Steps to Achieve CFP® Certification

• Complete a CFP Board-Registered Education Program
  These programs are offered via various delivery formats and schedules including classroom instruction, self-study and online delivery, such as our Accelerated Certificate in Financial Planning programs.
  
  
• Apply for Challenge Status
  Certain degrees and professional credentials fulfill the educational requirement and allow exempted professionals to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination (these Challenge candidates should consider completing a CFP Review Course to prepare for the CFP® Exam).
  
  Academic degrees and credentials that fulfill the educational requirements include:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - inactive license acceptable
    
  • Licensed attorney - inactive license acceptable
    
  • Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
    
  • Doctor of Business Administration
    
  • Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
    
  • Ph.D. in business or economics
    
  • Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
  
  
• Request a Transcript Review
  Certain industry credentials recognized by CFP Board, or the successful completion of upper-division level college courses, may satisfy some or all of the education requirements set by CFP Board.
  
  
• Bachelor’s Degree Requirement
  A bachelor's degree (or higher), or its equivalent, in any discipline, from an accredited college or university is required to attain CFP® certification. The bachelor's degree requirement is a condition of initial certification; it is not a requirement to be eligible to take the CFP® Certification Examination. After candidates pass the CFP® Certification Examination, they will be required to provide evidence (photocopy of degree) that they meet this requirement.

• The 10-hour exam is divided into three separate sessions – one four-hour session on Friday afternoon, and two three-hour sessions on Saturday
  
• All questions are multiple choice, including those questions related to case problems
  
• The exam is a pencil-and-paper format
  
• Exam results are released approximately eight weeks after the exam date
  
• The CFP® Certification Examination is a pass or fail exam
  
• Pass rate – approximately 55% of CFP® candidates pass the CFP® Certification Examination on their first attempt
  
• If you fail the CFP® Certification Examination and elect to retest, you are required to retake the entire exam; there is no limit on the number of times you may retake the exam

• The exam is administered three times per year - generally on the third Friday and Saturday of March, July and November
  
• The Exam is offered at about 50 domestic testing locations
  
• The application deadline is approximately seven weeks prior to each exam date (e.g., February 1, June 1, and October 1)
  
• Application forms can be downloaded or mailed to you (800-487-1497)
  
• Completed applications, including payment of the $595 fee, must be received by the deadlines printed on the applications

• The delivery of all, or of any portion, of the personal financial planning process to a client
  
• The direct support or supervision of individuals who deliver all, or any portion, of the personal financial planning process to a client
  
• teaching all, or any portion, of the personal financial planning process

• A one-time, non-refundable initial certification application fee of $100 for the background checks as noted above
  
• A biennial certification fee of $360

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Bank Training Center offers CFP training classes and CFP Review Courses for those individuals interested in passing the CFP Exam earning the prestigious Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, Certifed Financial Planner®, and CFP®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.