FPSB | Financial Planning Standards Board

FPSB | Financial Planning Standards Board

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER credential is the most desired and respected global certification for those seeking to demonstrate their commitment to competent and ethical financial planning practice. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals meet initial and ongoing education, experience and professional development requirements, pass a rigorous exam that assesses competency, and adhere to a code of ethics, pledging to provide financial planning in the interests of clients and with the highest ethical and professional standards.

CFP Certification Requirements

 
 
 

Value of CFP Certification

By completing internationally recognized initial and ongoing CFP certification requirements, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional demonstrates to clients and potential clients a commitment to professionalism and that she or he has met rigorous competency, ethics and professional practice standards to provide comprehensive financial planning services. CFP certification benefits a variety of individuals and groups, including:
  • The Public

    The Public

    Consumers rely on the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER marks to help them identify competent, ethical financial planners who have committed to placing their clients’ interests first.

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  • Practitioners

    Practitioners

    Financial planners and financial advisers value CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification, with many saying they were able to increase both their compensation and client base within 12 months of becoming certified with the CFP marks.

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  • Firms

    Firms

    Financial services firms value CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals for their contributions to productivity and profitability, as well as for lowering firms’ compliance risks and increasing client satisfaction.

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  • Regulators

    Regulators

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals rate compliance with relevant laws and regulations, adherence to an ethical code and acting in the best interest of clients as most important when providing financial planning advice to clients.

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CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Certification Program

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification is the only globally recognized symbol of excellence for financial planning. Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) and its network of affiliate organizations administer, or are preparing to administer, the CFP certification program globally in 27 countries and territories. At the end of 2023, there were over 223,700 CFP professionals worldwide.

CFP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

 
 

FPSB’s Pathway Programs

As FPSB introduces the high-level CFP certification program to a territory, some market participants and FPSB affiliate organizations welcome the creation of one or more pathway educational and credentialing programs to create a career path to CFP certification and encourage financial services practitioners on the journey to financial planning professionalism.

FPSB’s Pathway Programs

Cross-Border Practice

Given the nature of the global economy, financial planners often work beyond the borders of their own territories when providing services. They may collaborate with CFP professionals outside of their home jurisdictions, expand their practices to serve clients from anywhere, as well as move from one territory to another or work in multiple territories.

How FPSB Supports Cross-Border Practice

CFP-marks-large

FPSB owns the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP Mark certification and service marks (the CFP Marks) outside the United States, and permits qualified individuals to use the marks to indicate that they meet FPSB’s initial and ongoing certification standards and requirements. CFP professionals may use the CFP marks in the territory or region in which they are certified.