CFP Exam - Qualifying

Two Ways To Go

To qualify to write the exam, you must either:

1. Complete an FPSC Accredited Education Program, or
2. Hold a professional designation under the Approved Prior Credential Policy and have (3) three years of personal financial planning related work experience.

FPSC Accredited Education Path

By successfully completing an FPSC Accredited Education Program, candidates will qualify to write the CFP Examination. Candidates must attempt the CFP Examination within five (5) years of their program completion date.

For more details, please read the Guide to CFP Examination (PDF Format).

Approved Prior Credential Policy

Alternatively, candidates may attempt the CFP Examination if they have three years of personal financial planning-related work experience and currently hold one of the following credentials:

• Professional accountants (CA, CGA, CMA)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
• Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA)
• Members of provincial law society
• PhD in finance, business or economics

Work experience requirements must be satisfied before taking the exam, and other conditions may apply. If this path applies to you, please read more details in the FPSC Approved Prior Credentials Policy. For more details in general, please read the Guide to CFP Examination (PDF Format).

Next Steps

If you have completed all qualifications for the exam which are relevant to you, please continue on to Part Two: Applying for the CFP® Examination.