As of 6/15/20, enrollments in Wealth Management designations will not qualify for state insurance CE. 
Continuing EducationRenewalRequirements

Professional Designation Renewal Requirements


Renewing Your Professional Designation

After earning a professional designation from the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company, you are required to renew it every 2 years to maintain authorization to use the credential.

The renewal process involves five key steps, which are outlined below. To begin, log in to your student account and follow the renewal instructions. For complete details, refer to the College Catalog available on our Academic Policies and Procedures page.

Important: If you hold the LUTCF® designation, please visit the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA) website to review the renewal requirements and complete your renewal.

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Log into your account to complete the following five steps to renew your professional designation

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Designation Renewal Guide

Step 1: Check Your Renewal Deadline

You can renew your designation starting 120 days before your renewal due date. It’s best to renew early to avoid any last-minute problems or let your designation expire.

Log in to your Student Portal to check your specific renewal deadline. Reminder emails will be sent to your primary email, so be sure to check your inbox—including your spam or other folders. Keeping your email address updated, especially if you change employers, is your responsibility.

Renewal is not possible before the 120-day window opens. Some designations are renewed on the same date; others may not. If you have multiple designations and are unsure about syncing renewal dates, contact renewals@cffp.edu.

Step 2: Complete Your CE Credits

To renew your designation, you are required to complete 16 Continuing Education (CE) credits within your designated two-year renewal cycle. For MPAS® designees, this requirement increases to 40 CE credits. During the renewal process, you will be asked to attest that you have successfully completed the necessary CE credits.

Important: You do not need to submit any CE documentation when you renew your professional designation. Your CE credits do not need to be reported or approved before renewal—just make sure you have completed the required credits. However, keep copies of your CE documents, such as certificates of completion, official transcripts, or grade reports, for your own records. You may be asked to provide these if you are randomly selected for a CE audit. If you are selected, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your proof.

Acceptable CE documentation includes:

  • Certificates or letters of attendance/completion
  • Grade reports
  • Official transcripts

Each document must show:

  • Your name
  • Program name
  • Sponsor name
  • Date and location of the program
  • Number of CE credits earned
  • Sponsor’s signature

Note: Screenshots, photographs, spreadsheets, forwarded emails, or PDF screenshots of certificates are not acceptable. 

Approved CE Topics:

When completing continuing education (CE) for your professional designation renewal, it’s important to ensure that your CE credits align with approved subject topics. Acceptable topics must relate directly to financial planning and professional development in areas such as investment planning, insurance, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, ethics, and practice management.

Below is a concise list of CE topics that qualify toward your designation renewal.

  1. Ethical Decision-Making in Financial Planning
  2. Recognizing and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
  3. Understanding Fiduciary Duty
  4. Regulatory Updates from FINRA and SEC
  5. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
  6. CFP Board Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
  7. Ethics in Estate and Tax Planning
  8. Disclosure Requirements and Client Communication
  9. Best Practices in Client Data Protection and Privacy
  10. Professional Liability and Compliance Pitfalls
  11. Cybersecurity Regulations in Financial Services 
  12. Insider Trading and Market Manipulation Risks
  13. Ethics in AI and FinTech Usage 
  14. Due Diligence Responsibilities for Planners
  15. Avoiding Misrepresentation in Product Recommendations
  16. Advertising and Marketing Compliance Rules
  17. Disciplinary Case Studies from CFP Board
  18. Recognizing Financial Elder Abuse
  19. Suitability vs. Fiduciary Standard
  20. Ethics in Working with Vulnerable Populations
  1. Basics of Estate Planning and Probate
  2. Understanding Trusts: Revocable vs. Irrevocable
  3. Planning for Digital Assets in Estates
  4. Charitable Giving and Donor-Advised Funds
  5. Using Life Insurance in Estate Planning
  6. Planning for Blended Families
  7. Estate Tax Minimization Strategies
  8. Business Succession Planning
  9. Special Needs Trust Planning
  10. Planning with Portability and Lifetime Exemption
  11. Asset Titling and Ownership Structures
  12. Gifting Strategies and Gift Tax Rules
  13. Estate Planning for International Clients
  14. Using Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
  15. Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives
  16. Estate Planning with Retirement Accounts
  17. Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT)
  18. Post-Mortem Planning Strategies
  19. Probate Avoidance Techniques
  20. Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  1. Fundamentals of the Financial Planning Process
  2. Understanding the Client’s Financial Life Cycle
  3. Behavioral Finance and Client Psychology
  4. Time Value of Money Calculations
  5. Goal-Based Financial Planning Techniques
  6. Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
  7. Emergency Fund Planning
  8. Financial Statements and Ratio Analysis
  9. Understanding Client Risk Tolerance
  10. Navigating Complex Client Family Dynamics
  11. Net Worth Analysis and Tracking
  12. Principles of Economic Theory for Planners
  13. Conducting a Financial Needs Analysis
  14. Coordinating Financial Planning with Other Professionals
  15. Ethical Responsibilities in the Planning Process
  16. Developing a Comprehensive Financial Plan
  17. Planning with Divorce and Separation
  18. Financial Planning for Millennials and Gen Z
  19. ESG and Sustainable Financial Planning 
  20. Financial Literacy Coaching Techniques
  1. Portfolio Construction and Asset Allocation
  2. Understanding Mutual Funds and ETFs
  3. Risk-Return Tradeoff in Investments
  4. Behavioral Biases in Investing
  5. ESG Investing and Sustainable Portfolios
  6. Investment Policy Statement (IPS) Design
  7. Managing Volatility in Client Portfolios
  8. Tax-Efficient Investing Strategies
  9. Understanding Alternative Investments
  10. Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
  11. Investment Planning for Retirement Income
  12. Analyzing Economic Indicators and Market Trends
  13. Rebalancing Strategies and Timing
  14. Bond Market Fundamentals
  15. Diversification and Correlation Concepts
  16. Choosing Between Passive and Active Management
  17. Understanding REITs and Real Estate Exposure
  18. Sequence of Returns Risk
  19. Dollar-Cost Averaging vs. Lump-Sum Investing
  20. Investing for High-Net-Worth Clients
  1. Social Security Claiming Strategies
  2. Roth vs. Traditional IRA Planning
  3. Understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
  4. Retirement Income Distribution Strategies
  5. Planning for Early Retirement
  6. Pension Maximization Strategies
  7. Asset Allocation in Retirement
  8. Longevity Risk and Retirement Planning
  9. Medicare and Healthcare Cost Planning
  10. Planning for Long-Term Care Needs
  11. Tax-Efficient Retirement Withdrawals
  12. Retirement Planning for Small Business Owners
  13. Retirement Plan Selection (401(k), SEP, SIMPLE, etc.)
  14. Catch-Up Contributions and Retirement Acceleration
  15. Monte Carlo Simulation in Retirement Forecasting
  16. Guaranteed Income Products (Annuities, etc.)
  17. Coordination of Spousal Retirement Planning
  18. Inherited Retirement Accounts and New Rules
  19. Retirement Readiness and Gap Analysis
  20. Risk Management During Retirement
  1. Life Insurance Needs Analysis
  2. Long-Term Care Insurance Options
  3. Disability Insurance and Income Protection
  4. Health Insurance Planning under the ACA
  5. Understanding Property and Casualty Coverage
  6. Umbrella Insurance and Liability Protection
  7. Business Continuation Insurance
  8. Evaluating Policy Riders and Features
  9. Insurance Planning for Small Business Owners
  10. Group vs. Individual Insurance Plans
  11. Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement
  12. Annuities: Suitability and Planning Use
  13. Risk Transfer and Self-Insurance Strategies
  14. Insurance and Estate Planning Integration
  15. Planning for High-Risk Occupations
  16. Captive Insurance Arrangements
  17. Reviewing and Replacing Existing Coverage
  18. Medicare Supplement and Advantage Plans
  19. Policy Ownership and Beneficiary Designation Issues
  20. Case Studies in Risk Management Failures
  1. Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax
  2. Tax Planning Across Life Stages
  3. Capital Gains Tax Strategies
  4. Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving
  5. Income Shifting and Family Tax Planning
  6. Small Business Tax Strategies
  7. Tax Implications of Investment Choices
  8. Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategies
  9. Roth Conversions: When and How
  10. Navigating AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax)
  11. Planning for Tax Bracket Management 
  12. Tax Considerations for Retirement Planning
  13. Estate and Gift Tax Planning
  14. Taxation of Trusts and Estates
  15. Tax Planning with Stock Options and RSUs
  16. Understanding State and Local Tax Issues (SALT)
  17. Tax Planning for Real Estate Investors
  18. Foreign Income and International Tax Rules
  19. Strategies Under Recent Tax Law Changes 
  20. Avoiding IRS Red Flags in Financial Plans
  1. Financial Statement Analysis
  2. GAAP Updates
  3. IFRS Standards
  4. Tax Accounting
  5. Managerial Accounting
  6. Cost Accounting
  7. Accounting Ethics
  8. Audit and Assurance
  9. Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)
  10. Lease Accounting (ASC 842)
  11. Internal Controls
  12. Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting
  13. Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
  14. Budgeting and Forecasting
  15. Deferred Tax Accounting (ASC 740)
  16. Consolidated Financial Statements
  17. Accounting for Investments
  18. Accounting Technology and Automation
  19. Blockchain in Accounting
  20. Risk Management in Financial Reporting

Continuing education (CE) completed for Securities Licensing and Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) requirements may also be applied toward your professional designation CE, as long as it meets the College’s documentation standards. Acceptable documentation includes a certificate of completion, official transcript, or grade report, and must clearly show your full name, the course or program title, the provider’s name, the date and location of the course, the number of CE credits earned, and the provider’s official signature or seal. CE that does not meet these requirements may not be accepted if your records are selected for audit. To ensure your renewal is not delayed, be sure to keep all qualifying documentation in your personal records for future verification.

Below are sample Securities Licensing and Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) CE to count towards professional designation:

  1. Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  2. Fiduciary Duty
  3. Regulatory Updates
  4. Suitability and Know Your Customer (KYC)
  5. Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
  6. Insider Trading Rules
  7. SEC and FINRA Compliance
  8. Portfolio Management Strategies
  9. Retirement Planning
  10. Investment Products Overview
  11. Risk Tolerance and Risk Management
  12. Behavioral Finance
  13. Conflicts of Interest
  14. Cybersecurity and Data Protection
  15. Financial Planning Basics
  16. Client Communications and Disclosures
  17. Market Structure and Trading Rules
  18. Tax-Efficient Investing
  19. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Investing
  20. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
Yes, any continuing education (CE) credits that are authorized and accepted for your CFP® certification renewal will also qualify toward your professional designation renewal with the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company. However, to count toward your renewal, the CE must meet the College’s documentation standards. This means that your CE records must include formal documentation such as a certificate of completion, official transcript, or grade report. Each document must clearly display your name, the program title, the provider’s name, the date and location of the course, the number of CE credits earned, and the provider’s signature or seal. CE that does not meet these documentation standards may not be accepted if you are selected for a CE audit. Be sure to retain all qualifying documentation in your personal records in case verification is required.
  1. 529 Plans and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
  2. Tax Credits for Education (AOTC, LLC)
  3. Balancing Education Funding with Retirement Goals
  4. Education Planning for Special Needs
  5. Life Event Planning (e.g., divorce, remarriage, loss)
  6. Coordinating Tax, Investment, and Insurance Strategies
  7. Real-Life Case Study Walkthroughs
  8. Cross-disciplinary Ethics in Planning
  9. Communicating with Emotional Clients
  10. Active Listening in Client Interviews
  11. Motivational Interviewing Techniques 
  12. Handling Difficult Financial Conversations 
  13. Cross-Cultural Communication in Financial Planning
  14. Leveraging Planning Software 
  15. Automation and AI in Client Service 
  16. Tech Tools for Risk Analysis and Retirement Planning
  17. Blockchain and Its Planning Implications
  18. Planning for Underrepresented Populations
  19. Bias Awareness in Financial Recommendations
  20. Cultural Competency in Client Relations

NOT Accepted CE:

Continuing education (CE) credits earned for professions outside the scope of financial planning or your specific professional designation are not accepted toward your CE renewal requirements. This includes CE completed for industries such as real estate licensing, nursing licenses, teaching credentials, or other unrelated professional certifications and licenses. CE from these fields typically cover topics and regulatory requirements that do not align with the competencies and subject areas mandated for your designation renewal.

Step 3: Comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct

After completing your CE requirements, log into your student account to begin your renewal application. Click the Designation icon, then select the “Renew” button. You will be asked to review and confirm your compliance with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which establish the ethical and professional behavior required of all designees.

You must disclose any:

  • Criminal charges or convictions
  • Civil matters
  • Investigations or actions by regulatory organizations
  • Government inquiries related to your professional conduct

If the “Renew” button is not visible, please contact Student Services at 800-237-9990 (option 2). They’re available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT.

Your continued use of the designation depends on the College’s review of these disclosures.

Step 4: Acknowledge the Terms and Conditions

You will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions statement, which outlines your rights to use the College’s marks and the College’s rights to protect those marks from unauthorized use

Step 5: Pay the Renewal Fee

The renewal fee is $100 per designation for a two-year period and is non-refundable.

Late Renewal Students who do not complete their renewal by the renewal date will have their updated renewal date backdated to the original renewal date. The renewal date will not reflect the date the alumni completed the renewal application and paid the fee. If a late renewal is completed, a non-refundable $100 renewal fee will be charged, and the renewal date will be backdated.

Designees holding two or more designations may choose to pay a Multiple Designation Renewal Fee of $100, which will create a single renewal date for all of their College designations. This $100 fee covers the renewal for all designations for a two-year period

Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Designation Renewals

You may renew your professional designation up to 120 days before your renewal due date. Your new two-year renewal cycle will begin from the original renewal date, not the date of payment. Early renewal ensures you remain in good standing and avoids potential late fees.
Your renewal due date is listed in your student portal under your credential details. If you hold multiple designations, each one may have a different due date unless previously aligned. It’s important to check the portal regularly or contact Student Services to confirm your status.

To stay compliant, you must complete continuing education (CE) hours in approved topics relevant to your professional designation. Most designation holders complete CE in areas such as:

  1. Ethics and Professional Conduct
  2. Regulation and Compliance
  3. Estate Planning
  4. General Principles of Financial Planning
  5. Investment Planning
  6. Retirement Savings and Income Planning
  7. Risk Management and Insurance Planning
  8. Tax Planning 
  9. Accounting 
  10. Securities Licensing and Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) content
  11. CE used to renew your CFP® certification

Additional topics like Bias Awareness and Artificial Intelligence (AI) may also be approved, depending on relevance.

Please refer to Step 2: Complete Your CE Credits and Approved CE Topics in your portal to view the full list of eligible topics for your specific designation.

To complete and submit your renewal, you must take several steps as the process is not automatic. First, log in to your student account. Sign in Here.

Once logged in, click the designation icon located on the left side of the screen. Then, select the blue “Renew” button to start your renewal application. You will be asked to answer attestation questions confirming that you have completed the required 16 CE credits and that you remain in compliance with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which outline the ethical and professional responsibilities of all designees.

Lastly, submit your renewal payment through the student portal to finalize the process.

You do not need to submit any CE documentation when you renew your professional designation. Your CE credits do not need to be reported or approved before renewal—just make sure you have completed the required credits. However, keep copies of your CE documents, such as certificates of completion, official transcripts, or grade reports, for your own records. You may be asked to provide these if you are randomly selected for a CE audit. If you are selected, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your proof.

The standard renewal fee is $100, and this fee covers all active designations you choose to renew at the same time—there is no additional charge for renewing multiple designations. While there is no late fee, late renewals will be backdated to maintain your original renewal schedule. This ensures continuity and alignment with the required two-year renewal cycle.

Please note that renewal, late renewal, and reinstatement are all separate processes, and fees for reinstatement are different from the standard renewal fee. For full details, including current rates, please refer to the Tuition and Fees page.

Yes, if your designation is past the renewal due date, you may still complete a late renewal within the designated grace period. Late renewals are backdated to your original renewal date to preserve your two-year renewal cycle.

However, if your designation has been expired for 2 years or more, you will need to petition for reinstatement. Reinstatement requires approval and carries a $250 reinstatement fee.

For more details, please refer to the Professional Certification Resources section, specifically the information under Reinstatement after Expiration.

Please note that reinstatement is only available to individuals whose designation has been expired for between 2 and 6 years. Eligible individuals may petition for reinstatement by fulfilling all outstanding requirements and paying any applicable fees.

No, you can renew multiple designations at once. The same 16 CE credits and the $100 renewal fee can be applied to all active designations during a single renewal.

If you're unable to complete a multi-designation renewal through your portal, we recommend first renewing one designation, then emailing renewals@cffp.edu to request that the renewal dates for your additional designations be aligned (synced). Be sure to complete the first renewal before requesting the date adjustment for the others.

If selected, you’ll receive a notification by email explaining the audit process. You’ll be asked to submit CE documentation within a specific time frame, usually within 30 days. It’s important to respond promptly and provide accurate documentation to maintain your designation.
If you don’t meet the renewal requirements by the deadline, your designation will become inactive. After a certain period, it may be revoked. Reinstatement is possible but may involve additional steps, fees, and approvals. Always aim to renew on time to avoid disruption.
If you have questions about your renewal status or requirements, please email renewals@cffp.edu. You can also reach out to Student Services by calling 800-237-9990 (option 2). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT, excluding holidays.