What Is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®?
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® is a financial professional recognized by CFP Board for expertise in financial planning after meeting their strict requirements in education and experience and passing their comprehensive exam. Earning this certification isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s about helping individuals and businesses create strategies for investments, taxes, retirement, insurance, and even estate management.
Think of a CFP® professional as a trusted guide for financial decisions—someone who makes sure their clients’ money is working as hard as they are. When you earn this certification, it sends a signal to clients (and employers) that you’re qualified, ethical, and committed to their financial future.
The Path to CFP® Certification
Earning the CFP® designation involves checking off four major milestones—commonly known as the "4 E's."
- Education: Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete a CFP Board-registered education program. These programs include core coursework and a final capstone project.
- Exam: Pass the CFP® Exam to prove you know your stuff.
- Experience: Gain 6,000 hours of relevant professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience.
- Ethics: Comply with the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct because integrity matters in financial planning.
Fast Track Your CFP® Certification
CFP Board does offer an Accelerated Path which allows you to skip much of the education coursework requirement, except the capstone course. You can take the Accelerated Path to CFP® certification if you have one of the following eligible designations, degrees, or credentials:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Ph.D. in Financial Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or Economics
- Licensed Attorney
- International CFP® Certification
Learn more: Meet the CFP® Certification Requirements
The CFP® Certification Exam
After you meet the CFP® Education coursework requirement, you have to show you not only remember it, but you can also apply.
This is where the 170-question, six-hour CFP® Exam enters the chat, testing your knowledge in the following topics:
- Professional Conduct and Regulation
- General Principles of Financial Planning
- Risk Management and Insurance Planning
- Investment Planning
- Tax Planning
- Retirement Savings and Income Planning
- Estate Planning
- Psychology of Financial Planning
It's not easy, but hey, nothing worthwhile is. But don’t panic—we’ve got your back. Prep courses like the BIF Review (starting at just $995) will make sure you know exactly what you need to help you pass on the first try.
Learn more: Everything you need to know about the CFP® Exam
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Timeline
How long does it take to become a CFP® professional? It's typically not a fast process —the average timeline ranges from 18 to 24 months, depending on factors like your starting experience and how long it takes you to complete the education coursework requirements.
We know you want to earn your CFP® certification as soon as possible. And we know most students need accountability and structure to stick with it. At Boston Institute of Finance, our streamlined, instructor-led program brings the best of both worlds – streamlined content with accountability and structure so you can move through the coursework requirement and pass the exam in less than a year!
Maintaining Your CFP® Certification
Becoming a CFP® professional isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of deal. You'll need to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, including two hours of ethics education. Think of it as a way to keep your skills sharp and stay on top of industry trends.
Learn more: Meeting your CFP® CE Requirements
How Much Does It Cost to Earn Your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
There’s no sugarcoating it—becoming a CFP® professional requires an investment. Here’s the breakdown of typical costs:
- CFP® Education: $4,500–$6,000 on average (Spoiler: BIF starts at under $3k)
- $825 when registering six or more weeks before the deadline
- $925 standard registration
- $1,025 when registering during the final week of registration
- CFP® certification application fee: $200 (This is after you complete the 4 E’s and gets you bona fide)
- Annual certification fee: $455
An exam prep course isn't a CFP Board requirement (but it is highly recommended). And, the BIF Review can help you get ready to pass the first time (saving money on exam retest fees) and pass faster (and we all know time is money).
At the Boston Institute of Finance, we believe cost shouldn’t stand in the way of achieving your career goals. That’s why we offer premium CFP® Education starting at $2,995 and BIF Review starting at $995.
Is CFP® Certification Worth It?
Now that you've seen the journey to earning your CFP® certification, you're probably wondering if it's worth all the hard work and the financial investment.
The short answer? Absolutely.
Salary
Earning potential skyrockets once you have your CFP® credential. According to CFP Board data1, median earnings for CFP® professionals are $192,000 annually. Even professionals with minimal financial planning experience can see the financial benefits of certification. The same study showed that CFP® professionals with less than five years of financial planning experience earned a median of $103,000 in total compensation.
Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, this credential can give your paycheck a serious boost.
Learn more: Gain CFP® Salary Insights
Career Growth
Employers in financial services often look for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals—some even require it, especially for senior roles. Earning your CFP® certification can give you the edge for promotions, partnerships, and landing your next big opportunity.
Credibility and Trust
The CFP® certification is widely known and respected as the gold standard for financial planners. It shows prospective clients and employers that you have comprehensive knowledge, met rigorous standards, and are committed to acting ethically and in your clients’ best interests.
Basically, having those three letters after your name does some serious heavy lifting for your reputation.
Improved performance and outcomes
Okay, the “more money, better reputation, bigger career” benefits are all great. But even more awesome, becoming a CFP® professional makes you a better financial planner. You’re not just learning about tax, insurance, and estate planning—you’re learning how to put the pieces of all these things together to create more holistic financial plans for your clients that lead to better outcomes.
And having happy clients who are meeting their financial goals—that feels pretty good.
Networking Opportunities
The CFP Board is your go-to for building connections and finding your career path. From networking events and town halls to career fairs, they make it easier to connect with mentors, collaborate with peers, and grow professionally.
(Think “How to make friends and influence people” as a CFP® professional)
Learn more: 6 Benefits of a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Certification
Careers after CFP® Certification
Holding a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification provides opportunities to a wide variety of careers in the financial services industry, including:
- Financial advisor
- Financial planner
- Wealth manager
- Investment consultant
- Estate planner
- Retirement specialist
These roles are not only satisfying but also in high demand as more clients seek personalized, professional financial advice.
And it’s nice to feel needed, isn’t it?
Learn more: Career Paths for CFP® Professionals
Take the First Step Toward CFP® Certification Today
Feeling inspired? You’ve got what it takes to earn your CFP® certification and unlock the future you’ve been dreaming about. At Boston Institute of Finance, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from education to exam prep, so you can achieve your goals in less than one year.
Connect with a Student Advisor today!
References:
- Salary & Stats | CFP Board
