A Guide to Using the CFP® Marks

Not sure how to use the CFP^® marks on your business card? You are not alone. The purpose of this guide is to help you better understand the proper usage of the CFP^® marks. This helps CFP Board protect the value of the trademark.

To begin, it is important to know when to use the ^® and when to the use the ^™. When you spell out “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™, you must use the trademark symbol immediately following it. When you abbreviate to CFP^® you must use the registered mark.

How to use the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Marks

When using CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, there are a number of rules you must follow beyond the ™ mark.

• You must use all capital letters or small cap font.

• You must use the ™ symbol at the end.

• The mark must be associated with individual(s) certified by CFP Board – not companies or groups.

• You may use “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™” following an individual name certified by CFP Board (ex. John Smith, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™)

• If not using with an individual name, you must follow “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™” with one of CFP Board’s approved nouns. These include:

  • Certificant

  • Certification

  • Practitioner

  • Professional

  • Mark

  • Exam

How to Use CFP® Marks

Similarly, when using “CFP^®,” there are a number of rules you must follow beyond the^® mark.

• You must use all capital letters.

• You cannot use periods.

• You must use the ^_® symbol after "CFP^®."

• The mark must be associated with individual(s) certified by CFP Board – not companies or groups.

• You may use “CFP^®” following an individual name certified by CFP Board (ex. John Smith, CFP^®).

• If not using with an individual name, you must follow “CFP^®” with one of CFP Board’s approved nouns. These include:

• Certificant

• Professional

• Practitioner

• Certification

• Mark

• Exam

If you're able to advertise your CFP® Certification, that means it's time to make sure you know about continuing education. You can get more information here.