How to Become a CFP Professional - Step by Step Guide

Every financial planner knows the CFP is the top designation in the financial advice industry. Actually earning the CFP designation can be a bit confusing though. You need to make sure you check all the boxes along the way during your journey to the CFP letters. But the CFP is a relatively flexible program, so there are many different paths a person could take to earn that prestigious financial planning designation. In this video we are going to cover all the boxes that need to be checked, all the paths an advisor could take to get there, and then at the end we will review the major shortcuts that exist to earning the CFP that I was able to take advantage of, and many other people in the finance industry have taken advantage of as well; stick around because you don’t want to miss those.
The decision to become a CFP could start as early as high school, since the college you attend can make a big difference in the amount of time it will take you to earn the CFP letters. You see the first major step to earning the CFP is the education requirement. There are two parts to this education requirement. Earn a 4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and complete the CFPs board approved coursework. The reason the college you attend can make a big difference here, is because some universities offer finance degrees that the CFP says already count towards the board approved coursework. So rather than getting a 4 year degree from your local university, then being required to spend 1 - 2 more years doing financial planning classes at a CFP approved college, you can knock out both requirements at the same time. Now the college I attended had a highly ranked finance program, but it was not approved by the CFP. So after college, I would have had to take night classes at a college 30 minutes from where I lived for about 3 semesters to even be allowed to sit for the CFP exam. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of that big shortcut that the CFP offers so I didn’t have to do any of this, but we will review those details in a bit. It is important to note that even if your university is NOT approved by the CFP board, you may be eligible to bypass some of the required classes based on the curriculum of the classes you have already taken. This bypassing of some of the requirement can still make a big difference in the amount of time and money you have to spend to become a CFP, so be sure to check if any of your past course work will qualify by submitting your credentials on the CFP website.
Once you have satisfied the education requirement, the next step is to take a capstone course. Let me be clear, this is not the final CFP exam, but rather just another step along the way. This capstone requirement will either be satisfied by the regular capstone course, or the capstone alternative which is what you take if you do what I did and skipped the education requirements via the accelerated path. The capstone requirement can be satisfied via in person or online classes. If you go the route where your college or university was already approved by the CFP board, one of the classes you take will be a capstone course so you don’t really need to worry about it. If you had to take additional classes after graduation to meet the education requirement, you will also need to make sure one of those classes is a capstone course. If you take the accelerated path and skip the education requirements completely, AND have already met the experience requirement (6,000 hours, or 4,000 hours of approved apprenticeship) you can take the capstone alternative course, which is administered online by Kaplan. I went the last route, and just to give you an idea, the capstone alternative took me about 2 weeks. You don’t take an exam at the end, but rather you upload a voice recording of your financial planning recommendations on a case study. You can see why I say there are many different paths to becoming a CFP professional.
AJ
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** The information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional financial advice. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your financial or tax professional**

[@jameswong5535]

I appreciate your realistic point of views, like you intended “Straight talk”, keep up the good work my man, your presentation skill is really well done.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Thanks James I appreciate it!

[@earthlifer]

I liked the straight talk. Makes life really easy. Great stuff. Cheers!

[@LifeWithKarisha]

Awwww she is so adorable!! Good info, thank you.

[@jennijun]

Your joke at the end about your level of superiority w the CFP after your name got my like 👍🏼 and Subscribe. Informative videos but also funny!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Thanks for the sub, Jen!

[@egoisticrayyan433]

Hey AJ, I hope you are doing good Can you make a video briefly comparing CFA, CFP, CAIA, MBA finance, FRM.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Sure, I can work on that in the future.

[@anonymousdevildog1406]

You earned a LIKE and subscribe from me because your a FATHER and put your child first. Ya, the CFP designation is gonna be touch. I'm a licensed MD insurance agent and the NYU / Dalton path is what I'm taking. Hope it pans out. - I'd like to know what kind of value can I add as a licensed CFP to my organization apart of being a licensed agent. I hope to make more money - sure... but I want my company to grow.

[@raulsn5409]

What a wholesome video

[@millionsuponmillions]

Awwwww your baby!!!🥺

[@alfredthepatientxcvi]

Thank you for this helpful video!!!! Greetings from Lebanon!

[@Los408]

Just got my books! I take the test in March

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

BEST OF LUCK STUDYING!!!

[@angellistheshit]

Where did you buy I’m looking to take mine? My employer won’t pay since it’s not required for my role

[@dhelmassociates]

Awe she's too cute. Thanks for the info. Going for my CFP at 46. Yikes 😂

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Better late then never!

[@jameswong5535]

Great vdo AJ, as always, keep up the good content.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Thanks for the support, James!

[@marcosdepaula3593]

your daughter is the cutest, just like mine!! thanks for the info

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Thanks she is getting so big now too!

[@SavannahEtter]

I’m a former music major looking to change my career into finance. I have a bachelor’s degree in music and no work experience in the finance industry. I’ve taken the SIE Exam as a first step towards this career change and I’m looking for jobs, currently. Any advice on how I could proceed? Would internships even look at my resume since I don’t have a relevant degree? Thanks!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes they would! Internships or entry level jobs. Let them know you are serious about getting licensed to be a financial advisor and someone out there will want to hire you.

[@oleksa_niko]

Thank you for the video!

[@jdceja8119]

Five layer burritos for the win!

[@ThiNguyen-161]

Great video. Where did you study CFP?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I used the Kaplan accelerated course.

[@nukious]

Lol, instant sub from me brother. Great work 😂

[@BradDavis-d3l]

If you take the ChFC route, do you need to complete the experience requirement prior to being able to sit for the CFP? Or can you sit for CFP after completing the CfHC coursework alone?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

You can take the CFP exam, but you can't actually earn the certificate until you have the work expierence.

[@Moe7gh]

thank you for all the information such a beautiful baby girl you have,,,, God bless you and your beautiful family❤

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Thank you!!!

[@BravoBline]

Great video. However, I'm a bit confused about how the ChFC coursework is faster than the CFP coursework. The ChFC designation requires more coursework. A CFP is required to take seven courses, while a ChFC must take nine courses. Wouldn't the ChFC take more time? I'm finishing my MBA w/ Finance concentration in 4 months. After I want to start CFP so I want to make sure I understand the ChFC timeline you mentioned.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

The ChFC has more courses but they are very short courses.

[@FF-oe6rl]

Was your MBA good? How much did you oay and what University?

[@TheAblist01]

Thanks for the video. For someone who already has a 4 yr degree, who works as an advisor (holds series 7, 66, life/health, etc...) and has several years of experience, what is the fastest track to obtaining the CFP?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Unless your undergrad college met the education requirements, there is no fast track. You would need to sign up for classes to start completing the education requirement. If you have the CPA, CFA, JD, and some others, then you can use the accelerated path.

[@ashishphansopkar7874]

AJ - does the CFP Board made changes to the curriculum, other than the Procedural Rules, other the years? I have not seen this published on the CFP website. Let me know if I am missing something here,

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

They don't change their curriculum, but tax/estate laws change often so they have to adjust to those rules.

[@RestoreSanityFear]

I think I fall into the last camp. I just want to obtain the CFP as fast as possible; I do not inherently care about the ChFC designation. Is it faster to complete the CFP coursework or to obtain a ChFC and use the Accelerated Path? Thank you

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

The CFP coursework can take months. So honestly it might be quicker to just do the ChFC then accelerated path.

[@randybrickson4290]

AJ, I have a 40-year-old friend who has perhaps $100,000 in retirement savings and has a 20-year working horizon (she works as a nurse or nurse practitioner -- I don't know the difference). She wants to see a financial advisor to make sure "she's on the right track" as she puts it. I told her she should (a) see a CFA and (b) do a one-time flat fee session. It's possible you disagree with one or both of those recommendations. Based on what I described, what would you suggest to her as far as finding a reputable financial advisor? What should she look for?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yea I would disagree with both. Many great advisors are not CFA charterholders. And many don't charge a flat fee. She should look for someone who has fair fees that she can understand, and that she trusts.

[@bensitts9873]

question: are there any night classes that can be taken online to satisfy the education requirements and if so where can I find them?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes! Classes from Kaplan.

[@chiragthakur3533]

Sir, love from india... can u make a video on caia.?

[@Oshiokayamhe]

Is the CFP similar to the LIBF DipFA?

[@Jatra1316]

Anyone from Singapore could be able to share the experience in getting the CFP in Spore? Starting from the very first AFP cert please. Appreciate 😇

[@briandarzev8535]

So to be clear, you do not need a college degree if you get a CFP, Chfc, clu or the others correct?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

You need a college degree to take the CFP, but not the ChFc or Clu

[@FF-oe6rl]

What if you have a college degree but was a university outside of the us?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

@@FF-oe6rl I think that is fine!

[@RestoreSanityFear]

How is the ChFC faster when it includes the same 7 courses as the CFP? Thank you

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Easier exam.

[@jbaru648]

Does this certification require you to have a certain amount of work experience before you can call yourself a cfp

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes. 2 years.

[@D19944]

Thinking of doing it from the UK. What's people's thoughts on this?

[@mickharounian4905]

How do you check if your college is a CFP approved university

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Only on the CFP website. The page about the education requirement.

[@bruce3244]

What is the capstone alternate ?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Its an alternate path they offer to take the CFP exam.

[@hvtarun7030]

hey, sir which is better CFA or CFP??

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

It depends on your career goals! But the CFA is generally considered more difficult and more prestigious.

[@EstherCampbell-p1k]

White Susan Hernandez Kimberly Clark George

[@amrshaker8880]

Big kiss 😍to the cute princess🌹🌹🌹

[@googleemailaccount7746]

Whats the best way to doing this? I haven't gone to College and dont have a Bachelor yet.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Go to a college that has a CFP certified program!

[@googleemailaccount7746]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 any you recommend in California?

[@SavannahEtter]

I’m a former music major looking to change my career into finance. I have a bachelor’s degree in music and no work experience in the finance industry. I’ve taken the SIE Exam as a first step towards this career change and I’m looking for jobs, currently. Any advice on how I could proceed? Would internships even look at my resume since I don’t have a relevant degree? Thanks!

[@JaneSimmons-b9p]

Take the series 63 and series 65. Those don’t need sponsorship. Add your insurance license too and you’ll look better for entry level positions