CFP® Exam Details
An individual is required to meet certain requirements, put forth by CFP Board, in order to qualify for certification. CFP Board refers to the requirements as the 4 E's to CFP® certification. View these qualifications and other exam details below.
Education
Each candidate must meet the knowledge criteria set forth by CFP Board prior to sitting for the exam. There are three ways candidates can fulfill the required education:
1. Complete a CFP Board-registered Education Program
Academic programs include for-credit and non-credit certificate programs, as well as undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Learn more about the College for Financial Planning-a Kaplan Company's education program offerings here.
2. Apply for Accelerated Path
Previous education and licenses may fulfill CFP Board education requirements and allow you to apply for the exam with Accelerated Path. Academic degrees and credentials that fulfill the education requirement* include:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - inactive license acceptable
- Licensed attorney - inactive license acceptable
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
- PhD in business or economics
- Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®)
*This does not include the Financial Plan Development Course, which challenge candidates must fulfill.
3. Request a Transcript Review
Successful completion of upper-division level college courses or certain industry credentials recognized by CFP Board may satisfy some or all of the education requirements.
Bachelor's Degree Requirement
Candidates must earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within five years after passing the exam to receive CFP® certification. Attaining a bachelor's degree is not a requirement to be eligible to take the CFP® exam and does not have to occur before sitting for the exam or fulfilling the work experience.
Exam
The CFP® exam is a computer-based testing format consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions that tests your ability to apply your financial planning knowledge to client situations. It will be presented in two 3-hour sessions separated by a 30-minute scheduled break. It is offered three times a year in March, July, and November at almost 50 locations nationwide. Click here to register for an exam slot.
Experience
Professional experience (6,000 hours) in relevant personal financial planning activities, or Apprenticeship experience (4,000 hours) that meets additional requirements, is required to meet the Experience requirement. This experience must be completed in ten years preceding the exam and within five years after the exam in order to receive CFP® certification.
Ethics
Applicants for CFP® certification agree to adhere to high standards of ethics and practice outlined in CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. The certification application requires you to complete the Ethics declaration.
CFP Board conducts a background check and reviews the results to determine whether your conduct meets specific character and fitness standards for candidates for CFP® certification.
For more information, click here.
CFP® Certification Renewal Requirements
Once certified, CFP® professionals must complete three renewal requirements every two years:
- Submit a properly completed certification application
- Pay a non-refundable $325 certification fee
- Complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education (CE).
The CE requirement must include 2 hours of CFP Board approved ethics CE.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP®(with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with plaque logo) certification marks. CFP® certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is an education and exam prep review provider for the CFP® Certification Examination administered by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFP Board does not endorse any education or review course or receive financial remuneration from education or review course providers.