A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional from the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) can help you:
- Set realistic financial and personal goals
- Assess your current financial health by examining your assets, liabilities, income, insurance, taxes, investments and estate plan
- Develop a realistic, comprehensive plan to meet your financial goals by identifying financial opportunities and building on financial strengths
CFP® professionals are dedicated to using the financial planning process. To earn the prestigious CFP® certification and remain certified as a CFP® professional, individuals must meet the following requirements:
Education
They must complete a comprehensive course of study offered by a college or university program (ranging from certificate to doctoral degree levels) which covers a personal financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. In addition, they must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Examination
CFP® professionals must successfully complete CFP Board’s comprehensive examination, which tests an individual’s ability to integrate and apply their financial planning knowledge.
Experience
They must acquire three years of financial planning related experience, or a limited 2-year structured option, before achieving the right to use the CFP® marks.
Ethics
They must voluntarily ascribe to CFP Board’s code of ethics and additional requirements as mandated. This includes providing financial planning services as a fiduciary, or acting in the client’s best interest.

