Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to QAFP® 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 QAFP Certification. For more information, please refer to the QAFP 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 QAFP Certification
To begin the Relevant Professional Qualifications Path to QAFP 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 QAFP Certification.
The next step is to register and write the QAFP Exam.
You may apply for QAFP certification when you pass the QAFP exam and complete one year of qualifying work experience.
To be eligible for QAFP certification, applicants must hold a post-secondary diploma, or higher, from an accredited college or university. FP Canada will accept international diplomas and degrees where there is supporting documentation establishing that the international degree is equivalent to a Canadian diploma or degree.
To maintain QAFP certification, you must complete the QAFP Professional Education Program within one year of attaining QAFP certification. You may choose to complete the QAFP Professional Education Program prior to challenging the QAFP exam. Candidates interested in bridging to CFP® certification have the option to complete the CFP Professional Education Program instead of the QAFP Professional Education Program within one year of achieving QAFP certification.
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 QAFP 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.
Write the QAFP Exam
A four-hour, computer-based exam consisting of both stand-alone and case-based multiple-choice questions. The QAFP examination focuses on specific elements of the FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile and integrates
several financial planning areas.
Learn more about the QAFP exam
Apply for QAFP Certification
Once you have completed one year of qualifying work experience, you are ready to apply for QAFP certification.
Note: Applicants for QAFP certification must hold a minimum two-year diploma from an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution, or an international equivalent or have five years of qualifying work
experience.
Learn more about work experience requirements
Learn more about post-secondary education requirements
Helpful Resources
QAFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility
QAFP Professional Education Program
Complete the QAFP Professional Education Program within one year of achieving QAFP certification. This program may also be completed prior to writing the QAFP exam.
Candidates interested in bridging to CFP certification have the option to complete the CFP Professional Education Program instead of the QAFP Professional Education Program within one year of achieving QAFP certification.
Helpful Resources
QAFP Certification Policies