Get Started on Your Required Education for CFP® Certification
Pursue your education for CFP® certification with College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company, the creator of the nation’s premier financial planning credential. Wealthmanagement.com recently ranked the College #1 in its list of 15 Top-Ranked Instructor-Led Online Certificate Programs for the CFP® Exam.*
Our industry-leading education program is the one that 1/3 of all CFP® exam takers turn to year after year.† Taught by expert faculty, our program combines:
- a streamlined curriculum aligned with the specific learning objectives defined by CFP Board and
- an innovative learning platform to help you earn your CFP® mark and succeed throughout your financial planning career
Unique features of our learning platform help you stay on track to completing your education, whether you prefer a one-year structured-pace program or a program where you set the completion date.
- an Activity Feed guides you dynamically through coursework and tools each week so you have a truly integrated, efficient study experience
- a Performance Tracker lets you know how you're progressing with assignments
The exam pass rate for students who complete a CFP® education program through the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is consistently higher than the national pass rate. The College typically sees pass rates between 3 - 6% percentage points above the national pass rate.‡ Since the March 2012 exam (when CFP Board revised the exam blueprint), over 13,500 CFP® certificants have come from the College’s program.
Each step of the way, expert faculty are there to help you master the coursework necessary to sit for the CFP® exam and help you gain the practical knowledge that puts our graduates ahead of the curve. After obtaining their most recent credential through College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company:
- 72% of advisors report an increase in clients, and
- CFP® certificants specifically see a 12% increase in earnings
At the end of our 7-course curriculum you'll earn a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning. Most coursework you complete as part of the CFP® certification education program provides stackable credit towards a Masters in Personal Financial Planning in your future.
*Wealthmanagement.com, The 15 Top-Ranked Instructor-Led Online Certificate Programs for the CFP Exam, May 2021.
†Source: CFP Board, July 2021. CFP®️ Certification Examination Statistics. Cumulative statistics include exam taker population data from March 2012 through July 2021. Exams since the administration of the current form of the CFP®️ exam.
‡ Source: CFP Board, July 2021. CFP®️ Certification Examination Statistics. Cumulative statistics include exam taker population data from July 2018 through July 2021.
Education Program Learning Methods
Live Online Class
(Structured Pace, 1-Year Program)
Our Premium Package brings together our instructor-led education and exam prep review in one convenient bundle. Begin live online classes in July 2022 and prepare to sit for the July 2023 exam. Attend class from the comfort of your home or office, with classes archived for further review.
Compare Our Education Packages
Not sure which package fits your needs? Compare our education packages below.
No matter which style best fits your needs, you’ll master the 8 major domains covered on the CFP® exam through our 7-course curriculum.
Premium
Our Premium Package is best for individuals who prefer a structured schedule of instructor-led classes for their education, followed by an Exam Prep Review.
- Education: Live Online Class + archived sessions
- Exam Prep Review: Choice of Onsite, Live Online, or OnDemand Class
- Class cohorts start March, July, and November
- Program length: 12 months*
*Fixed schedule of 9 months for education + 3 months for exam prep review
EssentialPlus
Our EssentialPlus Package is best for individuals who prefer to complete their education at their own pace and still learn from an expert instructor.
- OnDemand Class (prerecorded video lectures)
- Start anytime
- Program length: flexible
Exam Prep Review is available separately.
Essential
Our Essential Package is for motivated self-starters who prefer to complete their education at their own pace without a class component.
- Self-Study
- Start anytime
- Program length: flexible
Exam Prep Review is available separately.
Preview our Learning Platform
Whether you prefer Live Online classes, OnDemand classes or a Self-Study option to pursue your CFP® mark, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company’s curriculum and award-winning learning platform will set you up for success ...for exam day and for your financial planning career.
This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between August 31 and November 18, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 798 2021 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® certification and who answered this question
Need a little guidance?
Connect with our team of Designation Specialists to discuss what CFP® certification program is right for you.
Solutions for Universities
Solutions for Businesses
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.