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Competency Standards for CFP® Certification
CFP Board’s Competency Standards define the four E’s of CFP® certification — education, examination, experience and ethics — which together form the foundation for earning and maintaining the CFP® marks. The standards are designed to support rigorous preparation, professional judgment and ethical responsibility throughout a CFP® professional’s career and to equip certificants to meet the evolving needs of the public.
Understanding the Revised Standards
Following a comprehensive, two-year review led by the Competency Standards Commission, CFP Board announced updates in January 2026 designed to support standards that are modern, relevant and practical as the profession continues to evolve. Each approved update has its own future effective date, and implementation will be phased over time in 2026 and 2027. There are no immediate changes to certification or renewal requirements.
> Addition of Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification to the Accelerated Path
> Clarification of independent practice competency
> Standard Pathway to require experience that demonstrates at least three steps of the financial planning process
> Increase to 40 CE hours per two-year cycle (38 hours of general CE and 2 hours of CFP Board Ethics CE), allowing up to five hours focused on practice management
> Allow CE carryover of up to 10 hours into the next two-year certification cycle
> CFP Board may designate mandatory CE topics in response to significant regulatory or legal changes
> Candidates may count up to 500 hours of qualified pro bono financial planning toward the 6,000-hour Standard Pathway experience requirement
Our Commitment
CFP Board is committed to implementing updated Competency Standards thoughtfully and transparently. None of the changes are retroactive; changes will apply beginning with a CFP® professional’s first full renewal cycle after the applicable effective date. Well before each effective date, CFP Board will provide clear guidance and practical resources to support CFP® professionals, candidates for CFP® certification and other stakeholders.
Questions?
We're Here to Help
Find answers in our FAQs and resources or contact CFP Board for additional support. We’re committed to helping you navigate the revised standards with confidence.