Why a CFP®?
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PRACTITIONERS are dedicated to using the financial planning process to serve the financial needs of individuals, families and businesses. Most CFP® professionals have earned a four-year college degree in finance-related areas, and have completed a course of study in financial planning approved by CFP® Board. To earn the prestigious CFP® certification and remain certified, individuals must meet four main requirements.
- Education. Candidates for certification must show the attainment of certain educational requirements before sitting for the exam. Once they become CFP® certificants, they must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to stay current in financial planning knowledge, including ethics.
- Examination. They must successfully complete the CFP® Certification Examination, which tests the individual’s knowledge on various key aspects of financial planning.
- Experience. They must acquire three years of financial planning-related experience before receiving the right to use the CFP® marks.
- Ethics. They must voluntarily ascribe to CFP Board’s code of ethics and additional requirements as mandated. CFP® practitioners who violate the code can be disciplined, including the permanent loss of the right to use the marks.
Compliance with these four all-important areas assures you that an individual who holds the CFP® certificate is well prepared and qualified to give you sound, professional advice. As a result of its established recognition and credibility as a symbol of educational competence and continued commitment to financial planning excellence, the Financial Planning Association®(FPA®) recommends the use of a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PRACTITIONER for your financial planning needs.