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Certifications and Designations


Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of the CFP Board are eligible to use the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification. CFP® certification requires the following:

  • Education
    CFP® professionals must complete college- or university-level coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program designed to develop the theoretical and practical knowledge required for comprehensive financial planning.
  • Examination
    After completing the required coursework, CFP® certification candidates must pass the CFP® Certification Exam, a comprehensive six-hour examination designed to assess their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in real-world situations. The exam covers areas such as the financial planning process, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, insurance and risk management, and employee benefits. Its rigor is often compared to that of other respected professional credentialing exams, such as the CPA exam for accountants.
  • Experience
    CFP® professionals must complete the equivalent of at least three years of qualifying professional experience related to the financial planning process, or two years of qualifying apprenticeship experience, before earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks.
  • Ethics
    CFP® professionals agree to abide by CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
  • Continuing Education
    CFP® professionals must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including a CFP Board-approved ethics course, to maintain their certification.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation demonstrates a foundational understanding of fiduciary principles, standards of conduct, and prudent investment fiduciary practices. To earn the designation, candidates must complete specialized fiduciary training, pass an examination, satisfy eligibility requirements, and agree to adhere to a code of ethics and conduct standards.

The designation reflects training in a disciplined fiduciary process and helps professionals apply prudent investment practices in their own work and assist clients and organizations in developing and maintaining appropriate fiduciary policies and procedures.

The American College of Financial Services offers a Business Succession Planning Certificate designed for professionals who advise business owners on succession and transfer strategies. To earn the certificate, candidates must successfully complete three graduate-level courses covering financial statement analysis, business valuation, and business succession planning.

The Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC®) designation was created in 1999 and focuses on the discipline of extended care planning. The program provides professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to discuss the financial, physical, and emotional consequences that longevity and long-term care needs may have on clients and their families. Students learn strategies to help clients prepare for and mitigate these risks through comprehensive long-term care planning.

The CLTC® designation has been recognized and supported by The American College, NAIFA, and major insurance carriers.

The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is a graduate-level specialization in estate planning awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC). The designation is available to qualified estate planning professionals who already hold recognized professional credentials in disciplines such as law, accounting, financial planning, insurance, philanthropy, and trust services, and who embrace the team concept of estate planning.

The AEP® designation is awarded to professionals who meet rigorous requirements for experience, education, knowledge, professional reputation, and character, and who demonstrate a significant commitment to the practice of estate planning.