CFP® Certification
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification is the industry gold standard in financial planning. CFP professionals are the largest identifiable body of licensed financial planners in Canada with over 17,500 individuals meeting the strict standards of this designation.
Since financial planning is not regulated in most Canadian provinces, anyone can call themselves a "financial planner"; but not everyone who refers to themselves as a planner is indeed qualified. In the absence of government regulation, Canadians seeking competent and ethical financial planning services should look for the CFP mark. CFP certification provides assurance that the planner is committed to internationally-recognized professional standards of competence, ethics and practice as set and enforced in Canada by FPSC.
These Standards include:
- completion of education in financial planning;
- successful completion of rigorous standardized examinations;
- financial planning work experience; and,
- an ethical commitment to putting the client's interest first.
CFP professionals are also held to ongoing rigorous standards through FPSC's continuing education requirements and enforcement processes.
As a certifying organization, FPSC has committed itself to meeting the highest standards of performance. FPSC has received ISO 17024 accreditation by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for its role as the certifying body for the CFP certification program in Canada. This demonstrates that the CFP certification program has met the highest global standards for fairness and diligence, and that the CFP designation is conferred by a body worthy of the trust of consumers, industry and financial planners alike.
Interested in earning CFP certification?
If you are interested in a career in financial planning, obtaining CFP certification demonstrates to your clients that you are committed to exemplifying the industry gold standard in financial planning. Earning CFP certification will equip you with all the skills, abilities and knowledge necessary to be a competent and ethical financial planner working directly one-on-one with clients.
Click on the various steps along the Path to CFP Certification graphic above to learn more about each of the requirements. You can also download the Path to CFP Certification booklet for more information.
| Core Curriculum | Financial Planning Examination Level 1 | Officially register with FPSC | Complete a minimum of 1 year work experience | Capstone Course | Financial Planning Examination Level 2 | Complete Remainder of 3 year work experience |
Certified CFP
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
statusIndicator
|
-
Complete an FPSC-approved Core Curriculum education program
If you are ready to begin the CFP certification process, the first step is to complete your Core Curriculum education. Click here to view a list of FPSC-approved Core Curriculum programs.
If you hold an Approved Prior Credential, you may be exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement. Click here to view Approved Prior Credential Policies. -
Successfully pass Financial Planning Examination Level 1
Once the Core Curriculum education requirement has been met, candidates are eligible to write FPE1, which is offered twice a year - in June and November.
-
Officially register with FPSC
Once candidates have passed FPE1, in order to remain eligible for CFP certification, they must maintain continuous registration with FPSC by becoming a Registered Candidate and agreeing to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Practice Standards.
-
Complete a minimum of one year work experience
Candidates must complete a minimum of one year of qualifying work experience, as well as a Capstone Course, in order to qualify to write FPE2.
-
Complete an FPSC-approved Capstone Course
Candidates must complete a Capstone Course, as well as a minimum of one year of qualifying work experience, in order to qualify to write FPE2.
-
Successfully pass Financial Planning Examination Level 2
After having completed all prior steps, candidates are eligible to write FPE2, which is offered twice a year - in June and November.
-
Complete remainder of required total of three years of work experience
After passing FPE2, to become eligible for CFP certification, candidates must complete any remaining qualifying work experience in order to amass a total of three years.
-
Apply for CFP certification
Once all eligibility criteria have been met, candidates are able to apply to FPSC for CFP certification.
Create an account with FPSC now, or log in to your FPSC account, to view a customized dashboard that will guide you along your path to CFP certification.
Click here to view the complete CFP Certification Guidelines 2010 document.
are certification marks owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB).
Financial Planning Standards Council is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Canada, through agreement with FPSB.
Find Us On
