Continuing Education Exemptions
Recognition of Completion of an FP Canada Professional Education Program
QAFP® Professionals who pass the QAFP exam prior to June of 2024 have one year from their date of certification to complete either CFP Professional Education Program or QAFP Professional Education Program.
To recognize the extent of and currency of learning resulting from successful completion of a Professional Education Program, QAFP professionals are exempt from CE requirements in all categories, including the category of Professional Responsibility, in the year they pass the QAFP exam and the following two consecutive calendar years. Candidates who do not obtain certification within two consecutive calendar years following the year they pass the QAFP exam are not eligible for this CE exemption.
To recognize the extent of and currency of learning resulting from successful completion of a Professional Education Program, CFP professionals are exempt from CE requirements in all categories, including the category of Professional Responsibility; in the year they pass the CFP examination and additional, consecutive years as follows:
| Certification Path | CE Exemptions | In Recognition of Successful Completion of: |
| Direct Path to CFP Certification | 2 years | CFP Professional Education Programs |
| QAFP Certification Bridge Path to CFP Certification | 2 years | QAFP Professional Education Program and QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program or CFP Professional education Program |
| Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to CFP Certification | 2 years | CFP Professional Education Program |
| Pl. Fin. Path to CFP Certification | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign CFP Professional Path to CFP Certification | 2 years | CFP Professional Education Program |
Candidates who do not obtain certification within two calendar years following the year they pass the CFP examination are not eligible for this CE exemption.
Leaves of Absence
A CFP professional or QAFP professional may request an exemption from CE requirements for the calendar year in which they take a leave of absence from employment/practice in the event of maternity/parental or medical/disability leave.
Any other requests for CE exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Maternity/Parental Leave
You will be exempt from the annual CE requirement for the calendar year coinciding with the birth/adoption of your child. Upon request, the exemption of the annual CE requirement may be split evenly across two consecutive years. A CE Exemption Request Form must be submitted to FP Canada with a copy of the child’s birth certificate and/or adoption papers.
The CE exemption for maternity/parental leave is limited to one calendar year, even though you may choose to take an extended leave. In the event of subsequent births/adoptions, a separate CE Exemption Request Form must be submitted with the birth certificate and/or adoption papers for each child.
Medical/Disability Leave
You will be exempt from the annual CE requirement in the calendar year coinciding with an approved medical/disability leave of at least six months. A CE Exemption Request Form must be submitted to FP Canada with a current medical report and/or doctor’s note.
If a CE exemption is required for consecutive years, you must re-apply for the CE exemption annually and provide an up-to-date medical report and/or doctor’s note that explains the reason for the extended medical/disability leave. Consecutive CE exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.