CFP certification (Certified Financial Planner)
From CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards)
Go to the official page ↗Direct official link
What you'll learn
You complete registered coursework, pass a 170 question exam on the financial planning process, log supervised experience and commit to CFP Board's ethics standards.
- CFP Board Registered Program coursework
- 170 question CFP exam
- 6,000 hours of experience or 4,000 apprenticeship hours
- Ethics declaration and background check
Source: the provider's official page ↗
Is this right for you?
- Level
- Advanced Experienced professionals ready for a senior credential.
- What you get
- A certification employers can verify, made for the top of your résumé and your LinkedIn profile.
- How you learn
- In person, about 12 to 18 months.
- How to use it
- Put it at the top of your résumé and under Licenses and certifications on LinkedIn, with the verification link so hirers can confirm it in seconds. Name it in every application that uses this skill, and send it straight to recruiters and hiring managers.
- Why it's worth it
- An industry certification hiring managers recognize by name. It instantly sets you apart from applicants who only claim AI skills, and it travels with you to every job you apply for.
What you will payPrice not publishedThe provider does not publish a price. Ask before you commit.
- Time
- Coursework typically 12 to 18 months; exam is 170 questions in two 3 hour sessions.
- Before you start
- CFP Board Registered Program coursework, a bachelor's degree (within 5 years of the exam), 6,000 hours of experience or 4,000 apprenticeship hours, ethics declaration and background check.
- How you are tested
- Proctored exam offered in set windows (March, July and fall).
- Renewal
- Ongoing CE and ethics requirements set by CFP Board.
- Full cost details
- Exam registration 825 dollars early bird, 925 dollars standard, 1,025 dollars late (October 2026 window); coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program is extra.
- Where it applies
- United States.
Jobs asking for this
See live job postings that mention CFP certification.
Open to work?Join the free Open to Work list so hirers looking for this credential can find you. No phone number needed.
Join the listChecked at the source Oct 23, 2026
Sources and what we verified
CFP Board: education, exam, experience and ethics requirements ↗CFP Board: exam dates and registration fees ↗What we verified: Requirements and 2026 exam fees confirmed on CFP Board pages; 2027 fees not yet listed.
Fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the issuer before you pay.
Also listed for: AI for Financial Advisers and Investment Analysts