Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to CFP® Certification
Individuals who hold one of the following qualifications in good standing; CPA, CFA, FCIA, or LL.B./J.D., may pursue the Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to CFP Certification. For more information, please refer to the CFP Certification Policies.
Candidates with other designations or licenses may qualify for education exemptions from components of FP Canada™'s Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum requirements.
Learn more about Education Exemptions
Explore the steps below or click the diagram on the right to learn more about your path to certification.
4 Steps to CFP Certification
To begin the Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to CFP Certification, you must hold one of the following qualifications in good standing; CPA, CFA, FCIA, or LL.B./J.D., and apply for an Alternate Path to CFP Certification.
The next step is to complete the CFP Professional Education Program.
Upon completion, 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.
To be eligible for CFP certification, applicants
must hold a post-secondary degree from an accredited college or university. FP Canada will accept international degrees where there is supporting documentation establishing that the international degree is equivalent to a Canadian
degree.
Candidates will be exempt from post-secondary education requirements if they passed the CFP examination prior to March 31, 2022, have more than 10 years of relevant work experience or have held QAFP certification for a minimum of five years and are a QAFP professional in good standing. For more information and additional transition provisions, please visit our post-secondary education requirements FAQ page.
Apply for an Alternate Path to Certification as a Holder of a Relevant Professional Qualification (CPA, CFA, FCIA, or LL.B./J.D.)
You must hold one of the following relevant professional qualifications, in good standing with your professional body; CPA, CFA, FCIA, or LL.B./J.D., and submit an application for an Alternate Path to CFP Certification. A $275 non-refundable fee will apply to review the application and verify your eligibility. To view a complete list of FP Canada fees, refer to the FP Canada Fee Schedule.
CFP Professional Education Program
Enrol in the CFP Professional Education Program.
Learn more about the CFP Professional Education Program
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
CFP Examination
Write the CFP examination. The CFP examination is a six-hour, computer-based exam consisting of a combination of stand-alone, multiple-choice (20%-30%), and case-based constructed-response (70%-80%) questions. The test specifications are published in the FP Canada Blueprint: CFP Examination. Each question on the exam focuses on specific elements of the FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile and integrates several financial planning areas. The CFP exam is administered three times a year and is available in English and French (on request). Learn more about the CFP examination
Helpful Resources
CFP Exam Study Toolkit
FAQ: CFP Examination
Apply for CFP Certification
Once you have completed three years of qualifying work experience, you are ready to apply for CFP certification.
Note: A post-secondary degree is a requirement for CFP certification. For more information on exceptions and additional transition provisions, please visit our post-secondary education requirements FAQ page.
Learn more about work experience requirements
Learn more about post-secondary education requirements
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility