CFP Certification - Earning

Do I have everything I need to receive CFP® Certification?

Your readiness to become a CFP® Professional depends on which path to CFP Certification you followed.

FPSC Approved Education Path

To receive certification under this path, you must at the time of your application for certification (following your successful exam) have:

• Two years of personal financial planning related work experience - Experience must be full-time (35 hours per week) or equivalent part-time (3640 hours). Confirming documentation from a supervisor will be required.
• Agreed to abide by the Code of Ethics - in addition, you must have disclosed past or pending litigation, as well as acknowledged the right of FPSC to enforce the Code of Ethics.
• Agreed to abide by the FPSC Practice Standards.

If you meet these conditions, you should now apply online for CFP Certification.

Approved Prior Credentials Policy

To receive certification under this path, you must at the time of your application for certification (following your successful exam) have:

• Three years of personal financial planning related work experience - Experience must be full-time (35 hours per week) or equivalent part-time (5460 hours). Confirming documentation from a supervisor will be required.
• Agreed to abide by the Code of Ethics - in addition, you must have disclosed past or pending litigation, as well as acknowledged the right of FPSC to enforce the Code of Ethics.
• Agreed to abide by the FPSC Practice Standards.

If you meet these conditions, you should now apply online for CFP Certification.

Next Steps

After receiving your CFP Certification, you are ready to begin the process of holding on to it. Please see Part 5: Retaining CFP Certification.