Professional Designation Renewal Requirements

Designation Renewal Guide

Step 1: Check Your Renewal Deadline

You can renew your designation starting 120 days before your renewal due date. It’s best to renew early to avoid any last-minute problems or let your designation expire.

Log in to your Student Portal to check your specific renewal deadline. Reminder emails will be sent to your primary email, so be sure to check your inbox—including your spam or other folders. Keeping your email address updated, especially if you change employers, is your responsibility.

Renewal is not possible before the 120-day window opens. Some designations are renewed on the same date; others may not. If you have multiple designations and are unsure about syncing renewal dates, contact renewals@cffp.edu.

Step 2: Complete Your CE Credits

To renew your designation, you are required to complete 16 Continuing Education (CE) credits within your designated two-year renewal cycle. For MPAS^® designees, this requirement increases to 40 CE credits. During the renewal process, you will be asked to attest that you have successfully completed the necessary CE credits.

Important: You do not need to submit any CE documentation when you renew your professional designation. Your CE credits do not need to be reported or approved before renewal—just make sure you have completed the required credits. However, keep copies of your CE documents, such as certificates of completion, official transcripts, or grade reports, for your own records. You may be asked to provide these if you are randomly selected for a CE audit. If you are selected, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your proof.

Acceptable CE documentation includes:

• Certificates or letters of attendance/completion

• Grade reports

• Official transcripts

Each document must show:

• Your name

• Program name

• Sponsor name

• Date and location of the program

• Number of CE credits earned

• Sponsor’s signature

Note: Screenshots, photographs, spreadsheets, forwarded emails, or PDF screenshots of certificates are not acceptable.

Approved CE Topics:

When completing continuing education (CE) for your professional designation renewal, it’s important to ensure that your CE credits align with approved subject topics. Acceptable topics must relate directly to financial planning and professional development in areas such as investment planning, insurance, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, ethics, and practice management.

Below is a concise list of CE topics that qualify toward your designation renewal.

NOT Accepted CE:

Continuing education (CE) credits earned for professions outside the scope of financial planning or your specific professional designation are not accepted toward your CE renewal requirements. This includes CE completed for industries such as real estate licensing, nursing licenses, teaching credentials, or other unrelated professional certifications and licenses. CE from these fields typically cover topics and regulatory requirements that do not align with the competencies and subject areas mandated for your designation renewal.

Step 3: Comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct

After completing your CE requirements, log into your student account to begin your renewal application. Click the Designation icon, then select the “Renew” button. You will be asked to review and confirm your compliance with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which establish the ethical and professional behavior required of all designees.

You must disclose any:

• Criminal charges or convictions

• Civil matters

• Investigations or actions by regulatory organizations

• Government inquiries related to your professional conduct

If the “Renew” button is not visible, please contact Student Services at 800-237-9990 (option 2). They’re available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT.

Your continued use of the designation depends on the College’s review of these disclosures.

Step 4: Acknowledge the Terms and Conditions

You will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions statement, which outlines your rights to use the College’s marks and the College’s rights to protect those marks from unauthorized use

Step 5: Pay the Renewal Fee

The renewal fee is $100 per designation for a two-year period and is non-refundable.

Late Renewal Students who do not complete their renewal by the renewal date will have their updated renewal date backdated to the original renewal date. The renewal date will not reflect the date the alumni completed the renewal application and paid the fee. If a late renewal is completed, a non-refundable $100 renewal fee will be charged, and the renewal date will be backdated.

Designees holding two or more designations may choose to pay a Multiple Designation Renewal Fee of $100, which will create a single renewal date for all of their College designations. This $100 fee covers the renewal for all designations for a two-year period.