QAFP™ Professional Education Program
The QAFP Professional Education Program teaches students how to apply learning achieved through their Core Curriculum program to the practice of financial planning.
While the technical content learned in Core Curriculum courses is essential as a basis for providing financial planning advice to clients, it is critical for financial planners to focus on the holistic nature of people’s lives, develop behavioural and relationship skills to effectively connect with clients, and above all, to always act in the client’s best interest maintaining the highest standards of professional responsibility.
The QAFP Professional Education Program uses real-world case scenarios to develop an understanding of, and competence in, Holistic Financial Planning, Human Behaviour, and Honesty and Ethics (3H) to help meet the everyday financial planning needs of all Canadians.
Students will be awarded the Certificate in 3H Financial Planning upon successful completion of the program, with easy-to-share digital credentials.
Program Information
Program Cost
- $750
Program Prerequisites
- Students must meet the eligibility requirements to start the QAFP Professional Education Program
Registration and Start Dates
- Start dates are scheduled on the first business day of every other month
- Students can register for programs that start within three months
- Registration closes 10 business days prior to the scheduled start date
- To register:
- Create an account on the FP Canada Portal and log in
- Complete the FP Canada Institute Education Application, available on the "My Applications" page
- Select program start date
- Upload proof of completion of prerequisites to the application or email them to FP Canada (completion of IPE is automatically registered)
- Documents must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled start date
- To register after the deadline has passed, students can submit a request to info@fpcanada.ca. Exceptions are not guaranteed and require the student to pay a fee
Time to Complete
- The QAFP Professional Education Program is equivalent to a semester–long, diploma level, 3–credit course.
- Program takes an estimated 50–70 hours to complete
- The program must be completed within seven months of program start date.
Program Format
- Delivered online through the FP Canada Institute Learning Platform
- Students progress through the program at their own pace while adhering to all assignments and the final assessment due dates
- Student support available through discussion forums and live, virtual, weekly office hours with a CFP professional
Evaluation Information
- Student performance is evaluated through seven end-of-unit assignments and one final assessment, each of which is based on realistic client scenarios
- Each evaluation item has a set due date (see table below); a grade of zero is given for any assignment or final assessment that is not submitted on time
| Assignment | Due Date |
| Unit 1 Assignment | End of month 1 |
| Unit 2 Assignment | End of month 1 |
| Unit 3 Assignment | End of month 2 |
| Unit 4 Assignment | End of month 3 |
| Unit 5 Assignment | End of month 4 |
| Unit 6 Assignment | End of month 5 |
| Unit 7 Assignment | End of month 5 |
| Final Assessment | End of month 7 |
For example, a student who begins the program on March 1 must submit the end-of-unit assignments for Unit 1 and 2 by March 31.
Repeat Enrolment
- Students who do not successfully complete the QAFP Professional Education Program and wish to reattempt it must re-enrol at the full program fee, subject to continuing to meet prerequisite education requirements.
Postponements
- Registered students may request a postponement for a fee
- Postponement requests are accepted up to 20 business days after the start of the program and before any assignment is submitted. Once 20 business days have passed or an assignment is submitted, postponements are not accepted
- Postponements can be made to an available start date within three months of the request date
- Only one postponement is permitted
Withdrawals
- Students who choose to withdraw from the program may be eligible for a refund, depending on when they withdraw, as follows:
| Date of Withdrawal | Refund |
| More than 10 business days prior to program start date | 100% |
| Between 10 business days prior to and 20 business days after program start date | 75% |
| More than 20 business days after program start date | No Refund |
For all policies relating to the QAFP Professional Education Program, refer to the FP Canada Institute Student Handbook.
Questions?
For assistance with your continuing education registration or for questions about the course, contact our FP Canada Certificant and Student Services at info@fpcanada.ca, 416-593-8587 or 1-800-305-9886. Our office is open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.