Professional Designations FAQs

There are no degree or credential prerequisites needed in order to pursue any of our professional designations.

However, some designation programs are designed specifically for more advanced advisors.

For all designation programs except the Sports & Entertainment (SE) Supplemental Education for the AWMA® program Students in all professional designation programs except the Sports & Entertainment (SE) Supplemental Education for the AWMA® Program have 120 days from the date they are provided online access to complete a designation program (including testing and passing the Final Exam).

If you need to extend your program, extensions of up to 60 days are available at a fee. Extensions requests must be received on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable.

Students have 30 days from the date they are provided online access to complete the program (including testing and passing the Final Exam).

If you need to extend your program, extensions of up to 60 days are available at a fee. Extensions requests must be received on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable.

A score of 70% or better is required to pass all professional designation final exams.

Students who do not pass the final exam on the first attempt will be granted a second and FINAL attempt to earn a score of 70% or higher. Students who pass the final exam on their first attempt will not be permitted a second final exam attempt.

Students who do not earn a minimum of 70% after the allotted number of final exam attempts will be required to re-enroll in the professional designation course, pursuant to the Professional Designation Re-Enrollment Policy.

Course extensions may be available for a fee. If available, students must request the extension on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable. If your course offering is eligible for an extension, the following fee(s) will apply:

Contact Student Services at 800-237-9990, option #2 for more information and eligibility.

The College's certification marks may only be used by those individuals specifically authorized by the College. Use of the College's certification marks denote professionals who have successfully completed the requirements of the program and are currently complying with the Standards of Professional Conduct and ongoing renewal requirements.

If you successfully completed the academic requirements of the program and are authorized to use the applicable trademarks or registered service marks for professional designation, please refer to our Professional Designations Marks Usage Guidelines on our Polices & Procedures page.

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Learn more about our stackable credit.

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Learn more about which professional designations earn credit toward our Master's programs.

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Graduates of the following professional designations earn direct credit for one elective course in the College’s Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning:

The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company offers the following two Master of Science degree programs:

A master’s degree program must be completed within 5 years of being accepted into the program.

Please note: Students accepted into a Master of Science degree program must enroll and continue in a course beyond the add/drop period within six months of being accepted into the program. Failure to enroll and continue in a course beyond the add/drop period within six months of acceptance may result in dismissal from the program.

The maximum time limit for degree completion is 5 years from the date of acceptance.

Please note: If you have verifiable extenuating circumstances, you may petition for a program extension (not to exceed one year) prior to being dismissed for failure to complete the program within the maximum time frame allowed. The appeal must be made in writing prior to dismissal and include a plan for successful completion of the remaining degree requirements. Program extension petitions must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@cffp.edu.

For additional details on program policies, please review the College Catalog.