QAFP® Certification Bridge Path to CFP® Certification
The QAFP Certification Bridge Path to CFP Certification provides two options for QAFP professionals who are seeking CFP certification. QAFP professionals who have not completed the QAFP Professional Education Program may follow option 2 and complete the CFP Professional Education Program. QAFP professionals who have completed the QAFP Professional Education Program may follow option 1 and complete the FP Canada Institute™ QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program. QAFP professionals must complete either the QAFP Professional Education Program or the CFP Professional Education Program within one year of QAFP certification. For more information, please refer to the CFP Certification Policies.
5 Steps to CFP Certification (Option 1, QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program)
To begin the QAFP Certification Bridge Path to CFP Certification - Option 1, you must be a current QAFP professional and complete an FP Canada–Approved Advanced Curriculum Program, as well as the FP Canada Institute QAFP Professional Education Program.
Once you have met these requirements, you may register for the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program (Bridge Program).
Upon successful completion of the Bridge Program, you will be eligible to write the CFP examination. You may apply for CFP certification once you pass the CFP examination and complete three years of qualifying work experience.
To be eligible for CFP certification, applicants must hold a post-secondary degree from an accredited college or university. FP Canada will accept international degrees where there is supporting documentation establishing that the international
degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
Candidates will be exempt from post-secondary education requirements if they have more than 10 years of relevant work experience or have held QAFP certification for a minimum of five
years and are a QAFP professional in good standing. For more information and additional transition provisions, please visit our post-secondary education requirements FAQ page.
5 Steps to CFP Certification (Option 2, CFP Professional Education Program)
To begin the QAFP Certification Bridge Path to CFP Certification - Option 2, you must be a current QAFP professional and complete an FP Canada–Approved Advanced Curriculum Program, either as a standalone program or as part of a combined Core Curriculum/Advanced Curriculum Program.
Once you have met these requirements, you may register for the FP Canada Institute™ CFP Professional Education Program. Please note, the FP Canada Institute Introduction to Professional Ethics (IPE) course must be completed prior to starting the CFP Professional Education Program.
QAFP Certification
You must hold the QAFP certification, adhere to the FP Canada Standards Council™ Standards of Professional Responsibility and meet FP Canada’s continuing education requirements.
Learn more about continuing education requirements
Helpful Resources
QAFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility
FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program
Enrol in an FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program.
Learn more about the Advanced Curriculum Program
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Financial Planning Body of Knowledge
FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profiles
Find FP Canada-Approved Advanced Curriculum Program Providers
CFP Professional Education Program or QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program
Enrol in either the CFP Professional Education Program or the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program
If you have not yet completed the QAFP Professional Education Program, you may choose to complete the CFP Professional Education Program within one year of QAFP certification. If you have completed the QAFP Professional
Education Program, you may choose to enrol in the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program instead.
Learn more about the CFP Professional Education Program
Learn more about the QAFP Certification to CFP Certification Bridge Program
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
CFP® Examination
Write the CFP examination. The CFP examination is a six-hour, computer-based exam consisting of a combination of stand-alone, multiple-choice (20%-30%), and case-based constructed-response (70%-80%) questions. The test specifications are published in the FP Canada Blueprint: CFP Examination. Each question on the exam focuses on specific elements of the FP Canada Standards Council™ Competency Profile and integrates several financial planning areas. The CFP exam is administered three times a year, can be taken in-person at a testing centre or via online proctoring and is available in English and French (on request). Learn more about the CFP examination
Helpful Resources
CFP Exam Study Toolkit
FAQ: CFP examination
Apply for CFP® Certification
Once you have completed three years of qualifying work experience, you are ready to apply for CFP certification.
Note: A post-secondary degree is a requirement for CFP certification. For more information on exemptions and additional transition provisions, please visit our post-secondary education requirements FAQ page.
Learn more about work experience requirements
Learn more about post-secondary education requirements
Helpful Resources
CFP Certification Policies
Standards of Professional Responsibility