FP Canada’s education requirements are specifically tailored to each certification. Explore the programs below to learn more about your education requirements on the path to QAFP™ certification and CFP® certification.
View a complete list of professional education and course equivalency fees.
Candidates pursuing QAFP certification will be required to complete Core Curriculum education, preparing them to work with clients with typical financial planning needs, whereas candidates pursuing CFP certification will be required to complete both Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum education, preparing them to work with clients who have financial planning needs at all levels of complexity.
FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum education completed prior to December 31, 2019 will satisfy both the new Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum requirements effective January 1, 2020.
Completion of an FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum program is a requirement on the path to QAFP certification and CFP certification. The Core Curriculum aligns to the FP Canada Competency Profile and the knowledge requirements of a QAFP professional detailed in the Financial Planning Body of Knowledge. FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum Programs are offered by several institutions throughout Canada, both in person and online.
Students should confirm with their education provider the full set of courses that satisfy the requirements for Core Curriculum.
View a list of FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum Programs.
Completion of an FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program is a requirement on the path to CFP certification. The Advanced Curriculum aligns to the FP Canada Competency Profile and the knowledge requirements of a CFP professional detailed in the Financial Planning Body of Knowledge. FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Programs are offered by several institutions throughout Canada, both in person and online.
Students should confirm with their education provider the courses offered comprise the Advanced Curriculum program.
View a list of FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Programs.
Certain education providers offer programs comprising courses which satisfy both the requirements for Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum. These FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum Programs are offered by several institutions throughout Canada, both in person and online.
Students should confirm with their education provider the full set of courses that satisfy the requirements for Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum.
View a list of FP Canada-Approved Core and Advanced Curriculum Programs.
Candidates who hold certain designations and licenses in good standing may apply for education exemptions from components of FP Canada’s Core Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum requirements.
In addition to the technical competence that is key to success, financial planners must develop essential professional skills and gain a strong grasp of their ethical obligations.
Through the FP Canada Institute Introduction to Professional Ethics course, students on the path to QAFP™ certification and CFP® certification will develop a deep understanding of their ethical obligations.
Through the FP Canada Institute Professional Education Programs, students will apply their technical knowledge in practice, learn how to communicate important messages effectively and understand the key psychological and behavioural factors that motivate clients.
For more information on the FP Canada Institute courses and programs, refer to the FP Canada Institute Student Handbook
A two-hour long self-study course, Introduction to Professional Ethics (IPE) equips students with the requisite foundational knowledge of the ethical obligations owed by all professionals, and the specific application of these obligations to financial planning practice. IPE teaches students the distinction between integrity-based professional obligations and compliance-based obligations, with emphasis on the financial services landscape. The course introduces the specific professional obligations of QAFP professionals and CFP professionals, why they matter and what they mean in practical terms.
Learn more about the Introduction to Professional Ethics course
The program is an independent learning program delivered in an online format and includes a blend of tutorials, videos and case studies.
While the learning modules are not available to be downloaded
or printed, students can download and complete the end-of unit assignments.
The CFP Professional Education Program teaches students how to apply the technical knowledge from their college, university and other program courses to the practice of financial planning with clients who have situations and/or needs at various levels of complexity. The program introduces models, guidance and techniques for undertaking all phases of the financial planning process as well as key concepts in human behaviour and ethics.
The CFP Professional Education Program uses real-world case scenarios to develop a deep understanding of, and competence in, holistic financial planning, applying key facets of human behaviour and addressing common ethical dilemmas in client situations at all levels of complexity.
The program is an independent learning program delivered in an online format and includes a blend of tutorials, videos and case studies. While the learning modules are not available to be downloaded or printed, students can download and complete the end-of unit assignments.
The CFP Professional Education Program is a practical program to help prepare for practice as a financial planner. It is not a preparatory course for the CFP examination. The CFP examination is based on the FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile and requires application of technical knowledge to demonstrate professional competence.
Special thanks to The Decision Lab for their significant contribution to the development of the human behaviour concepts in the CFP Professional Education Program.
The QAFP Professional Education Program is an online, self-study program. It teaches students how to apply the body of knowledge they have acquired from their FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum Program in an integrated fashion and to the practice of financial planning in less complex client engagements. This program introduces models and techniques for undertaking all phases of the financial planning process in less complex client engagements.
The QAFP Professional Education Program teaches students how to apply their technical knowledge and learn and apply key facets of human behaviour and fundamental professional skills in the areas of communications, critical thinking, managing relationships and ethical obligations and dilemmas in these less complex client engagements.
The QAFP Professional Education Program uses real-world case scenarios for students to develop a deep understanding of, and competence in the integrated, holistic nature of financial planning practice.
Offered by the FP Canada Institute, the QAFP-to-CFP Certification Bridge Program is designed for QAFP professionals who are interested in pursuing CFP certification and have completed the QAFP Professional Education Program. This program focuses on the application of both the Core and Advanced Curriculum and both fundamental and advanced principles of human behaviour in client engagements that are both more and less complex.
The QAFP-to-CFP Certification Bridge Program uses real-world case scenarios for students to develop a deep understanding of, and competence in the integrated, holistic nature of financial planning practice.
| FP Canada Institute™ Education | Eligibility Requirements |
| Introduction to Professional Ethics (IPE) |
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| CFP Professional Education Program |
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| QAFP Professional Education Program |
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| QAFP-to-CFP Certification Bridge Program (Bridge Program) |
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1 FPSC Level 1® certificants, who converted to QAFP certification, must complete IPE prior to enroling in the CFP Professional Education Program.
2 FPSC Level 1 certificant, who converted to QAFP certification, must complete IPE prior to enroling in the QAFP Professional Education Program (completion of IPE and QAFP Professional Education Program is required by July 31, 2021 to maintain QAFP certification).
Candidates pursuing QAFP certification must write the QAFP examination within four years of completing Core Curriculum or IPE, whichever is completed first.
The CFP examination must be completed within four years of completing the CFP Professional Education Program.
Candidates must register for the CFP Professional Education Program within four years of completing Advanced Curriculum or IPE, whichever is completed first. QAFP professionals in good standing are exempt from this four-year time limit.
Effective April 1, 2022, candidates applying for QAFP certification must hold, at minimum, a two-year college diploma and candidates applying for CFP certification must hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. For more information on this requirement visit our Post-Secondary Education Requirements FAQs.
For more information on the education requirements on the path to QAFP certification, refer to the QAFP Certification Policies.
For more information on the education requirements on the path to CFP certification, refer to the CFP Certification Policies.
