The QAFP Bridge Path to CFP Certification provides two options for QAFP professionals who are seeking CFP certification. QAFP professionals who have not completed the QAFP Professional Education Program may follow option 2 and complete the CFP Professional Education Program. QAFP professionals who have completed the QAFP Professional Education Program may follow option 1 and complete the QAFP-to-CFP Certification Bridge Program (available in late 2021). QAFP professionals must complete either the QAFP Professional Education Program or the CFP Professional Education Program within one year of QAFP certification. For more information, please refer to the CFP Certification Policies.
Explore the steps below or click the diagram on the right to learn more about your path to certification.
To begin the QAFP Bridge Path to CFP Certification - Option 2, you must be a current QAFP professional and complete an FP Canada–Approved Advanced Curriculum Program, either as a standalone program or as part of a combined Core Curriculum/Advanced Curriculum Program.
Once you have met these requirements, you may register for the CFP Professional Education Program. Please note, the Introduction to Professional Ethics (IPE) course must be completed prior to starting the CFP Professional Education Program.
Upon successful completion of the CFP Professional Education Program, you will be eligible to write the CFP examination. You may apply for CFP certification once you pass the CFP examination and complete three years of qualifying work experience.
You must hold the QAFP certification, adhere to the FP Canada Standards Council™ Standards of Professional Responsibility and meet FP Canada’s continuing education requirements.
Learn more about continuing education requirements
Helpful Resources
QAFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility
Enrol in an FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program.
Learn more about the Advanced Curriculum Program
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Financial Planning Body of Knowledge
FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile
Find FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program Providers
Enrol in either the CFP Professional Education Program.
If you have not yet completed the QAFP Professional Education Program, you may choose to complete the CFP Professional Education Program within one year of QAFP certification. If you have completed the QAFP Professional Education
Program, you may choose to enrol in the QAFP-to-CFP Certification Bridge Program (available in late 2021) instead.
Learn more about the CFP Professional Education Program
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Write the CFP examination. The first CFP examination based on the new paths to CFP certification (effective as of January 1, 2020) will be held in November 2020. It will follow a similar format to prior CFP examinations.
Learn more about the CFP examination
Helpful Resources
CFP Exam Study Toolkit
FAQ: CFP examination
Once you have completed three years of qualifying work experience, you are ready to apply for CFP certification.
Please note: Effective April 2022, a post-secondary degree will be a requirement for CFP certification.
Learn more about work experience requirements
Learn more about post-secondary education requirements
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility
