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CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP)

Designation Essentials
Status Currently offered and recognized by the issuing organization
Issuing Organization Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Qualification and Training Requirements
Prerequisites

Candidates must have:

  • a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and
  • three years of full-time personal financial planning experience or the equivalent part-time experience (2,000 hours equals one year full-time).
Designation Training Requirements

Complete a CFP-board registered program, or hold one of the following:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
  • Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Ph.D. in financial planning, finance, business administration or economics
  • Doctor of Business Administration
  • attorney's license

CFP certification from outside the U.S.
Designation Exam Type

Proctored final certification exam
Continuing Education Requirements

30 hours every two years
Verification and Complaints
Online Designation Resource

Online at Verify a CFP Professional
Investor Complaint Process

Online at File a Complaint
Published List of Disciplined Designees

Online at Disciplined Individuals by State