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Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Designation Essentials
Status Currently offered and recognized by the issuing organization
Issuing Organization CFP Board of Standards
Qualification and Training Requirements
Prerequisites

Candidates must have:

  • a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and
  • 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements.
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, available online or in-person
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