Original Creator of the CFP® Mark: In 1969, the International Association for Financial Planners (IAFP) and the College for Financial Planning were created to help meet the financial needs of Americans.
In 1985, the College entered an agreement to establish an independent, nonprofit certifying and standards-setting organization. Ownership of the CFP® marks and responsibility for continuing the CFP® certification program was transferred to the new organization, International Board of Standards and Practices for Certified Financial Planners, Inc. (IBCFP), now known as CFP Board. For more information, please visit www.cfp.net/about-cfp-board/history.
86% Reported Increased Confidence Speaking with Clients: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between October 10 and November 7, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 1,099 College for Financial Planning® past students was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 621 respondents who earned a professional designation, license, or certification; are working in a financial planning role; and answered this question.
81% Reported an Increase in Client Base: Increase in client base is dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, completion of the specialized financial designation, including specific employment conditions and individual experience. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not guarantee any increase in clients resulting directly from such designation. Results are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning® between October 10 and November 7, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 1,099 College for Financial Planning® past students was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 546 respondents who earned a professional designation, license, or certification; worked in a financial planning role both the year before and the year after receiving their last professional designation, license, or certification; and answered this question.
77% Career Satisfaction: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between October 10 and November 7, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 1,099 College for Financial Planning® past students was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 819 respondents who earned a professional designation, license, or certification and who answered this question.
21% Earnings Increase: Earnings increases are dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, completion of the specialized financial designation, including specific employment conditions and individual experience. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not guarantee any earnings increase resulting directly from such designation. Results are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning® between October 10 and November 7, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 1,099 College for Financial Planning® past students was interviewed online in English. This earnings increase was based on 587 respondents who were employed in a financial planning role both the year before and the year after receiving their most recent professional designation.