The CFP program provides a broad overview of all technical aspects of financial planning, beginning with a professionalism and ethics course, covering advice strategies, and finishing with investment management. Detailed information about course topics and what is covered in the CFP can be found in the CFP handbook on the Forms and Resources page.
Program Structure
The CFP Program has four units plus a final capstone certification unit.
- CFP 1 – FPA Professionalism
- CFP 2 – Applied Strategies 1
- CFP 3 – Applied Strategies 2
- CFP 4 – Investment Strategies
- CFP Certification Unit (capstone)
CFP 1 – CFP 4 units are offered as self paced online on-demand subjects meaning, you can enrol at any time (and in any order) and complete in your own time. Subjects are assessed via multiple choice mini-exams at the end of each topic, and students must achieve an 80% pass rate or better to proceed to the next unit. Students given a maximum of 12 Months to complete each unit from date of enrolment, but may apply for special consideration if personal circumstances make this deadline challenging to meet.
The final CFP capstone or certification unit is offered in traditional semester format with three intake dates each year.
To gain a pass in our Certification unit students must complete the following.
- Demonstrate you meet the experience requirements through an observation of a client interaction and mapping of your work experience.
- Complete a written assignment – currently a Statement of Advice in response to a provided case study
- Sit and pass the Certification exam. This is a seventy question multiple choice exam that covers the entire Financial Planning Body of Knowledge, and will be the most challenging exam you ever sit.
You can opt to complete the certification unit in a single semester or you can choose to spread the assessments out over a calendar year from the semester you enrol in the program.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The FAAA offers Recognition of Prior Learning for CFP 2-4. CFP 1 will be granted advanced standing if completed a FASEA approved ethics bridging unit.
You can find out if your degree / designation qualifies for RPL by reading our list of approved courses.
If you have any questions about what RPL specifically applies to you please contact the Education team with a detailed list of your qualifications.
Experience Designation Requirements
When completing the CFP program you are able to fall into two pathways that comply with the experience requirement of the designation.
- Pathway 1 will grant you a Practicing Designation and it requires:
- Two years or full time (or part time) equivalent client facing experience.
- Your experience must address all the six primary elements of the personal financial planning process.
- Pathway 2 will grant you a Non-Practicing Designation and it requires:
- Four years of full time (or part time equivalent), relevant experience that demonstrate financial planning knowledge and competencies, and directly or indirectly support the financial planning process.
- Your experience must fall within one or more of the six primary elements of the personal financial planning process.
Program Fees
View the CFP® Certification Program fees
Are you currently employed or licensed by an FAAA Professional Practice? If, so you qualify for a 10% saving on new enrolment into any unit of the program. Contact the Member Services team for your enrolment discount code.
Scenarios that best describe you
Option 1: You're new to the CFP Program and a current FAAA/previous FPA member
If this is your first time studying the CFP Certification Program, you will have to demonstrate your eligibility. You’ll need to provide us with evidence of your official qualification and work experience. Have this ready before you begin your application for entry into the CFP Certification Program.
Login to the member portal and click My Applications > CFP Certification Program and follow the prompts.
We will review your application and then a member of our Education team will reach out to confirm your entry to the program or request additional documentation. Please note that the review process can take 2-5 business days from date of application.
Once your application has been approved, head to the member portal and click My Applications > CFP Certification Program. When you click this, you will see which CFP Certification units are available for you to enrol this semester. Follow the prompts and pay when ready. You can download a copy of your tax invoice in the Member Portal.
Closer to the start of the semester, you will receive an email from the Education Team about the upcoming semester and other important information.
Option 2: You’re new to the CFP Certification Program and a current FPA/previous AFA member
If this is your first time studying the CFP Certification Program, you will have to demonstrate your eligibility. You’ll need to provide us with evidence of your official qualification and work experience. Have this ready before you begin your application for entry into the CFP Certification Program.
If you hold the FChFP designation from the AFA then this offers specific RPL into the program, and guarantees you entry. Please provide this information as part of your application.
Login to the member portal and click My Applications > CFP Certification Program and follow the prompts.
We will review your application and then a member of our Education team will reach out to confirm your entry to the program or request additional documentation. Please note that the review process can take 2-5 business days from date of application.
Once your application has been approved, go to the member portal and click My Applications > CFP Certification Program. When you click this, you will see which CFP Certification units are available for you to enrol this semester. Follow the prompts and pay when ready. You can download a copy of your tax invoice in the Member Portal.
Closer to the start of the semester, you will receive an email from the Education Team about the upcoming semester and other important information.
Option 3: You're new to the CFP Program and not an FAAA member
Before applying for entry into the CFP Certification Program, you need to become an FAAA Member.
Should you have any issues setting your membership, please call 1300 337 301 or email [email protected].
Once you have completed your membership, you are now able to apply for entry to the CFP Certification Program. You will be asked to provide us with evidence of your official qualification and work experience. If you were a previous AFA member who holds the FChFP designation then you are entitled to specific RPL and guaranteed entry to the program, so please provide evidence of this during your application.
Have this ready before you begin your application for entry into the CFP Certification Program.
When ready, log in to the member portal and ‘click’ My Applications > CFP Certification Program and follow the prompts.
We will review your application and then a member of our Education team will reach out to confirm your entry to the program or request additional documentation. Please note that the review process can take 2-5 business days from date of application.
Once your application has been approved, head to the Member Portal and ‘click’ My Applications > CFP Certification Program. When you click this, you will see which CFP Certification units are available for you to enrol this semester. Follow the prompts and pay when ready. You can download a copy of your tax invoice in your Member Portal.
Closer to the start of semester, you will receive an email from the Education Team about the upcoming semester and other important information.
Option 4: You're an existing CFP student enrolling in your next unit
If you need to register for CFP units 1 to 4 you can do so at any time and complete these at your own pace – you can register here. Once registration is confirmed these courses will be available to you under My Learning in FAAA Learn.
If you need to register for the CFP Certification unit (CFP C) then you will need to confirm that enrolments are open. You can log in to the Member Portal and click Applications > CFP Certification Program. Follow the prompts and pay when ready.
Please note: Receipts are no longer emailed to you. You can download a copy of your tax invoice in the Member Portal.
Closer to the start of the semester, you will receive an email from the Education Team about the upcoming semester and other important information