CFP® Professional Education Program
The CFP Professional Education Program teaches students how to apply the technical knowledge from their college, university and other program courses to the practice of financial planning with clients who have situations and/or needs at various levels of complexity. The program introduces models, guidance and techniques for undertaking all phases of the financial planning process as well as key concepts in human behaviour and ethics.
The CFP Professional Education Program uses real-world case scenarios to develop a deep understanding of, and competence in, holistic financial planning, applying key facets of human behaviour and addressing common ethical dilemmas in client situations at all levels of complexity.
The program is an independent learning program delivered in an online format and includes a blend of tutorials, videos and case studies. While the learning modules are not available to be downloaded or printed, students can download and complete the end-of unit assignments.
This a practical program to help students prepare for practice as a financial planner. It is not a preparatory course for the CFP examination. The CFP examination is based on the FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile and requires application of technical knowledge to demonstrate professional competence.
Special thanks to The Decision Lab for their significant contribution to the development of the human behaviour concepts in the CFP Professional Education Program.
$1,500
Scheduled monthly on the first business day of each month. When you register, you will be prompted to select your preferred program start date.
The CFP Professional Education Program is equivalent to a one-semester university course. It is expected that it will take between 110 to 160 hours to complete.
To complete your registration for the CFP Professional Education Program, you must:
at least 10 business days prior to your scheduled start date.
To register for the CFP Professional Education Program, you must first create an account on the FP Canada Portal. Once logged in to the FP Canada Portal, you may register by completing the FP Canada Institute Education Application available on the "My Applications" page.
The CFP Professional Education Program begins on scheduled start dates. When you register, you will be prompted to select your preferred program start date. Please enrol early to reserve a seat in an upcoming session; spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The CFP Professional Education Program includes seven end-of-unit assignments and one final assessment.
The assignments and final assessment are culminating activities based on realistic client scenarios that require students to demonstrate knowledge and skills in financial planning, professional responsibility and human behaviour. Students will be asked to complete specific tasks throughout the financial planning process along with constructed response questions to evaluate their critical thinking, analysis and judgement, in addition to completing a final assessment.
To successfully complete the CFP Professional Education Program, students must achieve a minimum grade of 60%.
12 months from the CFP Professional Education Program start date. Students who do not complete the final assessment by the end of month 12 will receive an “incomplete” (fail grade) for the assessment and the CFP Professional Education Program overall. Exceptions may be granted at the FP Canada Institute’s sole discretion.
Students may progress through the program at their own pace; however, they must complete each assignment and the final assessment by the following required due dates:
| Assignment | Due Date |
| Unit 1 Assignment | End of month 1* |
| Unit 2 Assignment | End of month 2 |
| Unit 3 Assignment | End of month 4 |
| Unit 4 Assignment | End of month 6 |
| Unit 5 Assignment | End of month 8 |
| Unit 6 Assignment | End of month 9 |
| Unit 7 Assignment | End of month 10 |
| Final Assessment | End of month 12 |
* For students starting on November 26, 2019, Unit 1 assignment is due at the end of December 2019.
The final assessment will be marked at specific times throughout the year. Deadlines for each final assessment marking period will be posted on your calendar in the FP Canada Institute Learning Platform.
Students who do not complete an assignment by the required due date will receive an “incomplete” (fail grade) for that assignment.
Students who would like to write the May 2021 CFP exam must submit the CFP Professional Education Program final assessment by March 9, 2021.
Students who would like to write the October 2021 CFP exam must submit the CFP Professional Education Program final assessment by August 3, 2021.
Unit 1 through Unit 7 Assignments: 50%
Final Assessment: 50%
Students will be notified through the FP Canada Institute Learning Platform when their grade for each assignment is available. Written feedback will be provided on assignments where students are not successful, to support their success on future assignments.
Students who do not successfully complete the CFP Professional Education Program and wish to reattempt it must re-enrol at the full program fee, subject to continuing to meet prerequisite education requirements.
Students registered in the CFP Professional Education Program may postpone up to 10 business days prior to the program start date for a fee of $150.
Students who choose to withdraw from the program may be eligible for a refund, depending on when they withdraw, as follows:
| Date of Withdrawal | Refund |
| Up to 2 months prior to program start date | 100% |
| Between 2 months and 10 business days prior to program start date | 75% |
| Between 10 business days prior to and 10 business days after program start date | 50% |
| More than 10 business days after program start date | No Refund |
For more information on the CFP Professional Education Program, refer to the FP Canada Institute Student Handbook.
For assistance with your continuing education registration or for questions about the course, contact our FP Canada Certificant and Student Services at info@fpcanada.ca, 416-593-8587 or 1-800-305-9886. Our office is open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.