Need Help Understanding the CFP^® Certification Experience Requirement?

If you’re unsure about whether your experience qualifies for CFP^® certification, you can start by entering your experience in your CFP Board account now! You can see what experience will qualify for the certification requirement and get a better understanding of how many hours you still need.

You can also connect directly with CFP Board staff to get answers about your specific situation during the Experience Office Hours on November 16, starting at 3 p.m. ET. Register today to put this free opportunity on your calendar.

Plus, you can watch CFP Board’s webinar on frequently asked questions about the experience requirement to learn more about what qualifies and how you can enter your hours. Watch the webinar now!

CFP^® certification requires you to have 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the financial planning process, or 4,000 hours of Apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements.

Qualifying experience includes activities involving the delivery of financial planning services to individual clients, rather than to businesses or corporate finance. Whether you engage with clients directly, supervise or support the financial planning process, teach financial planning-related courses, or participate in internships or the FPA Residency Program or FPA Virtual Externship, there are many paths to completing the experience requirement.

If you need any help entering your experience or have any other experience questions, please email experience@cfpboard.org.