Become a CFP® Professional

The CFP® Certification Examination registration must be accompanied with documentation verifying your qualification (see below for acceptable documentation for each qualification type) and, if applicable, documentation of your completion of a financial planning capstone course registered with CFP Board (transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course). Documentation must be received at CFP Board no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Education Verification Deadline.

Please submit the information via fax to 202-379-2299 or by scanning and emailing it to education@cfpboard.org. Please be sure to include your CFP Board ID number and proof of the completion of your Capstone Course. Late registration will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Acceptable documentation for each qualification type:

• CFP Board-Registered Program

  Your CFP Board-Registered Program will provide CFP Board with documentation verifying your completion of the education program, and you will receive email confirmation when CFP Board receives that documentation. If you have questions about the status of your education documentation, please contact your Registered Program.

• Coursework from Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs

  If you completed individual courses at two or more CFP Board-Registered Programs but have not completed, or had credits transferred to, any one entire program, you must provide photocopies of transcripts from each CFP Board-Registered Program you attended.

• CEBS
  Required:

  • A photocopy of your CEBS designation plus a transcript or score report showing completion of the Personal Financial Planning I and II courses
  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board
• CFA®
  Required:

  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board. 

  As well as one of the following documents:

  • A copy of the certificate
  • A copy of the congratulatory letter from CFA Institute
  • A copy of a verification letter from CFA Institute or a printout of charter holder directory from CFA Institute’s website, www.CFAinstitute.org
• CLU and ChFC
  Required:

  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board. 

  As well as one of the following documents:

  • A copy of the certificate
  • A copy of the congratulatory letter from The American College
  • A transcript
  • A score report (only the last score report is necessary as it lists all previous credits/courses)
  • Sylvan test site score report printouts or a printout from the student access center of The American College’s website www.TheAmericanCollege.edu
• CPA
  Required:

  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board. 

  As well as one of the following documents:

  • A copy of your CPA license (must not be expired)
  • A recent printout (not more than 90 days old) from a state board of accountancy website noting your current CPA license status (active) with unexpired expiration date
  • A copy of your inactive CPA license showing unexpired expiration date and a letter of good standing from state board of accountancy noting status (inactive), unexpired expiration date and statement of good standing
  • A recent printout (not more than 90 days old) from a state board of accountancy website noting your current status (inactive) with unexpired expiration date and statement noting status is in good standing (not available from all websites)

  
  Important Note: CFP Board will NOT accept CPA certificates, AICPA membership cards and expired, exempt or revoked licenses. State board of accountancy websites may be located through the AICPA website at www.aicpa.org/yellow/ypsboa.htm.
• Licensed Attorney
  Required:

  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board. 

  As well as one of the following documents:

  • A copy of your license (must not be expired)
  • A recent (not more than 90 days old) letter of verification from appropriate licensing body noting you are admitted to practice
  • A recent printout (not more than 90 days old) from an appropriate licensing body’s website showing active status and unexpired expiration date
  • Or a letter from an appropriate licensing body noting your license is inactive but in good standing
• Ph.D. in business, economics or business administration (DBA)
  Required:

  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board. 

  As well as one of the following documents:

  • A copy of transcripts (unofficial or student issued are OK)
  • A letter from registrar’s office noting conferment of degree and major.

  Important Note: CFP Board does NOT accept copies of diplomas unless the major of economics, business or business administration is noted on the diploma.

• International CFP Certification
  Required:

  • Written documentation verifying that you hold a current CFP certification issued by one of the affiliate organizations of Financial Planning Standards Board, Ltd..
  • A transcript, score report or letter of completion from the CFP Board-Registered Program where you completed the capstone course registered with CFP Board