QAFP™ Certification to CFP® Certification Bridge Program
The FP Canada Institute™ QAFP to CFP Certification Bridge program (the Bridge Program) offers QUALIFIED ASSOCIATE FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals who have completed the QAFP Professional Education Program (PEP), a pathway to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.
The Bridge Program builds on the skills learned in the QAFP PEP and requires students to apply knowledge from the Advanced Curriculum as well as the Core Curriculum to the practice of financial planning. The program expands on core concepts in the QAFP PEP with more comprehensive financial planning models and provides an illustrative case study, which incorporates more complex financial planning situations.
The Bridge Program uses real-world case scenarios to practice and build competence in Holistic Financial Planning, Human Behaviour and Honesty and Ethics (the 3Hs) and helps prepare students serve their clients’ needs, goals and priorities, no matter how complex.
Students will be awarded the Advanced Certificate in 3H Financial Planning™ upon successful completion of the program, with easy-to-share digital credentials.
Program Information
Course Cost:
$750
Start Date:
Anytime, upon education application approval.
Course Length (Estimated):
It is expected that the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program will take 35 to 55 hours to complete.
Course Prerequisites:
To complete your registration for the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program, you must:
- hold QAFP certification in good standing;
- have completed the QAFP Professional Education Program; and
- have completed an FP Canada-approved Advanced Curriculum program*.
*Candidates who have completed an FP Canada-Approved Core Curriculum Program prior to January 2020 are eligible to register for the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program.
Registration:
To register for the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program, log in to the FP Canada Portal and complete the FP Canada Institute™ Education Application available on the "My Applications" page.
Course Completion Requirements and Assessment:
The QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program includes four end-of-unit quizzes, three end-of-unit assignments and one final assessment.
The assignments and final assessment are culminating activities based on realistic client scenarios that require students to demonstrate knowledge, ethics and skills in financial planning, professional responsibility and human behaviour. Students will be asked to complete specific case-based evaluations, using both multiple choice questions and constructed response questions to demonstrate their ability to apply the concepts and techniques in practice.
To successfully complete the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program, students must achieve a minimum grade of 60%.
Maximum Allowable Time to Complete Program:
Six months. Failure to complete the program within six months of the registration date will result in an “incomplete” record for the course. Exceptions may be granted at the FP Canada Institute’s sole discretion.
Exam Administrations:
Students who would like to write the October 2022 CFP exam must submit the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program final assessment by August 16, 2022.
Weighting:
Unit 1 through Unit 7 Quizzes and Assignments: 50%
Final Assessment: 50%
Repeating Enrolment:
Students who do not successfully complete the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program within six months of registration and wish to reattempt it can re-enrol at the full program fee, subject to continuing to meet prerequisite education requirements.
Postponements/Withdrawal Fees:
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 |
| Between the program registration date and 20 business days after the program registration date. | 75% |
| More than 20 business days after program registration date | No Refund |
For more information on the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge 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.