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Upholding Ethical Standards: A Visual Guide
CFP Board designed these interactive maps as a high-level visual guide to show the care and rigor behind our processes for evaluating an individual’s ethical fitness for CFP® certification and addressing potential misconduct. Each map highlights key steps — from ethics evaluations and investigations to hearings, appeals and reinstatement — and includes practice tips and resources.
Promoting Fairness, Transparency and Trust
Together, these maps illustrate how CFP Board’s processes uphold fairness, transparency and accountability while safeguarding CFP® certification — the standard for competent and ethical financial planning. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Process maps are best viewed as a PDF in Adobe Acrobat, or in-browser with the Adobe Acrobat extension enabled. Definitions for all terms within the process maps are available in the glossary.
This process applies to current CFP® professionals and, with some exceptions, former CFP® professionals whose conduct might conflict with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
This process applies to current CFP® professionals and, with some exceptions, former CFP® professionals whose conduct might conflict with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
This map applies to Applicants, Candidates for CFP® certification and former CFP® professionals seeking Reinstatement, provided their certification has not been suspended or temporarily barred by CFP Board.
This map applies to Candidates who were former CFP® professionals that Administratively or Voluntarily Relinquished and wish to reinstate their certification.
This map applies to those applying for CFP® certification who must file a Petition for Fitness Determination to finalize the certification process.
This map applies to former CFP® professionals who are seeking reinstatement after receiving an Administrative Order of Suspension or a Temporary Bar.
This map applies to former CFP® professionals who received a suspension or temporary Bar for one year or less.
This map applies to former CFP® professionals who received a suspension or temporary Bar for more than one year.
This map applies to CFP® professionals who have engaged in, or are alleged to have engaged in, certain serious conduct.
This map applies to anyone subject to an Interim Suspension Order (ISO).
This map applies to individuals who have received a Final Order or an Administrative Order.
This document includes definitions for common terms related to upholding the ethical standards.
Handbook for Respondents
To assist individuals involved in an investigation or hearing, this handbook addresses questions about each step of CFP Board’s enforcement and adjudication processes.
Additional Resources
CFP Board has produced a number of materials that can help you navigate the investigation and hearing processes. You may also email questions about CFP Board’s standards and enforcement process.
Procedural Rules
Read the rules that govern CFP Board’s processes for hearings, settlements, appeals, reinstatements and related matters.
Sanction Guidelines
These guidelines identify specific conduct in violation of CFP Board's Code and Standards and the types of sanctions deemed appropriate for that conduct.
Case Histories
See summaries and public sanction orders from actual cases that have been reviewed by CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission.