Why Pursue CFP® Certification

Whether you're new to the industry or an experienced financial planner, you know about the prestigious CFP® certification and what it can mean to your future. The CFP® mark inspires confidence consumers need from their advisors. As the highest standard of excellence, earning your CFP® mark will open up tremendous opportunities.

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The demand for personal financial advisors is expected to grow faster than average, at a rate of 7% through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners for more than 30 years and can accelerate your career. Here's how:

Boost Your Value in the Industry

  • Gain additional education and knowledge of all aspects of your customers' financial planning needs.
  • 83% of CFP®  professionals say they have a competitive edge over other financial advisors.1

Attract More Clients

  • 4 out of 5 consumers prefer an advisor who takes all areas of their financial life into account.2
  • Approximately 72% of respondents to our Survey of Trends reported that their number of clients increased after obtaining their most recent credential.3

Enhance Your Earning Potential

  • CFP® certificants report a 12% increase in earnings after obtaining their CFP® mark.3
  • CFP® professionals continue to generate more revenue annually per practice and revenue per client overall than non-CFP® financial advisors.4

CFP® Certification Programs for Your Career Path

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 Not Sure if You’re Ready for CFP® Certification?

We offer a variety of professional designations that will help you set yourself apart as a financial advisor while preparing you for the rigors of the CFP® exam program. Our professional designations allow you to focus on a subject area to specialize, or build a foundation across all the principles of financial planning. 

Learn More

 

1 CFP Board website, www.cfp.net/why-cfp-certification/why-get-certified
2 CFP Board website, www.cfp.net/why-cfp-certification/the-standard-of-excellence 
3 College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan Company, Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry, 2020. 
4Transitioning to Financial Planning: The Benefits of CFP Certification, Aite Group LLC, Dennis Gallant, October 2019.

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.