Examination Requirement for CFP Certification

The CFP Certification Examination is designed to benefit the public by assessing the ability of a candidate for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification to apply his or her knowledge, skills and abilities to real-life financial planning situations. A candidate for certification can sit for the CFP Certification Examination after having successfully fulfilled a FPSB Member's education requirement.

By passing the CFP Certification Examination, an individual demonstrates to the public that he or she has the ability to competently practice financial planning without supervision. The CFP Certification Examination in each territory must be administered by the FPSB Member under the strictest examination requirements, as defined by the territory’s higher education and testing authorities.

FPSB Members may deliver the CFP Certification Examination as one comprehensive examination (typically given over one or two days), or as a series of examinations in distinct subject areas that culminate in an integrated or capstone examination, that tests the ability of a candidate to apply his or her knowledge, skills and abilities to real-life financial planning situations.

Formats for the CFP Certification Examination vary based on a territory's educational system and approaches to professional credentialing. Each FPSB Member determines the most suitable format for the marketplace.