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CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

The standard of excellence

Most people think all financial planners are “certified”, but this isn’t true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner” , however, only those who have fulfilled CFP® Board's rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional. Partnering with an experienced, knowledgeable CFP® professional gives you a financial planning partner committed to working in your best interest and the confidence that comes with building a comprehensive plan.

For more than 30 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first. That's why partnering with a CFP® professional gives consumers confidence today and a more secure tomorrow.

ETHICS

When it comes to financial planning, CFP® professionals are held to the highest of standards. As part of their certification, CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which means they commit to work in their clients' best interests at all times when providing financial advice. Not all financial planners make that commitment to their profession. CFP Board's Code of Ethics outlines CFP® professionals’ obligations to uphold principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence. The Rules of Conduct require CFP® professionals to put clients’ interests above their own, and to provide their financial planning services as a "fiduciary" — acting in the best interest of their financial planning clients. CFP® professionals are subject to sanctions if they violate these standards.

CFP® certification also demonstrates that CFP® professionals have a strong commitment to personal financial planning and that they are an expert in their field. Because CFP® professionals invest in education, rigorous testing and real-world experience while earning a CFP® certification, they have the confidence and the skills to give you the financial advice you need.

EXAMINATION

CFP® professionals must pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam, which tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations.

The exam covers:

  • Wealth Management process

  • Investment Management

  • Estate Planning

  • Income Tax Planning

  • Employee benefits

  • Retirement Planning

  • Insurance

The average pass rate for this difficult exam is only 55 percent to 60 percent. This comprehensive exam ensures that CFP® professionals are highly qualified to develop a plan for your finances.

EXPERIENCE

CFP® professionals must have a minimum of three years of full-time financial planning-related experience prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. This hands-on experience guarantees that CFP® professionals have practical financial planning knowledge, so you can count on them to help you create a realistic financial plan that fits your individual needs.

 
 
 
 
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CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™(CEP®)

 

This designation is obtained through the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners. CEP® professionals include financial advisors, attorneys, CPAs and other related professionals. In order to attain the CEP® designation, candidates are required to complete a rigorous eight-module course of instruction in the field of estate planning, successfully pass a comprehensive proctored examination, and complete 8 hours of continuing education every two years in the area of estate planning.

ETHICS

The NICEP performs an annual ethics/compliance check with all CEP® professionals as part of the certification renewal process. Further, the NICEP reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke the use of its trademarked certifications for any reason at any time. Certificants not in good standing with the NICEP may not display or otherwise use in any way the CEP® (CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™).

CEP® Professional Code Of Ethics:

  • properly represent themselves with utmost integrity, making every effort to set the highest level of service and competence in the estate planning profession.

  • provide quality of service that is beneficial to, and in the best interest of, their clients.

  • participate in ongoing continuing education programs which shall serve to promote their individual proficiency and their credentials.

  • maintain proper compliance with any State or Federal authorities and regulations as well as the professional companies and organizations that they represent, and shall notify the NICEP, in writing, regarding any regulatory non compliance findings by these entities in a timely manner.

  • submit to the findings and rulings of the NICEP with regard to the continued use of its trademarked professional certification marks.

  • conduct their business in a trustworthy and honest manner that shall enhance the reputation of the NICEP, its certifications, and associates.