Pursue Your CFP® Certification Education With an Industry Leader
Pursue your education for CFP® certification with College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company, the creator of the nation’s premier financial planning credential. Approximately 1/3 of all CFP® exam takers turned to our CFP Board Registered Program among 300+ programs.‡ Thousands of the College’s students see exam success.
‡ CFP® certification candidates from the College’s education program raised the national exam pass rate by 2 percentage points.
70%
pass rate on the March 2025 exam by our students who took the exam (vs. 65% national pass rate)
#1
ranked instructor-led online certificate programs for the CFP® exam*
21,000+
CFP® certificants have come from the College’s program
1/3
Approximately 1/3 of all CFP® exam takers turn to our CFP Board Registered Program† among 300+ programs.
Stackable Credits
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.
Choose a Class Type That's Right For You
Our 7-course curriculum is taught by instructors who are CFP® professionals and/or have real-world financial planning expertise. No matter what type of class best fits your needs, you’ll master the coursework necessary to sit for the CFP® exam and gain the practical knowledge to succeed throughout your financial planning career through a program that combines:
- a streamlined curriculum aligned with the specific learning objectives defined by CFP Board and
- an innovative learning platform that features an Activity Feed that guides you dynamically through the required coursework and study tools each week so you have a truly, integrated, efficient study experience and Performance Tracker that lets you know how you’re progressing with assignments and topics you need to focus on.
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.
Compare Our Education Packages
Not sure which package fits your needs? Compare our comprehensive education packages and find the one that fits your learning style, schedule, and certification goals.
Your education package includes all textbooks as eBooks. You will receive an email with instructions on how to access materials through the VitalSource® platform.
If you select to also order print textbooks (available at an additional cost), you will receive your soft-bound book via UPS. Books release and ship based on your course start date.
Your education package includes all textbooks as eBooks. You will receive an email with instructions on how to access materials through the VitalSource® platform.
If you select to also order print textbooks (available at an additional cost), you will receive your soft-bound book via UPS. Books release and ship based on your course start date.
Your education package includes all textbooks as eBooks. You will receive an email with instructions on how to access materials through the VitalSource® platform.
If you select to also order print textbooks (available at an additional cost), you will receive your soft-bound book via UPS. Books release and ship based on your course start date.
Your education package includes all textbooks as eBooks. You will receive an email with instructions on how to access materials through the VitalSource® platform.
If you select to also order print textbooks (available at an additional cost), you will receive your soft-bound book via UPS. Books release and ship based on your course start date.
As you progress through each of the modules in your courses, your Activity Feed will prompt you to take Module Quizzes. These quizzes act as checkpoints in your education and mimic the difficulty and format of the actual CFP® exam. At the end of each course, a Practice Exam lets you apply your exam-taking techniques.
A Performance Tracker in our learning platform will identify how well you understand the topics that have been covered and highlight weak areas where more review is needed.
As you progress through each of the modules in your courses, your Activity Feed will prompt you to take Module Quizzes. These quizzes act as checkpoints in your education and mimic the difficulty and format of the actual CFP® exam. At the end of each course, a Practice Exam lets you apply your exam-taking techniques.
A Performance Tracker in our learning platform will identify how well you understand the topics that have been covered and highlight weak areas where more review is needed.
As you progress through each of the modules in your courses, your Activity Feed will prompt you to take Module Quizzes. These quizzes act as checkpoints in your education and mimic the difficulty and format of the actual CFP® exam. At the end of each course, a Practice Exam lets you apply your exam-taking techniques.
A Performance Tracker in our learning platform will identify how well you understand the topics that have been covered and highlight weak areas where more review is needed.
As you progress through each of the modules in your courses, your Activity Feed will prompt you to take Module Quizzes. These quizzes act as checkpoints in your education and mimic the difficulty and format of the actual CFP® exam. At the end of each course, a Practice Exam lets you apply your exam-taking techniques.
A Performance Tracker in our learning platform will identify how well you understand the topics that have been covered and highlight weak areas where more review is needed.
- Full refund of the Premium Exam Prep Review (EPR) cost or
- One (1) complimentary enrollment in another Premium EPR within one year (three exam cycles)
- Full refund of the Premium Exam Prep Review (EPR) cost or
- One (1) complimentary enrollment in another Premium EPR within one year (three exam cycles)
- Full refund of the Premium Exam Prep Review (EPR) cost or
- One (1) complimentary enrollment in another Premium EPR within one year (three exam cycles)
- Full refund of the Premium Exam Prep Review (EPR) cost or
- One (1) complimentary enrollment in another Premium EPR within one year (three exam cycles)
Pay Up Front
Pay Course By Course
Pay Up Front
Pay Course By Course
Pay Course By Course
What Our Students Are Saying
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.
Free Resources for CFP® Certification
Whether you are a prospective or current student, our free resources are crafted to assist you in understanding the CFP® certification journey so that you can achieve your goal of passing the CFP® exam.
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
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.
PassProtection™: Applicable to Premium Exam Prep Review product only. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/cfp/exam-prep-review/pass-protection for more information.
*Wealthmanagement.com, The 15 Top-Ranked Instructor-Led Online Certificate Programs for the CFP Exam, May 2021.
‡ CFFP Students Raise National CFP® Exam Pass Rate by 2 Percentage Points: Source: CFP Board Reports for College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company, CFP® Certification Examination Statistics for the March 2023 administration (March 7-14, 2023), July 2023 administration (July 11-18, 2023), and November 2023 administration (October 31-November 7, 2023) of exams.
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.
Graduate Pass Points: Source: CFP Board, March 2023. CFP® Certification Examination Statistics. Cumulative statistics include exam taker population data from March 2012 through March 2023.
91%/9 Out of 10 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.
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.
78% Reported an Increase in Client Base: Increase in client base is 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 increase in clients resulting directly from such designation. Results are 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 159 graduates whose most recent professional designation earned was the CFP® mark; worked in a financial planning role both the year before and the year after receiving their most recent professional designation; 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.
71% Pass Rate: Source: CFP Board Report for College for Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Examination Statistics for the November 2024 administration of exam (November 6–13, 2024). CFP® Certification Professional Education Program - Structured-Pace, CFP® Certification Professional Education Program—Self-Paced, Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning.
Testimonial: This testimonial was obtained for the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan company. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual; student experiences may vary.