The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification has been the standard of excellence in financial planning for over 30 years. CFP® professionals must meet education, training, and experience requirements before they can take the exam to become a Certified Financial Planner. Having the CFP® designation shows clients that you have the expertise to help them plan for their future.
Why should you get your CFP®?
According to the CFP Board, 86% of consumers prefer a financial advisor who has passed a certification exam and rigorous program. 90% of consumers see an advisor’s certification as important. The CFP® designation is also valued by financial firms. We often have companies looking for students who are perusing their CFP®as to join their team.
How do I get my CFP®?
Education Requirements: You will need to complete coursework through a CFP Board Registered program as well as complete a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The BBA Finance: Personal Financial Planning Track is a CFP Board registered program. Learn more about the Bauer Personal Financial Planning track here.
Exam: You must pass a 170-question multiple-choice exam that tests your ability to apply the financial planning knowledge learned in the coursework to real-life situations. The exam is offered 3 times per year. Learn more about the exam on the CFP Boards’ website.
Experience Requirements: There are two different ways you can complete the experience requirements. You must complete 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process, or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience. This experience can be completed before or after you take the exam. The CFP Board has a great infographic that explains the experience requirement.
Ethics Requirement: Finally, you will need to sign the Ethics Declaration and pass a background check. You can find more information about the steps to complete the Ethics Requirement on the CFP Board’s website.
