The marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and are owned by CFP Board in the U.S. and are protected by trademark law. Only those individuals who have fully satisfied CFP Board's requirements are authorized to use the CFP® certification marks. CFP Board carefully monitors usage of the marks to ensure their integrity, and unauthorized use of the marks is viewed as a serious matter. For example, it is incorrect to use the term "CFP® candidate." Up until the point of achieving CFP® certification, individuals who have applied for the CFP® Certification Examination can say they are "working towards obtaining CFP® certification" or that they are a "candidate for CFP® certification." Remember, if you use the CFP® marks prematurely, or in some other prohibited manner, you could jeopardize your ultimate right to use them.

Application for CFP® Certification
When you have completed the education, examination and work experience requirements, you can login to complete the remaining certification requirements. This includes a CFP® Certification Application, a non-refundable application fee, and a non-refundable certification fee for your initial certification period. These requirements must be completed within six months of fulfilling the work experience requirement. The fees must be paid and the application completed and reviewed by CFP Board before any certification can be issued.

Initial Fee and Continuing Education (CE) Reporting

An initial certification cycle will be defined for each individual after completing the education, examination and work experience requirements. CFP Board establishes this initial certification cycle using the date of initial CFP® certification to the end of your birth month in an odd or even year, based on your birth date. The initial certification fee and the amount of CE credits due at the end of this initial cycle will be prorated based on $360 and 30 hours, respectively, every two years. An application fee of $100 and this initial certification fee (ranging from $90-$450) can be paid when you complete the CFP® Certification Application.

After this prorated cycle is completed, you will begin reporting CE and completing the renewal requirements on a cyclical two-year renewal cycle.

International Reciprocity

Seeking Dual Certification to the U.S.
If you are a resident of one of the territories affiliated with Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) and are currently authorized to use the CFP marks in that territory, you can apply for CFP® certification in the United States by (1) providing proof of current CFP certification from the FPSB Affiliate in your territory, (2) passing the first four-hour session of CFP Board's CFP® Certification Examination and (3) fulfilling all remaining initial certification requirements in place at the time you apply for CFP Board's CFP® Certification Examination.

Once CFP Board grants you the right to use the CFP® marks in the U.S., you will be subject to CFP Board's renewal requirements. If you wish to retain dual certification in the U.S. and your resident territory, you will be required to complete the renewal requirements of both CFP Board and your FPSB affiliate.

Policy Exception Requests
CFP Board enforces the policies and requirements for CFP® certification in a consistent manner. Exceptions to established policies and requirements are granted in only the rarest of circumstances. CFP® certificants and applicants for CFP® certification who wish to request exceptions to specific policies or requirements of CFP Board may complete and submit a Policy Exception Request Form. The request will be reviewed by CFP Board staff, and a written determination letter sent to the requestor by certified mail, postmarked no later than thirty days from the date the request is received at CFP Board. Individuals unhappy with a decision stated in a determination letter may submit a written appeal to CFP Board’s Policy Exception Committee. Written appeals must be received at CFP Board no later than thirty days from the requestor's receipt of the determination letter. The Policy Exception Committee meets four times each year (once per quarter). The decision of the Policy Exception Committee is final.

CFP Board
Attn: Policy Exception Committee
1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005

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