The CFP® Designation

The CFP^® certification marks are owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP^® Board). Individuals certified by CFP^® Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the CFP^® certification process that includes education, examination, experience and ethical requirements.

Working with a CFP® professional is an important first step toward reaching your financial goals. Not only do these advisors meet rigorous education and experience requirements, but they are also held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry.

CFP® professionals must master nearly 100 integrated financial planning topics in these categories:

• Investments
• Income tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Employee benefits
• Estate planning
• Risk management
• Insurance

In addition to completing a comprehensive financial planning curriculum approved by CFP^® Board, or equivalent academic coursework, CFP^® professionals are required to complete annual continuing education coursework, including a CFP^® Board-approved code of ethics course, to ensure their competence in financial planning.

CFP^® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP^® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers:

• Establishing and defining the Client-Planner relationship
• Gathering information necessary to fulfill the engagement
• Analyzing and evaluating the client’s current financial status
• Developing recommendations
• Communicating recommendations
• Implementing recommendations
• Monitoring the recommendations
• Practicing within professional and regulatory standards

CFP^® professionals must have a minimum of three years experience in the personal financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP^® certification marks. As a result, CFP^® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.

As a final step to certification, CFP^® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP^® Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP^® Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.