After all the studying and stress, you did it —you passed the CFP® Exam! We hope you got to celebrate, but once the adrenaline and excitement wears off...well, now what?
In this episode of the BIF Bites Podcast, hosts Jerry Mee and Adam Scherer discuss what comes after passing the CFP® Exam. Fresh off the July testing cycle, they talk about how to manage the transition from intense study mode to the next stage of professional growth. Jerry shares how he earned his CFP® marks right before the 2020 shutdown and later pursued the Certified Retirement Consultant (CRC) designation.
Adam explains his path into a master’s program, multiple designations, and becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS. Together they offer practical advice for CFP® professionals on completing board requirements, gaining experience hours, choosing niche specializations, and maintaining momentum without burning out. They also introduce their new partnership with Becker and discuss Becker's new EA Exam Review as well as talking about networking, continuing education, and career development opportunities for the newly certified.
Transcript – Post-CFP® Exam Next Steps
Jerry Mee: Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the BIF Bites Podcast. I’m your host, Jerry Mee, joined as always by Adam Scherer. How’s it going, Adam?
Adam Scherer: Hey Jerry, I’m on my third cup of coffee and still not awake.
Jerry Mee: The tank is empty. We are officially on the other side, our first episode after the July exam cycle.
Adam Scherer: That’s true. How are you feeling?
Jerry Mee: I’m good. Maybe losing my voice a little. Feeling groggy, but that’s just part of recovery.
Adam Scherer: Maybe that’s a good place to start today, because we wanted to talk about what comes next after the CFP® Exam.
Jerry Mee: Exactly. We hear a lot from students who are celebrating their preliminary pass and wondering, “Now what?” Even those who pass sometimes feel lost after the intensity of exam prep.
Jerry Mee: It’s one of the most common questions we get. People joke about not knowing what to do with their free time. Others want recommendations on how to keep learning. And of course, some just say they’re going on vacation for a month.
Adam Scherer: Let’s start with our own experiences. What did you do after passing your CFP exam?
Jerry Mee: Mine was unique. I took my exam in March 2020, and literally the next day, the world shut down for COVID. If I had postponed by one day, I wouldn’t have been able to take it.
Jerry Mee: So I was forced into rest and reflection mode. I took that time to reset, think about my next steps, and handle the remaining tasks with the CFP Board.
Jerry Mee: Even after the test, you still need to submit your colle
Adam Scherer: Good reminder. Go to CFP.net and review the checklist. The dashboard will show what’s left to complete, and it automatically updates as items are verified.
Jerry Mee: Right. You usually have about two weeks before official results are posted, so use that time to wrap everything up.
Adam Scherer: So you were thoughtful about your next steps while the world was shut down. When did you decide to pursue another designation?
Jerry Mee: A couple of years later. My alma mater’s motto was “lifelong learning,” and that really stuck with me. I decided to specialize further, so I earned the CRC (Certified Retirement Consultant).
Adam Scherer: Excellent.
Jerry Mee: It took about a year and a half. The CRC process felt like a smaller version of the CFP, though the education component isn’t required before the test. It’s easier overall but covers similar material.
Jerry Mee: After the CFP, the CRC felt manageable. I even recommend it to students who want a smaller step or extra test-taking practice before tackling the CFP again.
Adam Scherer: That’s great insight. So you used that time for deeper learning and specialization.
Jerry Mee: Yes, and I tell students: choose a designation that fits your interests and your practice. There are many niche options, from divorce planning to retirement or taxes. Follow your curiosity and focus on lifelong improvement.
Jerry Mee: What about you, Adam? What did you do after your exam?
Adam Scherer: After wrapping up with the Board, my wife and I went out for a nice dinner to celebrate—and to cover the dues that come with certification.
Adam Scherer: Then I jumped into a master’s in financial planning program. It took about two years and included investment and retirement designations along the way.
Adam Scherer: The coursework was more applied and case-study based than the CFP. I developed a deeper interest in tax, which was my weakest subject before the exam. Eventually, I decided to pursue the EA (Enrolled Agent) designation with the IRS.
Jerry Mee: So the EA allows you to represent clients before the IRS?
Adam Scherer: Yes. It’s an IRS designation that allows representation and tax preparation work. It goes far deeper into tax law than the CFP.
Adam Scherer: Looking back, I wish I had gone for part one of the EA exam right after the CFP. The overlap is strong and the knowledge is still fresh.
Adam Scherer: But I will say, pacing yourself is important. After several years of back-to-back studying, I burned out and had some health issues. It’s okay to slow down and choose your next step carefully.
Jerry Mee: Right. During the pandemic, I wondered if the world was ending. It’s okay to rest. The CFP can be exhausting, and recovery is part of the process.
Adam Scherer: Good point. And if you are thinking about next steps, Becker has a new EA prep program that BIF alumni can access with a $75 discount.
Jerry Mee: Double-stacked savings. You get the Becker discount and the BIF special. Tax pros love that.
Adam Scherer: Exactly. So whether it’s another designation or applying what you’ve learned in practice, there are many ways to move forward.
Adam Scherer: Some advisors focus on getting into deeper client work instead of pursuing another credential. That’s just as valuable.
Adam Scherer: Many students even revisit their CFP materials later to refresh their knowledge as real-world situations arise.
Jerry Mee: I still get calls from former students who run into client cases that bring them back to topics from the CFP® Exam years later.
Adam Scherer: That’s why it helps to stay engaged—whether through study groups, mastermind circles, or professional networks.
Jerry Mee: Exactly. I still talk to people from my original study group five years later. Keep those relationships going. They’re your professional lifeline.
Adam Scherer: Especially for independent advisors, a peer group is essential. You can share compliance tips, CRM systems, marketing ideas, and client challenges that are not covered in CFP coursework.
Jerry Mee: We should start a BIF designation for “Bootstrapping an RIA.”
Adam Scherer: I’d love that. It would help so many planners launch successfully.
Adam Scherer: Niche planning is another smart next step. Choose who you serve—dentists, firefighters, teachers, or another focused group—and build expertise around their needs.
Adam Scherer: That makes your marketing sharper and your value clearer. You speak directly to their challenges.
Jerry Mee: Military and public service professionals are great examples. They have unique benefits and built-in client bases that reward specialization.
Jerry Mee: Choosing a niche helps you grow faster and stay relevant.
Adam Scherer: And don’t forget about CE—continuing education is mandatory. So even if you take a break from major studying, you’ll still be learning.
Adam Scherer: Once you stack multiple designations, it can feel like alphabet soup, but each one adds value if managed wisely.
Jerry Mee: Exactly. Be selective. Each certification adds ongoing time, cost, and record-keeping requirements.
Jerry Mee: So to close, here’s your post-CFP checklist:
- Celebrate and rest.
- Complete all CFP Board requirements—experience, transcripts, background check.
- Network with peers and mentors.
- Explore next designations or practice focus areas.
- Keep learning through CE and community.
Jerry Mee: Programs like the FPA Externship or Cody Garrett’s Measure Twice Planner program can help you earn experience hours faster.
Adam Scherer: And if you can work under a CFP professional, your required experience drops from three years to two.
Adam Scherer: Even early jobs can build long-term connections and insight. Some of my earliest coworkers are still part of my professional network decades later.
Jerry Mee: Same here. My first Fidelity colleagues—some of them are now BIF students. It’s amazing how paths cross again.
Jerry Mee: So once your CFP status is finalized, start thinking about your niche, your next certification, and the type of clients you want to serve.
Jerry Mee: As for us, we’re wrapping up surveys and updating curriculum while preparing for the next exam cycle.
Adam Scherer: And for everyone wondering about the new legislation, don’t stress. The Big Beautiful Bill won’t appear on the CFP® Exam until at least mid-2026.
Adam Scherer: CFP Board will release official guidance well in advance. No need to panic.
Jerry Mee: That does it for this week’s episode.
Jerry Mee: We’ll see you next time on BIF Bites.
.jpg?width=304&height=204&name=pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5439137%20(1).jpg)