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Who are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals

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Working with a CFP® professional is an important first step toward reaching your financial goals. As part of the
certification, these advisors meet rigorous education and experience requirements, and they commit to high
ethical and professional standards.

EDUCATION
The educational curriculum includes 72 Principal Knowledge Topics under the categories below, as well as a comprehensive financial planning capstone course:
• Investment planning
• Tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• Insurance planning
• Financial management
• Education planning.
In addition to completing the curriculum approved by CFP Board and passing a comprehensive 6-hour CFP® Certification Examination, those seeking CFP® certification must have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in any discipline to become certified. Once certified, CFP® professionals are required to complete continuing education coursework, including a CFP Board approved ethics course, to further their competence in financial planning.

EXPERIENCE
CFP® professionals must complete thousands of hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® practitioners possess practical experience, in addition to financial planning knowledge.
ETHICS
As a final step to certification, candidates must satisfy CFP Board’s Fitness Standards and commit to CFP Board to abide by professional standards, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, that sets forth their duties to the public, clients, and employers. CFP Board routinely performs background checks of candidates for CFP® certification and CFP® professionals, and requires candidates and professionals to disclose various 
matters, including, among other things, criminal history, bankruptcies and liens, and regulatory or civil proceedings.
FIDUCIARY DUTY

Fiduciary duty means a financial advisor acts in the best interests of the client at all times when providing financial advice and financial planning. CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to act as fiduciary. Common fiduciary duties include the duty of loyalty, duty of care, and duty to disclose. A breach of fiduciary duty can cause a CFP® professional to have their license or designation suspended or revoked.