What Is The CFP Exam For?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Candidates for CFP® certification must pass the CFP® exam, which

tests your ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations

. This comprehensive exam ensures that you are highly qualified to develop a holistic plan for your clients’ finances.

What’s on the CFP exam?

The topics covered on the CFP

®

exam include

general financial planning principles, investment planning, retirement savings and income planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning.

What does a CFP do for you?

A certified financial planner (CFP) is an individual that has received a formal designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFPs

help individuals in a variety of areas in managing their finances

, such as retirement, investing, education, insurance, and taxes.

What is a CFP and why is it important?

CFP stands for certified financial planner and

designates that someone has passed the CFP exam

, thus meeting the requirements of the CFP board. Most financial professionals are not required to do this, which makes the CFP and its board an important and unique entity in the protection of consumer interests.

What is the pass rate for the CFP exam?

This process is conducted by CFP® professionals and led by testing experts to assure the exam remains current, reliable, valid and legally defensible. In 2019, the

overall pass rate was 62%

, and the pass rate for first-time exam takers was 66%. CFP Board works with volunteer CFP® professionals to develop the exam.

How difficult is CFP exam?

The certified financial planner exam is likely the hardest test you’ll ever take, Dorsainvil says. “

Think of the hardest exam you took in college then times it by 10

.” Preparing to take the CFP exam begins months or even years before you actually sit to take the test.

Is hiring a CFP worth it?


Yes, CFPs are worth the investment

— a fact I can attest to because I use one — but not just any one. If he were to retire, finding a replacement would be hard because, in finances, as well as in life, it’s all about relationships: The right CFP literally has to be the right person.

How many hours study for CFP?

CFP Board recommends you spend

at least 250 hours

studying for the exam. While that sounds overwhelming, the time goes pretty quickly between pre-study, the Candidate Handbook, required education courses, question bank time, review, practice exams, and your own preparations.

What happens if you fail the CFP exam?

If you fail the CFP® exam and elect to retest,

you are required to retake the entire exam and to pay the applicable exam fee for each retake

. … If an individual fails the exam 3 times in a 24-month period, they must sit-out three exam administrations before registering for another attempt.

How much does a CFP make?

Salary Ranges for Certified Financial Planner (CFP)s

The salaries of Certified Financial Planner (CFP)s in the US range from

$39,300 to $187,200

, with a median salary of $124,870 . The middle 50% of Certified Financial Planner (CFP)s makes between $110,336 and $124,580, with the top 83% making $187,200.

How much does a CFP charge per hour?

More experienced advisors may charge higher fees as well. Generally speaking, fee-only financial planners will charge

between $150 to $400 an hour

and between $1,000 to $5,000 annually.

Are CFPs in demand?

During a pandemic,

financial advice is an in-demand service

, and last year, more people wanted to provide it by earning the certified financial planner designation, according to the CFP Board and the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB).

Who should take the CFP?

The two-part education requirement includes both (1) completing coursework on financial planning through a CFP Board Registered Program, and (2) holding a bachelor’s degree or higher (in any discipline) from an

accredited college or university

. You must complete the coursework before you can take the CFP® exam.

Is CFP harder than Series 7?

Is the CFP harder than the Series 7? CFP in general

is a much wider test than the 7

. You encompass a lot more info and a spectrum of topics. So it will take more time.

How many levels are there in CFP?

Section CFA CFP Organizing Body CFA Institute CFP Board Pattern Divided into

3 levels

– level I, level II, and level III Only 1 level
Duration of Course 4 year 3 years Syllabus Financial Principles Financial Analysis & Accounting Portfolio Management Personal Financial Planning

Can you take the CFP exam without experience?


Yes

. Candidates can sit for the CFP® exam before meeting the experience requirement. Candidates have up to five years after successful completion of the exam to complete the Experience requirement.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.