Interested in becoming a CFP®?

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ credential is the most widely recognized and respected title in the financial field. To maintain such high esteem for those holding a CFP®, the path to becoming certified is rigorous.

CFP® Certification Requirements

In order to obtain the CFP® certification, there are the four E’s: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics.

Education: CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related course work to CFP Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.
Since 2007, in addition to fulfilling the education requirement, a bachelor's degree in any discipline became necessary to attain CFP® certification.

Completion of the Emory Financial Planning Certificate Program both fulfulls the CFP® educational requirement and prepare you for success in the financial planning field.

Examination: CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. The exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
Experience: CFP® professionals must have three years minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.
Ethics: As a final step to certification, CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which demonstrates their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.

CFP® Certification Exam cost

The fee for the examination is $595 and can be paid with a credit card. If you do not pass the exam, you are required to retake the entire exam again. There is no limit on the number of times you may retake the exam; however, the $595 fee is required for each retake.

CFP® Certification Exam format

The CFP® Certification Exam is a rigorous professional exam given over a two-day period for a total of 10 hours divided into one four-hour session (Friday afternoon) and two three-hour sessions (Saturday). The exam is offered three times a year, in March, July and November.

The exam consists of multiple choice questions and three major case problems. The exam tests comprehension, synthesis and evaluation as well as knowledge of facts and terms.

Learn how Emory can prepare you to become a certified CFP® practitioner. Visit our CFP® Program Information page to find out more!

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Emory University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered certification marks. CFP® certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.

Emory University is a CFP Board approved educational institution providing the instruction leading up to the CFP® Examination. It does not determine individuals eligibility, qualification, or any other condition required to acquiring and maintaining the CFP® Certification. Emory University is not responsible for information beyond the education program it offers. Individuals must contact CFP Board at http://www.cfp.net for all matters regarding the acquiring and maintaining of the CFP® Certification

Steps to achieving your CFP® certification

Complete the education requirement by earning an Emory Financial Planning Certificate
Pass the CFP® Examination
Meet the experience requirement
Agree to adhere to CFP® Board's Code of Ethics and pass background check
Pay your certification fees
Receive authorization to use the CFP® certification marks