Education Requirement
Fulfill The Two Education Requirements
Complete a CFP Board Registered Program and earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Prior education or credentials may qualify you for an accelerated path.
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Whether starting your CFP® certification, prepping for the exam, or seeking CE credits, the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company provides flexible formats for our CFP Board Registered Program and proven study tools to support your entire career.
Learn from the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company the original creators of the CFP® mark. With decades of leadership in financial education, the College is trusted by professionals and employers alike.
Choose Live Online, OnDemand, or self-paced CFP® Certification options built to fit your schedule. Courses are taught by experienced CFP® professionals who bring real-world planning expertise to every lesson.
Get exam-ready with comprehensive CFP® exam review, including practice questions, performance tracking, and PassProtection™. The College provides the structure, support, and confidence you need for exam day.
Complete the 7-course CFP® certification education program and earn a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning. Many credits may be applied toward a future master’s degree, extending the value of your investment.
CFP® certificants from our education progam
first time pass rate by CFFP® students on the November 2025 exam (exceeding the 65% first time national pass rate)
of all CFP® exam takers turned to our CFP Board Registered Program among 300+ programs.**
Education Requirement
Fulfill The Two Education Requirements
Complete a CFP Board Registered Program and earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Prior education or credentials may qualify you for an accelerated path.
Exam Requirement
Demonstrate Your Expertise By Passing the Exam
Pass the CFP® exam, a comprehensive, computer-based assessment that evaluates your ability to apply comprehensive personal financial planning advice.
Experience Requirement
Put Knowledge Into Practice
Fulfill either 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process experience or 4,000 hours through an apprenticeship pathway.
Ethics Requirement
Commit to High Ethical and Professional Standards
Agree to CFP Board’s Code of Ethics, complete a background check, and maintain certification through ongoing ethics and continuing education.
Our free resources are designed to help you understand the CFP® certification process and study more effectively, so that you can achieve your goal of passing the CFP® exam.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with plaque logo) certification marks. CFP® certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is an education and exam prep review provider for the CFP® Certification Examination administered by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFP Board does not endorse any education or review course or receive financial remuneration from education or review course providers.
Original Creator of the CFP® Mark: In 1969, the International Association for Financial Planners (IAFP) and the College for Financial Planning were created to help meet the financial needs of Americans. In 1985, the College entered an agreement to establish an independent, nonprofit certifying and standards-setting organization. Ownership of the CFP® marks and responsibility for continuing the CFP® certification program was transferred to the new organization, International Board of Standards and Practices for Certified Financial Planners, Inc. (IBCFP), now known as CFP Board. For more information please visit https://www.cfp.net/about-cfp-board/history.
#1 Ranked Online Instructor-Led CFP® Certification Program: Source: Wealthmanagement.com, The 15 Top-Ranked Instructor-Led Online Certificate Programs for the CFP Exam, May 2021.
Fa-mag.com, The 10 Best Online CFP Programs, July 2021.
82% Reported Career Satisfaction After Earning CFP® Certification: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between June 27 and August 7, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 951 2022 and 2023 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 182 graduates whose most recent professional designation earned was the CFP® mark and who answered this question.
91% Reported Increased Confidence Speaking with Clients: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between June 27 and August 7, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 951 2022 and 2023 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 167 graduates whose most recent professional designation earned was the CFP® mark, are working in a financial planning role, and answered this question.
16% Earnings Increase: Earnings increases are dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, completion of the specialized financial designation, including specific employment conditions and individual experience. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not guarantee any earnings increase resulting directly from such designation. Results are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning between June 27 and August 7, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 951 2022 and 2023 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English. This earnings increase was based on 155 graduates whose most recent certification was the CFP® mark and who were employed in a financial planning role both the year before and the year after receiving the CFP® mark.
*CFP Board Report for College for Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Examination Statistics for the July 2024 administration of exam (July 9 - 16, 2024). CFP® Certification Professional Education Program - Structured-Pace, CFP® Certification Professional Education Program - Self-Paced, Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning.
**Approximately 1/3 (28%) of All CFP® Exam Takers: Source: CFP Board, November 2023. CFP® Certification Examination Statistics. Cumulative statistics since the first administration of the current form of the exam in March 2022.