
  

  You can fulfill the education coursework requirement for CFP® certification in several ways, including completing a course of study at a CFP Board-Registered Program, submitting previous coursework for a Transcript Review, or holding certain approved licenses, degrees or designations. The coursework requirement includes completion of a financial plan development (capstone) course registered with CFP Board. CFP Board also requires CFP® professionals to hold a qualified bachelor's degree or higher degree; the bachelor’s degree requirement may be completed after taking the CFP® Certification Examination.

   

  Learn more about Education Coursework Options
  Find a CFP Board-Registered Program
  Learn about the Bachelor’s Degree Requirement
   Login to Verify Completion of Your Education Coursework

• 3. Pass the CFP® Exam
  

  The CFP® Certification Examination tests your ability to apply your financial planning knowledge to client situations. The exam is offered each March, July and November, and the 10-hour exam is divided into three separate sessions delivered over two days.

  Learn more about the CFP® Exam
  Apply for the CFP® Exam
  Read Updates for the Most Recent CFP® Exam

• 4. Meet the Experience Requirement
   

  Because CFP® certification indicates to the public your ability to provide financial planning without supervision, CFP Board requires you to have experience in the financial planning process. Three years of full-time relevant personal financial planning experience, or two years of Apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements, is required. Qualifying experience includes activities involving the delivery of financial planning services to clients. Experience can be gained in a number of ways, including personal delivery, supervision and teaching.

  Learn more about the Experience Requirement
  Login to Report Completed Experience to CFP Board

• 5. Satisfy the Fitness Standards
  

  Applicants for CFP® certification must pass CFP Board’s Fitness Standards for Candidates and Registrants, which describe conduct that will or may bar an individual from being certified.  After completing the Education, Exam and Experience requirements, applicants complete an Ethics Declaration and are subject to a background check.

  Learn more about the Fitness Standards
  Learn more about the Ethics Requirement and Background Check
  Login to complete the Ethics Declaration

• 6. Receive Authorization to Use the CFP® Marks
  

  When you have completed the Education, Exam and Experience and Ethics requirements for CFP® certification, you will complete a Certification Application and pay certification fees, including a one-time, non-refundable initial certification application fee of $100, and a non-refundable annual certification fee of $325.  When your application is processed successfully, you will be notified about your authorization to begin using the CFP® marks.

  Login to complete the CFP® Certification Application
  Review Guidelines for Using the CFP® Marks
  Review CFP Board’s Public Awareness Campaign Toolkit

Not ready yet for CFP® Certification?

Learn more about CFP Board and keep up with the financial planning profession.

1. Download the Guide to CFP® Certification

Interested in CFP® Certification? Get the details on how to become a CFP® professional.
Request your copy of the Guide to CFP® Certification

2. Sign Up for Updates from CFP Board

Get the latest information on certification requirements as well as career planning insights from CFP Board.
Create Your Online CFP Board Account

3. Follow CFP Board through social networks

• Facebook
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• YouTube
• LinkedIn