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Ethics

File a Complaint

If you believe that a CFP® professional has violated the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and would like to report the alleged misconduct, you may submit a complaint form to CFP Board’s Enforcement Department. CFP Board invites complaints from CFP® professionals, other industry professionals, clients of CFP® professionals, and anyone else.

Enforcement Complaint FAQs Video on the Grievance Process

File a Complaint

Please report your complaint in as much detail as possible. CFP Board staff will request additional information and documentation if needed and may request a personal interview if it appears necessary. Your complaint will be investigated if CFP Board determines that the allegations concern a potential violation of CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Please note that pursuant to Article 17.9 of CFP Board’s Procedural Rules, CFP Board Counsel shall provide notice every 6 months to any individual who filed a complaint against a CFP® professional notifying the individual that their complaint remains under review or investigation. When an individual’s complaint is dismissed or finally adjudicated, CFP Board Counsel will notify the individual that a public sanction has or has not been issued.

Watch This Video Overview of CFP Board’s Grievance Process

Grievance process

File by Mail

Open, print and complete the printable complaint form (PDF, 24KB). Mail the completed form to:

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
ATTN: Enforcement Department
1425 K Street NW #800
Washington, DC 20005

File by Fax or Email

You may also send via fax to 202-379-2299 or email to [email protected]

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CFP® PROFESSIONAL YOUR COMPLAINT IS AGAINST

Your Contact Information

(CFP Board will accept an anonymous complaint. It is often the case, however, that preserving a complainant's anonymity may result in CFP Board not being able to conduct a full investigation. To submit an anonymous complaint, enter “Anonymous” for your first and last name.)

Your Complaint

A. Complaint Information

Please describe your complaint and the reasons you believe a violation of CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct occurred.

B. Did the CFP® professional provide you with some type of disclosure document, which described the forms of compensation, potential or real conflicts of interest, services provided, agency or employment relationships and the philosophy or operating method
C. Did you pay a fee to the CFP® professional?
D. Did you sign a written contractual agreement?
E. Have you notified any regulatory authorities in connection with your complaint?
F. Have you begun legal action against this individual?

Upload Documentation

Please upload documentation supporting your complaint, including, where appropriate:

  • Completed Consent to Release Documents to CFP Board.
  • A copy of any written contractual agreement with the CFP® professional.
  • A copy of any disclosure document provided to you, which describes the CFP® professional’s forms of compensation, potential or real conflicts of interest, services provided, agency or employment relationships and the philosophy or operating methods employed.
  • A copy of your Complaint and any other relevant legal pleadings/correspondence.
  • Any additional information or documents you believe are relevant to your Complaint.

To upload documentation using the tool below, the documentation must be uploaded as a single document in Word or PDF format. (If you have multiple documents that cannot be combined, please send them to CFP Board by email, fax or mail.)

Consent to Release Documents to CFP Board

After you submit this complaint form, please fill out and sign the Consent to Release Documents to CFP Board form indicating your willingness to authorize relevant financial institutions to release your financial records and other relevant documents concerning this complaint to CFP Board. Failure to provide a Consent form may limit our ability to gather sufficient evidence in which to evaluate this matter. Please submit your signed Consent form by email to [email protected], by fax to 202-379-2299 (no cover needed), or by mail to: CFP Board, Attn: Professional Standards, 1425 K Street NW #800, Washington, DC, 20005

Download the Consent Form

Acknowledgement