Navigating the 2026 CFP® Exam Changes

Changes always accompany a new year, and yes, this includes the 2026 CFP^® Exam. While you won't see a complete overhaul of the exam, there are some pretty significant updates since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law. If you’re planning to sit for the CFP^® Exam in 2026 or beyond, these you'll need to know more about them. 

But don't panic! We're breaking down everything you need to know about 2026 CFP^® Exam changes, including what’s new, what’s different, and

Changes always accompany a new year, and yes, this includes the 2026 CFP® Exam. While you won't see a complete overhaul of the exam, there are some pretty significant updates since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law. If you’re planning to sit for the CFP® Exam in 2026 or beyond, these you'll need to know more about them.

But don't panic! We're breaking down everything you need to know about 2026 CFP® Exam changes, including what’s new, what’s different, and how you can conquer these changes to earn those coveted letters after your name.

2026 CFP® Exam Changes: OBBBA

The OBBBA is a massive piece of legislation that overhauls key areas of federal tax policy, which will impact retirement planning, healthcare, and education funding. It’s the kind of bill that has financial planners everywhere highlighting, tabbing, and re-reading paragraphs because these changes affect the advice you’ll give future clients. So, CFP Board has incorporated its provisions into the exam.

Many of the changes don't take effect until the July 2026 CFP Exam, but some do go into effect in March, so you'll need to be fluent in these new rules. To help you out, CFP Board released The Key Elements: “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which maps these legislative updates directly to the Principal Knowledge Topics you’ll be tested on.

Let’s unpack the most significant CFP® Exam changes stemming from this act divided into what you'll need to know if you're testing in March, and what you need to know if you're testing in July.

Major March 2026 CFP^® Exam Updates

Here’s a rundown of the key areas affected by OBBBA that will be featured in the upcoming CFP^® Exam changes.

• Expanded SALT Deduction: The State and Local Taxes (SALT) itemized deduction cap has raised from $10,000 to $40,000, though there's now a phaseout for taxpayers whose adjusted gross incomes (AGI) fall between $500,000 and $600,000. The phaseout gradually reduces how much taxpayers can deduct, down to a minimum of $10,000. 
• Enhanced Child Tax Credit: The child tax credit increases from $2,000 to $2,200 and will be increased annually with inflation. The refundable portion increases from $1,400 to $1,700 and will also be increased with inflation. 
• Enhanced Adoption Tax Credit: The Adoption Tax Credit is now partially refundable up to $5,000. 
• Section 179 Expense Limit Increase: The limit has been increased to $2,500,000 for tax year 2025. The phaseout threshold has also been increased from $3,130,000 to $4,00,000.
• Restoration of the 100% Bonus Depreciation: The provision retroactively restores the 100% bonus depreciation expensing option for qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025. 
• Expanded HSA Eligibility for Telehealth Coverage: The safe harbor for HDHPs to cover telehealth services pre-deductible is now permanent. This is great news for accessibility but adds a layer to your understanding of what constitutes a qualifying HDHP.
• Expanded 529 Qualified Expenses: Starting in 2025, "qualified higher education expenses" get a digital-age upgrade. You can now use 529 funds for computers, internet access, and required software, even if the school doesn't explicitly mandate them.
• Postsecondary Credentials: 529 plans aren't just for college anymore. Funds can be used tax-free for digital learning materials (computers, internet access, etc), expenses related to professional certifications, licenses, and credentialing programs.
• New SSN Requirement for Tax Credits: After December 31, 2025, both the student and the person claiming an education credit (like the AOTC or LLC) must have a Social Security Number.

• Below-the-line Deduction for Seniors: This provision establishes a $6,000 deduction for each taxpayer age 65 or older (12,000 for married couples filing jointly if both spouses are 65 or older). There is a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) phaseout beginning at $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. 
• Expanded Exclusion of Qualified Small Business Stock Gain: A new tiered exclusion applies to qualified stock acquired after July 4, 2025: 
  
  • 5 years or more: 100%
  • 4 years: 75%
  • 3 years: 50%

July 2026 CFP^® Exam Updates

Many other provisions in the OBBBA will be testable on the July 2026 CFP^® Exam, including: 

• FAFSA Asset Exclusions: For the 2026-2027 award year, the FAFSA will exclude the value of certain family-owned assets, including the primary family farm, small businesses (with 100 or fewer employees), and commercial fishing businesses. This will significantly alter aid eligibility for many families.
• Enhanced Dependent Care FSA: Starting in 2026, the contribution limit for Dependent Care FSAs increases from $5,000 to $7,500 for most filers. This provides more tax-advantaged savings for families with care expenses.
• SNAP Benefit Changes: The way SNAP benefits are calculated is changing, and work requirements for able-bodied adults are becoming stricter. While this may not seem like a core financial planning topic, it falls under the umbrella of understanding a client's complete financial picture.
• Expanded Plan Eligibility for HSAs: Previously, only certain high-deductible plans could be paired with an HSA. Now, Bronze and Catastrophic plans from the ACA marketplace are also eligible, broadening access to these powerful savings vehicles.  
• Direct Primary Care (DPC) Arrangements: Clients can now use HSA funds to pay for DPC monthly fees (up to $150 for an individual, $300 for a family). This is a game-changer for how clients can manage primary care costs outside of traditional insurance.

These CFP^® Exam changes are significant, but they all tie back to the core domains of financial planning. The key is to understand not just the rule itself, but its practical application in a client scenario.

A Refresher: The CFP Exam Format and Content

While the content is evolving, the structure of the exam remains the same. Knowing the format of the exam and what to expect is just as important as what's on it, so let's take a closer look. The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions administered over two 3-hour sessions, with a 40-minute break in between.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Total Time: 6 hours of testing time.
• Total Questions: 170 questions.
• Structure: Two sessions, 85 questions each. Each session is further divided into two subsections.

You’ll encounter three types of questions:

• Stand-Alone Questions: These are your classic, straightforward multiple-choice questions. They are typically short, about 2-3 sentences, presenting a direct problem for you to solve.
• Short Scenario Questions: These questions present a brief scenario (a few paragraphs) and are followed by a series of related questions (usually 3 per scenario). You’ll need to understand the client situation to answer correctly.
• Case Study Questions: These are long, multi-page scenarios that paint a detailed picture of a client’s financial life. You’ll be given financial statements, goals, and personal details, and you’ll have to answer a larger set of questions based on the information provided. This is where your ability to integrate all the knowledge domains is truly tested.

Listen up: We're taking a deep dive into CFP® Exam case studies on this episode of The BIF Bites podcast!

The Principal Knowledge Domains

The CFP^® Exam is built around eight Principal Knowledge Domains. The percentages indicate the approximate weight of each domain on the exam.

• Professional Conduct and Regulation (8%)
• General Principles of Financial Planning (15%)
• Risk Management and Insurance Planning (11%)
• Investment Planning (17%)
• Tax Planning (14%)
• Retirement Savings and Income Planning (18%)
• Estate Planning (10%)
• Psychology of Financial Planning (7%)

The 2026 CFP^® Exam changes primarily impact the Tax Planning, General Principles, and Insurance domains. However, because the exam tests your ability to integrate topics, you can expect to see these new rules woven into case studies that touch every single domain.

How to Prepare for the 2026 CFP^® Exam Changes

Feeling a little overwhelmed? That’s completely normal. The key is to adapt your study strategy.

Focus on Application, Not Memorization

Don’t just memorize the new contribution limit for a Dependent Care FSA. Understand why a client would use it and how it fits into their overall tax strategy. The exam will test your ability to apply these new rules in a real-world context.

Use the CFP Board’s OBBBA Guide

This PDF can supplement your studying and help you gain clarity. Read it, understand it, and use it to connect the new laws to the Principal Knowledge Topics. Pay close attention to the suggested learning objectives.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice with questions that reflect the new content, the more comfortable you’ll be on exam day. Use practice exams to simulate the full experience, including the timing and question formats.

Learn the 2026 CFP^® Exam Changes with BIF

The path to becoming a CFP^® professional has some new twists and turns, but the destination is still the same. These 2026 CFP^® Exam changes might seem daunting, but they are manageable with the right approach and the right partner. With The BIF Review, you'll learn exactly what you need to know for the exam in a concise, streamlined format with the resources and materials to ensure you're fully ready to pass. Try it for yourself and start your free 30-day trial of The BIF Review today!