The education requirements for QAFP certification and for CFP certification are tailored for each designation. They include a combination of technical and professional education. A postsecondary diploma for QAFP certification or a degree for CFP certification is also required.

Certification education from the FP Canada Institute™

Well-suited to a changing, fast-paced world, the FP Canada Institute, a division of FP Canada™, offers individuals and industry partners an end-to-end learning path that integrates technical and professional education in support of QAFP certification and CFP certification.

The Institute’s technical and professional courses and programs are developed by QAFP professionals and CFP professionals and provide a direct, efficient and complete path to certification.

The Institute is dedicated to elevating the practice of financial planning through education and support that is affiliated with Canada's most trusted partner in professional financial planning.

The FP Canada Institute: Trusted. End-to-End. Excellence.

The FP Canada Institute Student Handbook

Consult the FP Canada Institute Student Handbook for all policies on the institute’s technical education courses and professional education programs.

Download

Technical and professional education from the FP Canada Institute

Choose a single provider to meet your education requirements for a clear route to QAFP certification or CFP certification.

  • Technical education for the knowledge and technical competence that are key to success  
  • Professional education to enhance your relationship-building skills and develop ethical, holistic financial planning practices

Technical education

The FP Canada Institute provides all the technical education you need for QAFP certification and CFP certification.

The institute's courses meet the knowledge requirements of a QAFP professional or a CFP professional as outlined in the FP Canada Financial Planning Body of Knowledge and the requirements established in FP Canada’s Competency Profiles.

If you hold certain designations and licenses in good standing, you may be eligible for exemptions from technical education requirements on your path to QAFP certification or CFP certification, or if you hold a relevant financial or other professional qualification, you may qualify to pursue an alternate path to certification. 

Find out if you qualify for an exemption or alternate path by reviewing the education requirements for QAFP certification and CFP certification.

Technical education for QAFP certification

Includes six Technical Education—Fundamentals courses, plus a final assessment

 

FP Canada education exemptions

Learn more about whether you qualify for an education exemption

Technical education for CFP certification

Includes six Technical Education—Fundamentals courses, one Advanced course and two final assessments

 

Professional education

All candidates for certification must take the FP Canada Institute QAFP Professional Education Program or the FP Canada Institute CFP Professional Education Program.

Through these unique programs, you apply your technical knowledge in real-world situations, learn how to communicate important messages effectively, and understand the key psychological and behavioural factors that motivate clients and affect their decisions.

 

QAFP Professional Education Program

Focuses on human behaviour skills development through scenario-based training

 

QAFP certification to CFP certification Professional Education Program

A customized program for QAFP professionals who plan to advance to CFP certification

CFP Professional Education Program

Prepares you to handle the most complex client scenarios covered in the technical education

 

Programs from our recognized education providers

You can also fulfill your technical and professional education requirements by completing programs from our recognized education providers.

Recognized education providers

 

Education requirements

Learn about the postsecondary requirements for QAFP certification and CFP certification.

Postsecondary requirements for certification

Find your path to certification

The FP Canada Certification Pathfinder™ is a new approach to help you find your path to becoming a professional financial planner.

Once you’ve created your FP Canada account, your custom dashboard will guide you to certification, recording your progress as you take your next steps.

Get started