CFP

GUIDE TO
CFP ® CERTIFICATION
May 2010
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board)
is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as
the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning.

CFP ® Certification: The Recognized Standard of Excellence
in Personal Financial Planning
Thank you for your interest in CFP® certification. Your decision to learn more about the CFP® certification
requirements is an important first step toward joining the CFP® certificant community – a group of more than
120,000 professionals around the world who are dedicated to providing quality financial planning advice, putting
the interests of their clients ahead of their own.
Personal financial planning is an exciting, growing profession. With the economic challenges the world has faced in
®
recent years, and with individuals facing increased responsibilities and options for planning their own finances,
there has never been a greater need for professional financial planning services. Job opportunities are expanding
to meet that need: “Personal financial planner” was ranked third in a 2009 Money/Payscale.com list of the 50 jobs
in America offering the most growth potential, and the ranks of personal financial planners are forecast to grow
41% over the next 10 years.
CFP Board believes that the public deserves high-quality personal financial planning services delivered by profes-
sionals who have demonstrated the ability to provide competent and ethical services to clients. Amid the dozens
of credentials that have proliferated in the financial services industry, the CFP® certification marks are an impor-
tant means for competent and ethical financial planners to stand out from others who call themselves financial
planners or advisers.
The rigorous competency, ethics and practice standards established and enforced by CFP Board have allowed the
CFP®, CerTIFIed FInAnCIAl PlAnner™ and ® certification marks to become recognized as the standard of excel-
lence in personal financial planning. earning and displaying the CFP® marks demonstrates to the public, and your
peers, your commitment to a career in financial planning and your pledge to providing financial planning services
as a fiduciary, putting your clients’ interests ahead of your own at all times.
Pursuing the CFP® certification requires a serious dedication of time and effort. But the rewards it offers are well
worth the effort. CFP Board research has shown that the clients of CFP® practitioners tend to be more satisfied
with their financial planning engagements and are more likely to recommend their planner to family or friends.
CFP® certificants also report extremely high satisfaction with their career choices, and the vast majority have
indicated that the CFP® certification has contributed directly to the success of their careers.
Whether you are just beginning to consider a career in personal financial planning or your background qualifies
you to challenge the CFP® certification examination, I encourage you to visit our Web site at
www.CFP.net/account to establish an online account that will allow us to provide you with any updates to the
CFP® certification requirements.
I commend you for considering a career as a CerTIFIed FInAnCIAl PlAnner™ professional. And I hope you will feel
free to contact our dedicated Support Specialist team at 800-487-1497 or [email protected] if you
have any questions about your path toward CFP® certification.
Best regards,
Kevin r. Keller, CAe

CeO, CFP Board
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CFP Board’s CFP ® certification program is accredited by the national Commission for Certifying Agencies (nCCA), the accrediting body of
the Washington, d.C.-based Institute for Credentialing excellence (formerly the national Organization for Competency Assurance). nCCA
was created in 1989 to establish nationally accepted criteria, guidelines and standards for certifying agencies.To receive such accreditation, CFP
Board’s CFP ® certification program meets the highest national voluntary standards for private certification set forth by the nCCA.
CFP Board does not discriminate in certification opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disabil-
ity or any other characteristic protected by law. Contributions accepted by CFP Board are tax deductible.
In certain instances, CFP Board may release lists of individuals who have requested a copy of this booklet to selected other parties, including
CFP Board-registered Programs, who agree to CFP Board’s usage requirements.To opt out of such lists, send a request to CFP Board by e-
mail to [email protected] or by fax to 202-379-2299.
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Table of Contents
CFP ® Certification Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Initial Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Certification renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Online Tools and resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
education requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Coursework requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Bachelor’s degree requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Completing the education requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
CFP Board-registered Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Finding a CFP Board-registered Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Challenge Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
CFP Certification examination
®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
eligibility and Acceptable Qualifying documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Transcript review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
logistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Scoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
re-examination Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
review and Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
exam review Course Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Topic list for CFP ® Certification examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Addendum to the Topic list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Provided Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
experience requirment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Bachelor’s degree requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Work experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Internships/residency Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Verification of experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Pre-Certification Continuing education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
experience Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
ethics requirment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Candidate Fitness Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Petitions for reconsideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Verification of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Authorization to Use the CFP® Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
CFP® Certification Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Initial Certifcation Period and Continuing education (Ce) reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
International reciprocity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Policy exception requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Terms and Conditions of CFP® Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Copyright © 1988-2010, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. All rights reserved.
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CFP® Certification Overview

The CFP® certification process, administered by CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals who have been
authorized to use the CFP® certification marks in the U.S. have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to
adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when
dealing with clients.
CFP Board conducted a nationwide consumer survey among upper-income households.That survey reflects the public’s
growing demand for financial planners who adhere to rigorous standards. Of those surveyed:
• 85% considered successful completion of a certification examination “very important” or “extremely

important.”
• 95% felt financial planners should adhere to professional practice standards.
• 97% said the most important standard for financial planners was adherence to a professional code of
ethics.
CFP® certificants must pass the comprehensive CFP ® Certification examination, pass CFP Board’s Candidate Fitness
Standards, agree to abide by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Rules of Conduct which put
clients’ interests first, and comply with the Financial Planning Practice Standards which spell out what clients should be
able to reasonably expect from the financial planning engagement.These are just some of the reasons why the CFP® cer-
tification is respected within the financial services industry and increasingly recognized among consumers of financial
services.
In addition, the CFP® certification prepares you for a career-long commitment to meeting the ever-changing needs of
your clients. As a CFP® professional, you become a coach and problem-solver, able to provide truly personalized services
to clients and to maintain high levels of financial planning and professionalism. Finally, your expertise and credibility as a
financial planner is instantly communicated with the CFP® marks — the financial planning certification most sought after
by consumers and financial planners alike.
InITIAl CerTIFICATIOn
To become certified, you are required to meet the following four initial certification requirements (known as the four
“es”):
• education
• examination
• experience
• ethics
These four components are briefly described on the next page; subsequent sections of this booklet provide detailed
information about each component.While the CFP® certification requirements may be changed from time to time, you
will be expected to meet the requirements that are in place at the time you apply for the CFP ® Certification
examination.
More information can be found on www.CFP.net/aboutus regarding CFP Board’s activities and
volunteer opportunities.
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Education
The first step to CFP ® certification is to study the body of knowledge for personal financial planning
through college-level coursework.To take the CFP ® Certification examination, you will need to be
knowledgeable in the financial planning topics listed on page 20. For an outline of the four ways to com-
plete the educational coursework requirement, see page 8. Candidates must also have a bachelor’s
degree (or higher) in order to obtain CFP® certification.The bachelor’s degree requirement is a condi-
tion of initial certification; it is not a requirement to be eligible to take the CFP ® Certification
examination and does not have to occur before sitting for the exam.
Examination
After you have successfully met the education requirement, you will be eligible to apply for the CFP ®
Certification examination.The CFP® Certification examination assesses your ability to apply your financial
planning knowledge (based on the topic list on page 20), in an integrated format, to financial planning
situations. Combined with the education and experience requirements, it assures the public that you have
met a level of competency appropriate for professional practice. details about the CFP® Certification
examination are on page 11.
Experience
Because CFP® certification indicates to the public your ability to provide financial planning without
supervision, CFP Board requires you to have experience in the financial planning process.Three years of
full-time relevant personal financial planning experience is required.
Ethics
Applicants for CFP® certification are required to pass CFP Board’s Candidate Fitness Standards, which
describe conduct that will always bar an individual from becoming certified and conduct that is pre-
sumed to be unacceptable and will bar an individual from becoming certified unless the individual
successfully petitions CFP Board’s disciplinary and ethics Commission for reconsideration.
When you have completed the education, examination and experience components of the CFP® certifi-
cation process, you will be directed to complete a CFP® Certification Application asking you to disclose
information about your background, including whether you have ever been a party (or involved) in any
criminal, civil, governmental, or self-regulatory agency proceeding or inquiry. CFP® certification also
requires you to agree to adhere to CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, and acknowledge CFP
Board’s right to enforce them through its Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. details about the ethics
requirement are on page 33.
CerTIFICATIOn reneWAl
Once you have been authorized to use the CFP® marks, you must meet CFP Board’s renewal standards to continue to
use them.Your CFP® certification must be renewed every two years at the end of your renewal month in an odd or
even year (based on your birth date.) In order to position you in the correct period, your initial continuing education
(Ce) requirement and renewal fee are prorated.
The renewal requirements are 1) certification application, 2) $360 certification fee (non-refundable), and 3) 30 hours of
Ce.The Ce requirement includes 28 hours in the accepted financial planning topics (starting on page 20) and two hours
from a pre-approved program on CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct or Financial
Planning Practice Standards.
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renewal reminders will be sent to you beginning approximately four months before your certification expires.The cer-
tification fee helps cover the costs associated with ethics enforcement, protection of the marks against infringement,
maintenance of professional standards of practice and public awareness activities related to financial planning and the
CFP® marks.
The renewal requirements are explained in more detail on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/certificants.
OnlIne TOOlS And reSOUrCeS
CFP Board is dedicated to providing excellent service to its stakeholders. Our Web site, www.CFP.net/become, offers
the most up-to-date information about the initial certification requirements and can be a valuable resource for you as
you work to achieve the CFP® certification. Another section of the site, www.CFP.net/learn, demonstrates our commit-
ment to educating the public about the benefits of financial planning and the importance of choosing a CerTIFIed
FInAnCIAl PlAnnerTM professional.
Create an Online Account with CFP Board
Whether you’ve just begun to consider a career in personal financial planning or are completing the final
classes of a CFP Board-registered Program, CFP Board invites you to indicate your interest in CFP®
Certification by creating a secure online account with CFP Board at www.CFP.net/account.
Creating an account will allow us to provide you with the most current information about CFP®
Certification.You’ll receive the monthly CFP Board Report e-newsletter, as well as updates on any changes to
the requirements for CFP® certification. establishing an account with CFP Board will also enable you to
apply for the CFP® Certification examination when you’ve completed the education coursework require-
ment for CFP® certification.
www.CFP.net/become
On www.CFP.net/become you have access to the most comprehensive, up-to-date information regard-
ing the CFP® certification. Go to the Web site to look for a registered education provider, find sample
exam questions or learn more about post-certification volunteer activities. From this section of the
Web site you can apply to take the CFP® Certification examination and complete the other certification
requirements.
www.CFP.net/learn
Here, consumers can learn about reducing debt, saving for retirement and managing other common
financial issues; participate in polls and surveys; subscribe to CFP Board’s enewsletter to get more
information about financial planning; learn how to choose a financial planner and use a personal data
organizer to help prepare them for meeting with a planner; learn about the high standards met by CFP®
professionals and verify that a planner in their area has the CFP® certification.To help educate the public
about the CFP® marks and the benefits of financial planning, CFP Board also has an active consumer
outreach program and collaborates with other organizations.
Create your account today at www.CFP.net/account to receive updates and news from
CFP Board.
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education requirement
COUrSeWOrK reQUIreMenT
As a first step to CFP ® certification, you must complete a course of study (or an accepted equivalent) covering nearly
100 integrated financial planning topics (see page 20).The topics cover major planning areas such as:
• General principles of financial planning

• Insurance planning and risk management
• employee benefits planning
• Investment planning
• Income tax planning
• retirement planning
• estate planning
Although education is a fundamental part of achieving CFP® certification, fulfillment of a course of study covering the
required topics does not automatically equate to preparedness for the CFP ® Certification examination.
Before determining an examination preparation strategy and applying for the exam, all individuals considering taking the
CFP ® Certification examination should review the currency and completeness of their education against the current list
of topics (see page 20). retaking courses or taking additional courses to improve currency and mastery of specific
topic.Taking actions to ensure your education is comprehensive and up-to-date may improve your ability to synthesize
and evaluate complex concepts at an advanced cognitive level.
remember, the CFP ® Certification examination does not test textbook theories, but rather it assesses your ability to
apply your financial planning knowledge in an integrated approach to deal with “real-life” financial planning situations.
BACHelOr’S deGree reQUIreMenT
In addition to completing courses that cover the financial planning topics required for CFP® certification, a bachelor’s
degree (or higher), or its equivalent1, in any discipline, from an accredited U.S. college or university2 is required to attain
CFP® certification.The bachelor’s degree requirement is a condition of initial certification; it is not a requirement to be
eligible to take the CFP ® Certification examination. After you pass the CFP® Certification examination, you will be
required to provide evidence (official transcript from the degree-granting institution) that you hold a qualified bachelor’s
degree or higher degree.
You have five years from the date you pass the CFP® Certification examination to satisfy the bachelor’s degree and work
experience requirements. If you have not reported to CFP Board your attainment of an acceptable bachelor’s degree
(or higher degree) and/or have not satisfied the work experience requirement within this time frame, your candidacy
for CFP® certification may be terminated. A one-time, three year extension may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
requests for an extension should be sent to CFP Board by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to 202-379-
2299.
1
International degrees may be substituted for a U.S. undergraduate degree if they receive equivalency from a third-party evaluation agency which is a member of National
Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) www.NACES.org. Applicants should request a document-by-document evaluation.
2
An “accredited college or university” is one that has been accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.To confirm a school’s accredita-
tion please visit the Department of Education’s Web site (ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx)
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COMPleTInG THe edUCATIOn reQUIreMenT
You can complete the education requirement for CFP® certification through one of the following four methods:
1. CFP Board-Registered Program

NO previous financial
planning course work
CFP Board-Registered
Program CFP®
Certification
Examination
2. Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs

NO previous financial
planning course work
Coursework on some topics at
CFP Board-Registered Program
Coursework on remaining topics at

CFP Board-Registered Program(s) CFP®
Certification
Examination
3. Challenge Status
CPA, ChFC, CLU, CFA®, D.B.A., Ph.D.
(Business or Economics), Licensed attorney
CFP®
Certification
Examination
4. Transcript Review Yes
Previous financial planning

course work OR CFP®
professional designation Transcript Certification
Review OK? No Examination
Or
CFP Board-Registered
Program
College University Courses/

Professional Designation
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CFP BOArd-reGISTered PrOGrAMS
You can complete a course of study in financial planning offered by a CFP Board-registered Program, an educational
institution with a curriculum registered with CFP Board. For the most up-to-date list, visit CFP Board’s Web site at
www.CFP.net/become.
Course Titles and Length of Study
CFP Board has reviewed the upper division undergraduate level or higher educational programs at reg-
istered institutions to ensure that they cover the core knowledge needed to practice personal financial
planning. regardless of program type, the curriculum taught must be the equivalent of at least 15
semester credit hours. each educational institution may present the topics under various course names
and titles, such as risk management, financial analysis or estate planning. However, each registered
Program will cover all of the topics needed to meet the educational coursework requirement for CFP ®
certification. Some programs include various specialized courses or a review course to better prepare
you for the CFP ® Certification examination. Program directors at any CFP Board-registered Program
have the authority to waive students out of courses in accordance with their college or university pol-
icy.
Contact one of the programs from the list on www.CFP.net/become for more information about
courses offered, class schedules, tuition and transfer of credit for courses previously taken. In general,
the course work in a certificate level program can be completed in 18 to 24 months.
CFP Board does not endorse one program over another. All programs cover the same core curriculum,
yet vary in style, length and delivery method.They may be certificate programs, undergraduate pro-
grams or graduate programs. Programs can also differ in their delivery methods with some having
traditional classroom-based instruction and others offering self-study or online courses. All institutions
are accredited by their region's accrediting body.
Coursework from Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs
If you have successfully completed individual courses at two or more CFP Board-registered Programs
but have not completed, or had credits transferred to, any one entire program, you may qualify to apply
for the CFP® Certification examination under the Multiple CFP Board-registered Programs status.
After applying for the exam you will be required to provide transcripts to verify completion of the edu-
cational coursework through this approach. Please note that not all CFP Board-registered Programs
have the same number of courses nor do they cover the core topics in the same order or course
sequence. Programs may group or combine topics differently, and semester hour equivalencies may
vary. To qualify to take the exam through this approach, you must have covered all required topics and
have achieved the minimum 15 semester credits or the equivalent in core topics.
FIndInG A CFP BOArd-reGISTered PrOGrAM
Updated lists of CFP Board-registered Programs may be generated on CFP Board’s Web site at
www.CFP.net/become/programs.asp. lists of programs can be selected by state or by type (e.g. Certificate programs,
Undergraduate programs or Graduate programs), and a list of programs that utilize distance learning methods, such as
self-study and/or online delivery methods can also be selected.
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E D U C AT I O N
Important Questions to Ask about CFP Board-Registered Programs
Because the educational offerings are so varied, consider asking the Program director the following questions when
evaluating a program:
• What educational level is your curriculum (junior/senior baccalaureate, master’s or doctorate level)?
• How long does it take to complete your curriculum?
• How much does your program cost? does that amount include books, tests and other fees?
• Are you anticipating making changes to your program?
• How do you schedule your courses? How often are courses offered?
• Is your distance education program offered online or is it paper-based?
• What are the credentials of your faculty?
• does your program have internships or job placement services?
• does your program have a review course? does it partner with a review course provider?
• Overall, how will your program prepare me to be a financial planner?
CHAllenGe STATUS
CFP Board accepts specific academic degrees and professional credentials as the equivalent of a course of study cover-
ing the financial planning topics required for CFP ® certification. If you have one of the following degrees or credentials,
you are automatically eligible to apply for the CFP ® Certification examination:
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

• Chartered life Underwriter (ClU)
• Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
• Ph.d. in business or economics*
• doctor of Business Administration*
• licensed attorney – inactive license acceptable**
• licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – (inactive license acceptable)**
Only the degrees and credentials listed above are approved for challenging the CFP ® Certification examination. In addi-
tion, the Certified employee Benefits Specialists (CeBS) credential plus the addition of two courses will qualify an
individual to sit for the CFP ® Certification examination (see details on page 12). If your degree or credential is not on
this list, you may wish to consult the Transcript review process as an alternate route to the CFP ® Certification
examination (see details on page 14).
If you hold a qualified degree or credential that allows you to challenge the CFP® Certification examination through the
challenge status, your exam application must be accompanied or followed with specific documentation verifying your
qualification (see details on page 12).
To apply for the CFP ® Certification examination under Challenge Status, visit CFP Board’s Web site at
www.CFP.net/become and complete the online application form.
*Degree must be from an accredited U.S. college or university.

**If you apply for challenge status on the basis of an inactive CPA license or law license, you will need to provide a letter from the applicable licensing
board stating that you are in good standing with that authority.
Find a CFP Board-resistered Program at www.CFP.net/become/programs.asp. Search by state,

type (certificate program, undergraduate degree or graduate degree) and delivery method.
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E X A M I N AT I O N
CFP ® Certification examination

The CFP® Certification examination is designed to assess your ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life financial
planning situations. By passing this exam, you demonstrate to the public that you are at the appropriate level of competency
required to practice financial planning.
deVelOPMenT
To develop exams that reflect the current practice of financial planning, CFP Board conducts regular job analyses by
reviewing the typical tasks performed by planners and assessing the knowledge and skills needed to perform these
tasks.
Valid job-related exam topics are developed and exam questions written by task forces that include practicing financial
planners and financial planning educators.The exam questions are subjected to a rigorous review by CFP Board’s
Council on examinations and subcommittees of content experts composed of practicing planners and educators. each
question is answered – and assessed – by practicing financial planners. A list of exam topics can be found on page 20.
Samples of retired exam questions may be accessed on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/become.The sample mul-
tiple-choice questions provide you with an understanding of question format but should not be used as a practice exam
or indicator of exam preparedness.
The CFP® Certification examination tests current tax law, and the tax tables and other indexed numbers provided to
examinees with the exam booklets will reflect current year tax law, with the exception of any recent tax law changes
signed into law six months or less prior to the exam administration date. For example, a tax law signed into law in
January would not be eligible for testing on the March exam but would be eligible for testing on the July exam and
thereafter.
A document with the tax tables and other indexed numbers provided to examinees with the exam booklets is available
on CFP Board’s Web site with an indication of the exam administration(s) to which it applies.
Questions and Case Scenarios
All questions on the CFP ® Certification examination are presented in a multiple-choice format.There
are two primary types of questions.The first type is in the form of a brief fact or scenario. enough facts
are given to allow the tester to answer from one to six questions that follow.These questions are
worth two points each.
The second type of question is presented following an extensive case scenario. After reading each sce-
nario, you will be asked to answer 10 to 20 multiple-choice questions.Typically, there are three case
scenarios and three corresponding sets of questions on each exam. each case question is worth three
points.
Balance of Emphasis
The CFP ® Certification examination will test your ability to integrate knowledge from all of CFP
Board’s specified topic areas (see page 20). Questions may focus on individual topics or may require
knowledge of several topics. each exam attempts to achieve a distribution of the topics based on the
target percentages shown for each category.
Go to www.CFP.net/become to view sample exam questions, tax tables and other indexed
numbers, a list of financial planning topics covered on the exam, and upcoming exam deadlines.
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Cognitive Level
The cognitive levels that are tested on the CFP ® Certification examination are:
• Knowledge
• Comprehension/Application
• Analysis/Synthesis
• evaluation
The CFP ® Certification examination measures your critical thinking and problem-solving ability, with
less emphasis on the first cognitive level.
elIGIBIlITY And ACCePTABle QUAlIFYInG dOCUMenTATIOn
You can apply for the CFP® Certification examination when you have successfully fulfilled the education coursework
requirement or its equivalent (see page 7 for details).
To demonstrate your eligibility, you must provide the following documentation no later than 5:00 p.m. eastern time on
the application deadline. late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances:
CFP Board-Registered Program
If you have successfully completed a CFP Board-registered Program, please indicate the name of the
institution, name of the program and the date of completion in the appropriate spaces on the online
application.
You must provide photocopies of transcripts, diplomas, score reports or a letter of authorization from
the Program director. do not send qualifying documentation separately. If qualifying documentation is
not provided by the application deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and will be
returned to you.This may result in missing the application deadline.
Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs
You may apply for the exam under the Multiple CFP Board-registered Program status if you: 1) suc-
cessfully completed individual courses at two or more CFP Board-registered Programs but have not
completed, or had credits transferred to, any one entire program; 2) your studies covered all of the
financial planning topics; and 3) you have achieved the minimum 15 semester credits or the equivalent
in the core topics.
You must provide photocopies of transcripts, diplomas, score reports or letters of authorization from
the Program directors from each CFP Board-registered Programs you attended. do not send qualify-
ing documentation separately. If qualifying documentation is not provided by the application deadline,
your application will be considered incomplete and will be returned to you.This may result in missing
the application deadline.
CEBS
If you hold the CeBS* credential, you may complete two additional courses to satisfy CFP Board’s edu-
cation coursework requirement.
*Individuals who hold the CEBS credential may complete two additional courses (Personal Financial Planning I and Personal Financial Planning II) from the
Wharton School and the International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) to satisfy CFP Board’s education requirement.These individuals will
not need to complete a transcript review application or submit a transcript review fee. Instead, they should complete the CFP ® Certification Examination
Application and then send CFP Board a copy of the CEBS designation and either a transcript or score report showing completion of the Personal Financial
Planning I and II courses.
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You must provide a a photocopy of your CeBS designation plus a transcript or score report showing
completion of the Personal Financial Planning I and II courses. do not send qualifying documentation
separately. If qualifying documentation is not provided by the application deadline, your application will
be considered incomplete and will be returned to you.This may result in missing the application dead-
line.
CFA®
If you hold the CFA® designation, you are automatically eligible to apply for the CFP ® Certification
examination under Challenge Status.
You must provide a photocopy of the certificate, a copy of the congratulatory letter from CFA
Institute, a copy of a verification letter from CFA Institute or a printout of charter holder directory
from CFA Institute’s Web site, www.CFAinstitute.org.
CLU or ChFC
If you hold the ClU or ChFC designation, you are automatically eligible to apply for the CFP ®
Certification examination under Challenge Status.
You must provide a copy of the certificate, a copy of the congratulatory letter from The American
College, a transcript, a score report (only the last score report is necessary as it lists all previous cred-
its/courses), Sylvan test site score report printouts or a printout from the student access center of The
American College’s Web site, www.TheAmericanCollege.edu.
CPA
If you are or have been (inactive license acceptable) a licensed CPA, you are automatically eligible to
apply for the CFP ® Certification examination under Challenge Status.
You must provide a copy of your CPA license (must not be expired), a recent printout (not more than
90 days old) from a state board of accountancy Web site noting your current CPA license status
(active) with unexpired expiration date, a copy of your inactive CPA license showing unexpired expira-
tion date and a letter of good standing from state board of accountancy noting status (inactive),
unexpired expiration date and statement of good standing, a recent printout (not more than 90 days
old) from a state board of accountancy Web site noting your current status (inactive) with unexpired
expiration date and statement noting status is in good standing (not available from all web sites). CFP
Board will nOT accept CPA certificates, AICPA membership cards and expired, exempt or revoked
licenses. State board of accountancy Web sites may be located through the AICPA Web site at
www.aicpa.org/yellow/ypsboa.htm.
International CFP Certification
If you hold the CFP Certification in a territory other than the United States, you are automatically eligi-
ble to apply for the CFP ® Certification examination under Challenge Status.
You must provide written documentation verifying that you hold a current CFP certification issued by
one of the affiliate organizations of Financial Planning Standards Board, ltd.
Licensed Attorney
If you are or have been (inactive license acceptable) a licensed attorney, you are automatically eligible to
apply for the CFP ® Certification examination under Challenge Status.
Go to www.CFP.net/become to apply for the exam.
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You must provide a copy of your license (must not be expired), a recent (not more than 90 days old)
letter of verification from appropriate licensing body noting you are admitted to practice, a recent
printout (not more than 90 days old) from an appropriate licensing body’s Web site showing active sta-
tus and unexpired expiration date, or a letter from an appropriate licensing body noting your license is
inactive but in good standing.
Ph.D. in Business, Economics or Business Administration (DBA)
If you hold a Ph.d. in Business, economics or Business Administration (dBA), you are automatically eligi-
ble to apply for the CFP ® Certification examination under Challenge Status.
You must provide a copy of transcripts (unofficial or student issued are acceptable) or a letter from
registrar’s office noting conferment of degree and major. CFP Board does nOT accept copies of diplo-
mas unless the major of economics, business or business administration is noted on the diploma.
Transcript Review
If you have covered some of the components in CFP Board’s financial planning topic list through previ-
ous educational coursework not taken through a CFP Board-registered Program, CFP Board will
consider granting credit towards the educational coursework requirement for CFP ® certification if:
1. You can demonstrate that you have successfully completed equivalent upper-division level
college or university coursework at a regionally-accredited college or university;
and/or
2. You have one of the credentials listed below that CFP Board has pre-approved for partial
credit.
review the detailed topic list on page 20 and use the checklist on the backside of the Transcript review
Application against your college transcript(s) to assess if you have covered any CFP Board topics.The
Transcript review Application form is available on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/become.
look for upper-division level courses (junior, senior or graduate level coursework with course numbers
of typically 300 or greater) with titles such as Personal Income Tax, Insurance, Investments, estate
Planning, retirement Planning and Personal Financial Planning.
To satisfy the entire educational coursework requirement via a transcript review, your financial plan-
ning-related coursework must total at least 15 upper-division semester hours or 20 quarter hours.The
courses must have been taken at a U.S. regionally-accredited four-year educational institution.
If, after reviewing your transcript, you feel that you have completed all or part of the necessary financial
planning topics at an appropriate institution, you may apply to CFP Board for a transcript review.
The following credentials have been deemed to fulfill certain portions of the education requirement for
CFP® certification.The first column lists the credential; the second lists the corresponding topics in CFP
Board’s topic list.
Continuing education courses, firm training and/or FInrA or state licenses do not fulfill any part of
CFP Board’s initial educational requirement.Only those individuals who have received a letter from CFP
Board indicating that they have successfully completed CFP Board’s educational coursework require-
ment via a Transcript review process qualify to sit for the CFP® Certification examination under this
category. Attach the letter of authorization from CFP Board to the application.
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lOGISTICS
Test Dates
Credential Topics satisfied on CFP Board’s topic list

Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) 10, 11, 34-43
Certified employee Benefits Specialist (CeBS)* 10-15, 17, 18, 27, 34-41, 48, 60-67
enrolled Agent (eA) 44-58
Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) 10, 11, 34-43
The CFP Certification examination is scheduled to last 10 hours over a day and a half and is held
®
three times a year, generally on the third Friday and Saturday of March, July and november.The exam is
a pencil-and-paper format and consists of one four-hour session on Friday afternoon and two three-
hour sessions on Saturday. exam locations are available in more than 50 locations around the U.S.
exact location sites are not secured until after the application deadline so that we may accommodate
all applicants; information about exact exam location sites is provided to applicants approximately two
weeks prior to the exam date.
Application Submittal
If you have completed the education coursework requirement for CFP® certification (or its equivalent)
and are ready to apply for the CFP® Certification examination, you may apply online at
www.CFP.net/become.
CFP Board must receive complete exam applications no later than 5:00 p.m. eastern time on the appli-
cation deadline. late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. Only complete exam
applications will be processed.The following constitutes a "complete" exam application:
• Application (in full) signed and dated

• exam fee (in full)
• Appropriate qualifying documentation (e.g., transcript, certificate, diploma or license)
Your exam application will be reviewed by CFP Board; however, your exam will be administered by
Prometric, in lawrenceville, new Jersey.
Alternate Test Dates and Special Accommodations
If you cannot test on Fridays and/or Saturdays because of religious beliefs, CFP Board will make alter-
nate testing arrangements. A written request for such accommodations must be included with the exam
application, along with a letter from your religious leader.
CFP Board will make reasonable accommodations for anyone who, because of a disability, will need spe-
cial accommodations to sit for the CFP® Certification examination. A written request for such
accommodations must be included with the exam application, along with a physician's letter outlining
the disability and suggesting the special accommodations that would best address this disability.
International Test Sites
CFP Board will establish international test sites for the CFP ® Certification examination on a case-by-
case basis for a site fee of $1,475 in addition to the regular exam fee.
Go to www.CFP.net/become for an updated list of test dates and locations.
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Fee
The fee for the CFP ® Certification examination is $595 and must be paid in full by the application dead-
line. Provisions for refunds and conditions of forfeiture of fees are described in the “Withdrawal”
section below.
Veteran Affairs
The fee for the CFP ® Certification examination is eligible for Veteran Affairs (VA) reimbursement
through the license and Certification Approval System (lACAS) under United States Code Title 38,
Chapter 3689. Go to www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/lcweb.htm (licensing and Certification section) for
more information.
Scheduling Confirmation
Upon acceptance of your exam application, you will be sent confirmation of your exam registration.
You can also confirm your exam status with CFP Board at www.CFP.net/login.
You will be sent an admission ticket by e-mail approximately two weeks before the exam date.The
exact time and location of the exam are printed on the ticket.You must bring the ticket with you to the
exam on both days. In general, you must report to the testing facility by 12:30 p.m. on Friday and 8:30
a.m. on Saturday. A government-issued photo Id, matching the name under which you registered, must
be presented at the exam center.
Withdrawal
If you are unable to take the CFP® Certification examination for which you have registered, you have the fol-
lowing options:
1. Withdraw from the exam and re-register for a later exam, paying a $50 re-registration fee.
2. Withdraw from the exam and request a refund of the refundable portion of your exam fee
($50 of the exam fee is non-refundable).
You may withdraw from the exam and immediately re-register or request a refund, or you may maintain
a credit with CFP Board of the refundable portion of your exam fee and re-register or request a refund
up to 24 months from the date of the exam for which you last registered. If you fail to re-register
or request a refund within this 24-month period, the entire exam fee will be forfeited.
The refundable portion of your exam fee is the amount of the exam fee, less the $50 non-refundable
fee.
CFP Board must receive requests for withdrawal from the exam no later than 5:00 p.m. eastern Time
on the withdrawal date listed for the CFP® Certification examination for which you have registered. Go to
www.CFP.net/become for exam dates, application details and withdrawal deadlines.
Requests for withdrawal or re-scheduling received after posted withdrawal deadlines will
not be honored, and the entire exam fee will be forfeited.
Failure to Appear
If you fail to appear for the exam, you will forfeit the entire exam fee. Certain allowances are made for
medical or other emergencies.
Medical or Other Emergencies
CFP Board will consider waiving the fee forfeiture in case of a medical emergency.Your request for
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such a waiver must be made in writing and supported by verifying documentation from a physician,
which clearly states that you are physically unable to appear for the exam due to personal or immedi-
ate family medical issues.Your request must be received within 10 business days after the exam dates.
requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. requests received after the 10 business day time-
frame, or not supported by verifying documentation, will not be reviewed.
What to Bring to the Exam
You should bring the following items to the exam site:
• Admission ticket
• Government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, matching the name under
which you registered
• #2 pencils (or other comparable soft graphite or mechanical pencils)
• One or more battery-powered, hand-held financial function calculator(s)*
Food or drink (including water) is not permitted in the exam room. Individuals who require access to food
during any of the exam sessions may bring a small snack to be consumed outside of the exam room.All
exam sites provide access to water fountains located outside of the exam room.
The exam booklets will contain other needed information, such as income tax rate tables for individu-
als, corporations and estates and trusts; income tax standard deductions, phaseout thresholds for
itemized deductions and personal exemptions; the estate and gift tax table and a table of applicable
credit amounts; investment formulas; and scratch paper.The investment formulas provided in each test
booklet are listed on page 28.
Misconduct
You will be expected to conduct yourself in an ethical manner before, during and after the CFP®
Certification examination. Actions such as, but not limited to, using any prohibited aids in connection
with the exam, attempting to give or receive assistance, or otherwise communicate in any form with
another person about the exam during the exam administration, will result in investigation by an inde-
pendent entity and/or CFP Board. In some cases, CFP Board may take disciplinary action, if appropriate.
If you are found to have demonstrated exam misconduct, your exam may not be scored, the exam fee
may be forfeited and you may be barred from taking any CFP Board exam for three years from the
date of the incident.
Before taking the exam you will sign a statement prohibiting you from sharing exam questions with any
entity other than CFP Board. revealing questions may result in disciplinary action including, but not lim-
ited to, monetary restitution, being permanently barred from taking any CFP Board exam or
prosecution under copyright law. If a review course provider or academic program asks you to reveal
specific questions - as opposed to a general impression of the exam and strengths/deficiencies in that
provider's program - please report the incident to CFP Board.
*You will need a financial calculator with an internal rate of return (IRR) function for problems with unequal periodic cash flows. Calculators with alpha-
betic keys and/or paper-tape printing capabilities will not be permitted. Calculators must be cleared of all programmed formulas prior to each section of
the exam, and no programming functions on the calculator may be used during the exam. Calculators are subject to inspection by proctors, and violation
of this policy will result in removal from the exam room and forfeiture of the exam registration fee.
Set up a free account at www.CFP.net/account to apply for the exam and get important updates
on exam information.
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SCOrInG
Answers to the exam questions must be recorded on the answer sheet. no credit is given for answers noted in the
exam booklet. Select only one answer for each question. Multiple responses to a single question will be scored as incor-
rect. Your score is based on the number of correctly answered questions.
Exam Results
exam results are released approximately eight weeks after the exam date and are delivered via first
class mail. Approximately one week after the results are mailed, exam results will also be made avail-
able through CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/login (you will need to log in to access your
personal results).
neither CFP Board nor Prometric will disclose exam results over the phone, by fax or by e-mail. All
exam books are the property of CFP Board and will not be returned to you.
Pass Score
The CFP® Certification examination is a pass or fail exam.The primary goal of a certification exam is to
separate those who have met the certification standard (passing) from those who have not (failing).
Certification exams are generally constructed to provide the best precision at the passing point.They
are not designed to rank-order candidates.Therefore, rank-ordering scores in a fashion that would sug-
gest the degree to which a candidate failed (or passed) would be an inappropriate use of test results.
The method used to score your exam (a modified Angoff method) is in accordance with voluntary cer-
tification examination standards. establishing the pass score is based upon a "criterion-referenced"
rather than "norm-referenced" methodology.The norm-referenced methodology, which is common in
the academic world, uses a bell curve to establish the "average" score needed to pass the exam.
Whether you pass or fail a norm-referenced exam depends on your relative standing in comparison to
the other test takers.
In contrast, the criterion-referenced methodology does not rely on a bell curve.Your performance will
not be ranked in comparison to others taking the test. Instead, your performance is scored against an
established level of competency. Also, although every effort is made to calibrate test difficulty level in
advance, there always will be slight differences in the overall ease or difficulty of one exam as compared
with another. So, before the minimum passing score is set for this exam it will be statistically equated
with past exams.This means that you will be not be advantaged if this exam is easier than past exams,
nor will you be disadvantaged if it is more difficult.
If you fail the exam, you will receive feedback on the major content areas where your test performance
was below the minimum competency level. Scores, percentages or grades are not provided on this
exam.
re-exAMInATIOn PrOCedUreS
If you fail the CFP® Certification examination and elect to retest, you are required to retake the entire exam.There is
no limit on the number of times you may retake the exam.You will have to pay the current exam fee for each retake.
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reVIeW And APPeAlS
For security reasons, exam material is not available for review. neither the staff of Prometric nor of CFP Board will dis-
cuss specific exam questions.You may submit your comments about exam questions in writing via email to
[email protected] or by mail to:
CFP Board
ATTN: Exam Administrator
1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
All comments about exam questions must be received by CFP Board by midnight eastern time on the Wednesday fol-
lowing the exam dates in order to be considered and reviewed. CFP Board's Council on examinations will review
comments relating to the exam but will not make written responses to comments.
If you feel your answer sheet was scored incorrectly, you may request a hand scoring for a $40 fee. Submit a request to
CFP Board by calling 800-487-1497 within 10 business days of the online release of the exam results. requests made
after the 10 business days will not be honored. In the event there is a discrepancy between the hand-scored and
machine-scored results, hand-scored results will prevail.
Appeals of exam policies are handled by CFP Board's Council on examinations, which meets three times a year. Specific
requests for appeals must be made in writing and addressed to the Council on examinations in care of CFP Board.
Appeals will be reviewed by the Council on examinations at its regularly scheduled meetings.
exAM reVIeW COUrSe PrOVIderS
CFP Board does not assess the quality, nor does it endorse or recommend any one of the courses or its materials.
review course providers' performance ratios are not available from CFP Board.
When seeking review courses or study materials for the CFP® Certification examination, consider asking the following
questions of the provider:
• do key personnel have the backgrounds required to develop and maintain the course? Is a CFP® cer-
tificant involved in the development and maintenance of the course material?
• How do I sign up, receive materials, ask questions or access faculty? does the provider have written
complaint policies/procedures?
• does the provider offer a live review course, and is there one scheduled in my area?
• What is the cost of the course and materials; dates of availability; cost of updates, if any?
• does the provider possess the organizational and financial resources to carry out its program on a
continuing basis?
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Topic list for CFP® Certification examination

The Topic list for CFP® Certification examination, based on the 2004 Job Analysis Study, is the basis for the CFP®
Certification examinations. each exam question will be linked to one of the following topics, in the approximate per-
centages indicated following the general headings. Questions will pertain to all levels in Bloom's taxonomy with an
emphasis on the higher cognitive levels. Questions often will be asked in the context of the financial planning process
and presented in an integrative format.
In addition to being used for the CFP® Certification examination, this list indicates topic coverage requirements to fulfill
the pre-certification educational requirement. Continuing education (Ce) programs and materials that address these
topics will be eligible for CFP Board Ce credit.
(references to sections (§) in this list refer to sections of the Internal revenue Code)
First Test date: november 2006
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF B. Content of each series A. Funding

FINANCIAL PLANNING (11%) C. enforcement through Disciplinary Rules 1) needs analysis
and Procedures 2) Tax credits/adjustments/deductions
1. Financial planning process
4. Financial statements 3) Funding strategies
A. Purpose, benefits, and components
A. Personal 4) Ownership of assets
B. Steps
1) Statement of financial position 5) Vehicles
1) establishing client-planner relation-
ships 2) Statement of cash flow a) Qualified tuition programs
(§529 plans)
2) Gathering client data and determin- B. Business
ing goals and expectations b) Coverdell education Savings
1) Balance sheet Accounts
3) determining the client's financial 2) Income statement
status by analyzing and evaluating c) Uniform Transfers to Minors
general financial status, special 3) Statement of cash flows Act (UTMA) and Uniform Gifts
needs, insurance and risk manage- 4) Pro forma statements to Minors Act (UGMA)
ment, investments, taxation, accounts
employee benefits, retirement, 5. Cash flow management d) Savings bonds
and/or estate planning A. Budgeting B. Financial aid
4) developing and presenting the B. emergency fund planning
financial plan 9. Financial planning for special circumstances
C. debt management ratios
5) Implementing the financial plan A. divorce
1) Consumer debt
6) Monitoring the financial plan B. disability
2) Housing costs
C. responsibilities C. Terminal illness
3) Total debt
1) Financial planner d. non-traditional families
d. Savings strategies
2) Client e. Job change and job loss
3) Other advisors 6. Financing strategies F. dependents with special needs
A. long-term vs. short-term debt G. Monetary windfalls
2. CFP Board's Code of ethics and Professional
B. Secured vs. unsecured debt
responsibility and rules of Conduct 10. economic concepts
C. Buy vs. lease/rent
A. Introduction A. Supply and demand
d. Mortgage financing
1) Contents B. Fiscal policy
1) Conventional vs. adjustable-rate
2) Terminology C. Monetary policy
mortgage (ArM)
B. Code of Ethics and Professional d. economic indicators
2) Home equity loan and line of
Responsibility
credit e. Business cycles
1) Principle 1 - Integrity
3) refinancing cost-benefit analysis F. Inflation, deflation, and stagflation
2) Principle 2 - Objectivity
4) reverse mortgage G. Yield curve
3) Principle 3 - Competence
4) Principle 4 - Fairness 7. Function, purpose, and regulation of financial 11. Time value of money concepts and
5) Principle 5 - Confidentiality institutions calculations
6) Principle 6 - Professionalism A. Present value
7) Principle 7 - diligence A. Banks B. Future value
C. Rules of Conduct B. Credit unions C. Ordinary annuity and annuity due
d. enforcement through Disciplinary Rules C. Brokerage companies d. net present value (nPV)
and Procedures d. Insurance companies e. Internal rate of return (Irr)
e. Mutual fund companies F. Uneven cash flows
3. CFP Board's Financial Planning Practice F. Trust companies
Standards G. Serial payments
A. Purpose and applicability 8. education planning 12. Financial services regulations and require-
Rev. 2010/05
20
ments 1) Homeowners insurance A. life insurance

A. registration and licensing 2) Auto insurance B. disability income insurance
B. reporting 3) Umbrella liability insurance C. long-term care insurance
C. Compliance B. Business d. Health insurance
d. State securities and insurance laws 1) Commercial property insurance e. Property insurance
2) Commercial liability insurance F. liability insurance
13. Business law
a) Auto liability
A. Contracts 25. Insurance policy and company selection
b) Umbrella liability
B. Agency A. Purpose of coverage
c) Professional liability
C. Fiduciary liability B. duration of coverage
d) directors and officers liability
C. Participating or non-participating
14. Consumer protection laws e) Workers' compensation and
employers liability d. Cost-benefit analysis
A. Bankruptcy
e. Company selection
B. Fair credit reporting laws 18. Health insurance and health care cost man- 1) Industry ratings
C. Privacy policies agement (individual)
2) Underwriting
d. Identity theft protection A. Hospital, surgical, and physicians'
expense insurance 26. Annuities
B. Major medical insurance and A. Types
INSURANCE PLANNING AND calculation of benefits B. Uses
RISK MANAGEMENT (14%) C. Continuance and portability C. Taxation
15. Principles of risk and insurance d. Medicare
A. definitions e. Taxation of premiums and benefits
B. Concepts EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
19. disability income insurance (individual)
1) Peril PLANNING (8%)
A. definitions of disability
2) Hazard B. Benefit period 27. Group life insurance
3) law of large numbers C. elimination period A. Types and basic provisions
4) Adverse selection d. Benefit amount 1) Group term
5) Insurable risks e. Provisions 2) Group permanent
6) Self-insurance F. Taxation of premiums and benefits 3) dependent coverage
C. risk management process B. Income tax implications
d. response to risk 20. long-term care insurance (individual) C. employee benefit analysis and application
1) risk control A. eligibility d. Conversion analysis
a) risk avoidance B. Services covered
C. Medicare limitations 28. Group disability insurance
b) risk diversification
d. Benefit period A. Types and basic provisions
c) risk reduction
e. elimination period 1) Short-term coverage
2) risk financing
F. Benefit amount 2) long-term coverage
a) risk retention
G. Provisions B. definitions of disability
b) risk transfer
H. Taxation of premiums and benefits C. Income tax implications
e. legal aspects of insurance
d. employee benefit analysis and application
1) Principle of indemnity 21. life insurance (individual) e. Integration with other income
2) Insurable interest A. Concepts and personal uses
3) Contract requirements B. Policy types 29. Group medical insurance
4) Contract characteristics C. Contractual provisions A. Types and basic provisions
5) Policy ownership d. dividend options 1) Traditional indemnity
6) designation of beneficiary e. nonforfeiture options 2) Managed care plans
F. Settlement options a) Preferred provider organization
16. Analysis and evaluation of risk exposures (PPO)
A. Personal G. lllustrations
b) Health maintenance organiza-
1) death H. Policy replacement
tion (HMO)
2) disability I. Viatical and life settlements
c) Point-of-service (POS)
3) Poor health 22. Income taxation of life insurance B. Income tax implications
4) Unemployment A. dividends C. employee benefit analysis and application
5) Superannuation B. Withdrawals and loans d. COBrA/HIPAA provisions
B. Property C. death benefits e. Continuation
1) real d. Modified endowment contracts F. Savings accounts
2) Personal (MeCs) 1) Health savings account (HSA)
3) Auto e. Transfer-for-value 2) Archer medical savings account
C. liability F. §1035 exchanges (MSA)
1) negligence 3) Health reimbursement arrangement
2) Intentional torts 23. Business uses of insurance (HrA)
3) Strict liability A. Buy-sell agreements
d. Business-related B. Key employee life insurance
C. Split-dollar life insurance 30. Other employee benefits
17. Property, casualty and liability insurance d. Business overhead expense insurance A. §125 cafeteria plans and flexible spend-
A. Individual ing accounts (FSAs)
24. Insurance needs analysis
Rev. 2010/05
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B. Fringe benefits C. Income tax implications conduits (reMICs)

C. Voluntary employees' beneficiary associ- 1) Constructive receipt H. Alternative investments
ation (VeBA) 2) Substantial risk of forfeiture 1) derivatives
d. Prepaid legal services 3) economic benefit doctrine a) Puts
e. Group long-term care insurance d. Funding methods b) Calls
F. dental insurance e. Strategies c) long-term equity AnticiPation
G. Vision insurance Securities (leAPS®)
d) Futures
31. employee stock options
A. Basic provisions
INVESTMENT PLANNING (19%) e) Warrants and rights
2) Tangible assets
1) Company restrictions 34. Characteristics, uses and taxation of invest-
ment vehicles a) Collectibles
2) Transferability
A. Cash and equivalents b) natural resources
3) exercise price
1) Certificates of deposit c) Precious metals
4) Vesting
5) expiration 2) Money market funds 35. Types of investment risk
6) Cashless exercise 3) Treasury bills A. Systematic/market/nondiversifiable
B. Incentive stock options (ISOs) 4) Commercial paper B. Purchasing power
1) Income tax implications (regular, 5) Banker's acceptances C. Interest rate
AMT, basis) 6) eurodollars d. Unsystematic/nonmarket/diversifiable
a) Upon grant B. Individual bonds e. Business
b) Upon exercise 1) U.S. Government bonds and agency F. Financial
c) Upon sale securities
G. liquidity and marketability
2) Holding period requirements a) Treasury notes and bonds
H. reinvestment
3) disqualifying dispositions b) Treasury STrIPS
I. Political (sovereign)
4) Planning opportunities and strate- c) Treasury inflation-protection
securities (TIPS) J. exchange rate
gies
d) Series ee, HH, and I bonds K. Tax
C. non-qualified stock options (nSOs)
e) Mortgage-backed securities l. Investment manager
1) Income tax implications (regular,
AMT, basis) 2) Zero-coupon bonds 36. Quantitative investment concepts
a) Upon grant 3) Municipal bonds A. distribution of returns
b) Upon exercise a) General obligation 1) normal distribution
c) Upon sale b) revenue 2) lognormal distribution
2) Gifting opportunities 4) Corporate bonds 3) Skewness
a) Unvested/vested a) Mortgage bond 4) Kurtosis
b) exercised/unexercised b) debenture
c) Gift tax valuation c) Investment grade B. Correlation coefficient
d) Payment of gift tax d) High-yield C. Coefficient of determination (r2)
3) Planning opportunities and strate- e) Convertible d. Coefficient of variation
gies f) Callable e. Standard deviation
4) employee benefits analysis and 5) Foreign bonds F. Beta
application C. Promissory notes G. Covariance
d. Individual stocks H. Semivariance
d. Planning strategies for employees with 1) Common
both incentive stock options and non- 37. Measures of investment returns
qualified stock options 2) Preferred
3) American depositary receipts A. Simple vs. compound return
e. election to include in gross income in
the year of transfer (§83(b) election) (Adrs) B. Geometric average vs. arithmetic aver-
e. Pooled and managed investments age return
32. Stock plans 1) exchange-traded funds (eTFs) C. Time-weighted vs. dollar-weighted
A. Types and basic provisions return
2) Unit investment trusts
1) restricted stock d. real (inflation-adjusted) vs. nominal
3) Mutual funds
return
2) Phantom stock 4) Closed-end investment companies
e. Total return
3) Stock appreciation rights(SArs) 5) Index securities
F. risk-adjusted return
4) employee stock purchase plan 6) Hedge funds
(eSPP) G. Holding period return
7) limited partnerships
B. Income tax implications H. Internal rate of return (Irr)
8) Privately managed accounts
C. employee benefit analysis and application I. Yield-to-maturity
9) Separately managed accounts
d. election to include in gross income in J. Yield-to-call
the year of transfer (§83(b) election) F. Guaranteed investment contracts
K. Current yield
(GICs)
l. Taxable equivalent yield (TeY)
33. non-qualified deferred compensation G. real estate
A. Basic provisions and differences from 1) Investor-managed 38. Bond and stock valuation concepts
qualified plans 2) real estate investment trusts A. Bond duration and convexity
B. Types of plans and applications (reITs) B. Capitalized earnings
1) Salary reduction plans C. dividend growth models
2) Salary continuation plans 3) real estate limited partnerships d. ratio analysis
3) rabbi trusts (relPs)
1) Price/earnings
4) Secular trusts 4) real estate mortgage investment
2) Price/free cash flow
Rev. 2010/05
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3) Price/sales sis A. entity types

4) Price/earnings ÷ growth (PeG) 2) Client risk tolerance measurement 1) Sole proprietorship
e. Book value and application 2) Partnerships
3) Asset class definition and correla- 3) limited liability company (llC)
39. Investment theory tion
4) Corporations
A. Modern portfolio theory (MPT) B. rebalancing
5) Trust
1) Capital market line (CMl) C. Tactical asset allocation
6) Association
a) Mean-variance optimization d. Control of volatility
B. Taxation at entity and owner level
b) efficient frontier e. Strategies for dealing with concentrated
portfolios 1) Formation
2) Security market line (SMl)
2) Flow through of income and losses
B. efficient market hypothesis (eMH)
43. Asset pricing models 3) Special taxes
1) Strong form
A. Capital asset pricing model (CAPM) 4) distributions
2) Semi-strong form
B. Arbitrage pricing theory (APT) 5) dissolution
3) Weak form
C. Black-Scholes option valuation model 6) disposition
4) Anomalies
d. Binomial option pricing
C. Behavioral finance 49. Income taxation of trusts and estates
A. General issues
40. Portfolio development and analysis
INCOME TAX PLANNING (14%) 1) Filing requirements
A. Fundamental analysis
2) deadlines
1) Top-down analysis 44. Income tax law fundamentals
3) Choice of taxable year
2) Bottom-up analysis A. Types of authority
4) Tax treatment of distributions to
3) ratio analysis 1) Primary beneficiaries
a) liquidity ratios 2) Secondary 5) rate structure
b) Activity ratios B. research sources B. Grantor/nongrantor trusts
c) Profitability ratios C. Simple/Complex trusts
45. Tax compliance
d) debt ratios d. revocable/Irrevocable trusts
A. Filing requirements
B. Technical analysis e. Trust income
B. Audits
1) Charting 1) Trust accounting income
C. Penalties
2) Sentiment indicators 2) Trust taxable income
3) Flow of funds indicators 46. Income tax fundamentals and calculations 3) distributable net income (dnI)
4) Market structure indicators A. Filing status F. estate income tax
C. Investment policy statements B. Gross income
d. Appropriate benchmarks 1) Inclusions 50. Basis
e. Probability analysis, including Monte 2) exclusions A. Original basis
Carlo 3) Imputed income B. Adjusted basis
F. Tax efficiency C. Adjustments C. Amortization and accretion
1) Turnover d. Standard/Itemized deductions d. Basis of property received by gift and in
2) Timing of capital gains and losses nontaxable transactions
1) Types
3) Wash sale rule e. Basis of inherited property (community
2) limitations and non-community property)
4) Qualified dividends e. Personal and dependency exemptions
5) Tax-free income F. Taxable income 51. depreciation/cost-recovery concepts
G. Performance measures G. Tax liability A. Modified Accelerated Cost recovery
1) Sharpe ratio System (MACrS)
1) rate schedule
2) Treynor ratio B. expensing policy
2) Kiddie tax
3) Jensen ratio C. §179 deduction
3) Self-employment tax
4) Information ratio d. Amortization
H. Tax credits
e. depletion
41. Investment strategies I. Payment of tax
A. Market timing 1) Withholding 52. Tax consequences of like-kind exchanges
B. Passive investing (indexing) 2) estimated payments A. reporting requirements
C. Buy and hold B. Qualifying transactions
47. Tax accounting
d. Portfolio immunization C. liabilities
A. Accounting periods
e. Swaps and collars d. Boot
B. Accounting methods
F. Formula investing e. related party transactions
1) Cash receipts and disbursements
1) dollar cost averaging 2) Accrual method 53. Tax consequences of the disposition of prop-
2) dividend reinvestment plans 3) Hybrid method erty
(drIPs)
4) Change in accounting method A. Capital assets (§1221)
3) Bond ladders, bullets, and barbells
C. long-term contracts B. Holding period
G. Use of leverage (margin)
d. Installment sales C. Sale of residence
H. Short selling
e. Inventory valuation and flow methods d. depreciation recapture
I. Hedging and option strategies
F. net operating losses e. related parties
F. Wash sales
G. Bargain sales
42. Asset allocation and portfolio diversification
48. Characteristics and income taxation of busi- H. Section 1244 stock (small business stock
A. Strategic asset allocation ness entities election)
1) Application of client lifecycle analy-
Rev. 2010/05
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I. Installment sales d. Straight-line returns vs. probability analy- d. Top-heavy plans

J. Involuntary conversions sis 1) definition
e. Pure annuity vs. capital preservation 2) Key employee
54. Alternative minimum tax (AMT) F. Alternatives to compensate for pro- 3) Vesting
A. Mechanics jected cash-flow shortfalls
4) effects on contributions or benefits
B. Preferences and adjustments
60. Social Security (Old Age, Survivor, and e. loans from qualified plans
C. exclusion items vs. deferral items disability Insurance, OASdI)
d. Credit: creation, usage, and limitations A. Paying into the system 63. Other tax-advantaged retirement plans
e. Application to businesses and trusts B. eligibility and benefit A. Types and basic provisions
F. Planning strategies 1) retirement 1) Traditional IrA
2) disability 2) roth IrA, including conversion
55. Tax reduction/management techniques analysis
A. Tax credits 3) Survivor
3) SeP
B. Accelerated deductions 4) Family limitations
4) SIMPle
C. deferral of income C. How benefits are calculated
5) §403(b) plans
d. Intra-family transfers d. Working after retirement
6) §457 plans
e. Taxation of benefits
56. Passive activity and at-risk rules 7) Keogh (Hr-10) plans
A. definitions 61. Types of retirement plans
64. regulatory considerations
B. Computations A. Characteristics
A. employee retirement Income Security
C. Treatment of disallowed losses 1) Qualified plans Act (erISA)
d. disposition of passive activities 2) non-qualified plans B. department of labor (dOl) regulations
e. real estate exceptions B. Types and basic provisions of qualified C. Fiduciary liability issues
plans
d. Prohibited transactions
57. Tax implications of special circumstances 1) defined contribution
e. reporting requirements
A. Married/widowed a) Money purchase
1) Filing status b) Target benefit 65. Key factors affecting plan selection for busi-
2) Children c) Profit sharing nesses
3) Community and non-community 1) 401(k) plan A. Owner's personal objectives
property 2) Safe harbor 401(k) plan 1) Tax considerations
B. divorce 3) Age-based plan 2) Capital needs at retirement
1) Alimony 4) Stock bonus plan 3) Capital needs at death
2) Child support 5) employee stock owner- B. Business' objectives
3) Property division ship plan (eSOP) 1) Tax considerations
6) new comparability plan 2) Administrative cost
58. Charitable contributions and deductions
7) Thrift plan 3) Cash flow situation and outlook
A. Qualified entities
2) defined benefit 4) employee demographics
1) Public charities
a) Traditional 5) Comparison of defined contribution
2) Private charities and defined benefit plan alternatives
B. deduction limitations b) Cash balance
C. Carryover periods c) 412(i) plan 66. Investment considerations for retirement
d. Appreciated property plans
62. Qualified plan rules and options A. Suitability
e. non-deductible contributions A. nondiscrimination and eligibility require-
F. Appraisals B. Time horizon
ments
G. Substantiation requirements C. diversification
1) Age and service requirements
H. Charitable contributions by business d. Fiduciary considerations
2) Coverage requirements
entities e. Unrelated business taxable income
3) Minimum participation (UBTI)
4) Highly compensated employee F. life insurance
(HCe)
RETIREMENT PLANNING (19%) G. Appropriate assets for tax-advantaged
5) Permitted vesting schedules vs. taxable accounts
59. retirement needs analysis 6) AdP/ACP testing
A. Assumptions for retirement planning 7) Controlled group 67. distribution rules, alternatives,and taxation
1) Inflation B. Integration with Social Security/disparity A. Premature distributions
2) retirement period and life limits 1) Penalties
expectancy 1) defined benefit plans 2) exceptions to penalties
3) lifestyle 2) defined contribution plans 3) Substantially equal payments
4) Total return C. Factors affecting contributions or bene- (§72(t))
B. Income sources fits B. election of distribution options
C. Financial needs 1) deduction limit (§404(c)) 1) lump sum distributions
1) living costs 2) defined contribution limits 2) Annuity options
2) Charitable and beneficiary gifting 3) defined benefit limit 3) rollover
objectives 4) Annual compensation limit 4) direct transfer
3) Medical costs, including long-term 5) definition of compensation C. required minimum distributions
care needs analysis 6) Multiple plans 1) rules
2) Calculations
4) Other (trust and foundation fund- 7) Special rules for self-employed 3) Penalties
ing, education funding, etc.) (non-corporations) d. Beneficiary considerations/Stretch IrAs
Rev. 2010/05
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6) Marital and charitable deductions 9) Sprinkling provision

e. Qualified domestic relations order 7) Tax liability C. Trust beneficiaries: income and remain-
(QdrO) der
F. Taxation of distributions 73. Incapacity planning d. rule against perpetuities
1) Tax management techniques A. definition of incapacity e. estate and gift taxation
2) net unrealized appreciation (nUA) B. Powers of attorney
1) For health care decisions 78. Qualified interest trusts
2) For asset management A. Grantor retained annuity trusts
(GrATs)
ESTATE PLANNING (15%) 3) durable feature
B. Grantor retained unitrusts (GrUTs)
4) Springing power
68. Characteristics and consequences of prop- C. Qualified personal residence trusts
erty titling 5) General or limited powers
(QPrTs or House-GrITs)
A. Community property vs. non-commu- C. Advance medical directives (e.g. living
d. Valuation of qualified interests
nity property wills)
B. Sole ownership d. Guardianship and conservatorship 79. Charitable transfers
C. Joint tenancy with right of survivorship e. revocable living trust A. Outright gifts
(JTWrOS) F. Medicaid planning B. Charitable remainder trusts
d. Tenancy by the entirety G. Special needs trust 1) Unitrusts (CrUTs)
e. Tenancy in common 2) Annuity trusts(CrATs)
74. estate tax compliance and tax calculation
F. Trust ownership C. Charitable lead trusts
A. estate tax filing requirements
1) Unitrusts (ClUTs)
69. Methods of property transfer at death B. The gross estate
2) Annuity trusts (ClATs)
A. Transfers through the probate process 1) Inclusions
d. Charitable gift annuities
1) Testamentary distribution 2) exclusions
e. Pooled income funds
2) Intestate succession C. deductions
F. Private foundations
3) Advantages and disadvantages of d. Adjusted gross estate
probate G. donor advised funds
e. deductions from the adjusted gross
4) Assets subject to probate estate estate H. estate and gift taxation
5) Probate avoidance strategies F. Taxable estate 80. Use of life insurance in estate planning
6) Ancillary probate administration G. Adjusted taxable gifts A. Incidents of ownership
B. Transfers by operation of law H. Tentative tax base B. Ownership and beneficiary considera-
C. Transfers through trusts I. Tentative tax calculation tions
d. Transfers by contract J. Credits C. Irrevocable life insurance trust (IlIT)
1) Gift tax payable d. estate and gift taxation
70. estate planning documents
2) Applicable credit amount
A. Wills 81. Valuation issues
3) Prior transfer credit
1) legal requirements A. estate freezes
2) Types of wills 75. Sources for estate liquidity 1) Corporate and partnership recapi-
3) Modifying or revoking a will A. Sale of assets talizations (§2701)
4) Avoiding will contests B. life insurance 2) Transfers in trust
B. Powers of Attorney C. loan B. Valuation discounts for business inter-
C. Trusts ests
76. Powers of appointment 1) Minority discounts
d. Marital property agreements
A. Use and purpose 2) Marketability discounts
e. Buy-sell agreements
B. General and special (limited) powers 3) Blockage discounts
71. Gifting strategies 1) 5-and-5 power 4) Key person discounts
A. Inter-vivos gifting 2) Crummey powers C. Valuation techniques and the federal
B. Gift-giving techniques and strategies 3) distributions for an ascertainable gross estate
C. Appropriate gift property standard
4) lapse of power 82. Marital deduction
d. Strategies for closely-held business own-
ers C. Tax implications A. requirements
e. Gifts of present and future interests B. Qualifying transfers
77. Types, features, and taxation of trusts C. Terminable interest rule and exceptions
F. Gifts to non-citizen spouses
A. Classification d. Qualified domestic trust (QdOT)
G. Tax implications
1) Simple and complex
1) Income 83. deferral and minimization of estate taxes
2) revocable and irrevocable
2) Gift A. exclusion of property from the gross
3) Inter-vivos and testamentary
3) estate estate
4) Generation-skipping transfer tax B. lifetime gifting strategies
(GSTT) B. Types and basic provisions
C. Marital deduction and bypass trust plan-
1) Totten trust ning
72. Gift tax compliance and tax calculation 2) Spendthrift trust d. Inter-vivos and testamentary charitable
A. Gift tax filing requirements 3) Bypass trust gifts
B. Calculation 4) Marital trust
1) Annual exclusion 5) Qualified terminable interest prop-
2) Applicable credit amount erty (QTIP) trust
3) Gift splitting 6) Pour-over trust
4) Prior taxable gifts 7) §2503(b) trust 84. Intra-family and other business transfer tech-
8) §2503(c) trust niques
5) education and medical exclusions
Rev. 2010/05
25
A. Characteristics
B. Techniques
1) Buy-sell agreement
2) Installment note
3) Self-canceling installment note
(SCIn)
4) Private annuity
5) Transfers in trust
6) Intra-family loan
7) Bargain sale
8) Gift or sale leaseback
9) Intentionally defective grantor trust
10) Family limited partnership (FlP) or
limited liability company (llC)
C. Federal income, gift, estate, and genera-
tion-skipping transfer tax implications
85. Generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT)

A. Identify transfers subject to the GSTT
1) direct skips
2) Taxable distributions
3) Taxable terminations
B. exemptions and exclusions from the
GSTT
1) The GSTT exemption
2) Qualifying annual exclusion gifts and
direct transfers
86. Fiduciaries
A. Types of fiduciaries
1) executor/Personal representative
2) Trustee
3) Guardian
B. duties of fiduciaries
C. Breach of fiduciary duties
87. Income in respect of a decedent (Ird)

A. Assets qualifying as Ird
B. Calculation for Ird deduction
C. Income tax treatment
88. Postmortem estate planning techniques

A. Alternate valuation date
B. Qualified disclaimer
C. deferral of estate tax (§6166)
d. Corporate stock redemption (§303)
e. Special use valuation (§2032A)
89. estate planning for non-traditional relation-

ships
A. Children of another relationship
B. Cohabitation
C. Adoption
d. Same-sex relationships
Rev. 2010/05
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AddendUM
The following topics are an addendum to the Topic list for the CFP® Certification examination. Although individuals tak-
ing the CFP® Certification examination will not be tested directly over these topics, CFP Board-registered Programs
are strongly encouraged to teach them in their curricula. Continuing education (Ce) programs and materials that
address these topics will be eligible for CFP Board Ce credit.
1. Client and planner attitudes, values, biases 3) Advising e. Attending and listening skills
and behavioral characteristics and the B. essentials in financial counseling 1) Physical attending
impact on financial planning
1) establishing structure 2) Active listening
A. Cultural
2) Creating rapport 3) responding during active listening;
B. Family (e.g. biological; non-traditional) leading responses
3) recognizing resistance
C. emotional F. effective use of questions
C. Characteristics of effective counselors
d. life cycle and age 1) Appropriate types of questions
1) Unconditional positive regard
e. Client's level of knowledge, experience, 2) Ineffective and counterproductive
and expertise 2) Accurate empathy
questioning techniques
F. risk tolerance 3) Genuineness and self-awareness
G. Values-driven planning d. nonverbal behaviors
1) Body positions, movements, and
2. Principles of communication and counseling gestures
A. Types of structured communication 2) Facial expressions and eye contact
1) Interviewing 3) Voice tone and pitch
2) Counseling 4) Interpreting the meaning of nonver-
bal behaviors
Rev. 2010/05
27
PrOVIded FOrMUlAS
The following formulas are provided with the exam booklets when taking the CFP ® Certification examination:
D1
V ri r f (rm r f )E i
rg
D1 § rm r f ·
r g r p r f V p ¨¨ ¸
P
©
V m ¹
¸
r r
COV U ijV iV j Sp p f
ij Vp
Vp W 2V 2 W 2V 2 2W W COV D p r p ª«r f º
§¨ r r ·¸ E »
i i j j i j ij ¬ © m f ¹ p¼
COV U imV i r r
Ei im
Tp p f
Vm
2 Vm Ep
n n ct (t )
¦ (rt r ) 2 ¦ t
1 (1 i)
Vr t 1 D t
n n ct
¦ t
t 1 (1 i)
n
¦ (rt r ) 2
1 y (1 y) t (c y)
S t 1 D
r n 1 y c ª«(1 y)t 1º» y
¬ ¼
Par 'P ª 'y º

CV uP D« »
CP s P ¬1 y ¼
IR R R P B
V A
Rev. 2010/05
28
EXPERIENCE
experience requirement
After you receive confirmation that you have passed the CFP® Certification examination, you will receive instructions
for providing verification that you hold a qualified bachelor’s degree (or higher) and for reporting your work experi-
ence. To expedite CFP Board’s processing of these requirements, please send the appropriate documentation for both
of these requirements in the return envelope provided with your successful exam results.
BACHelOr’S deGree reQUIreMenT

A bachelor's degree (or higher), or its equivalent,1 in any discipline, from an accredited college or university2 is required
to attain CFP® certification.The bachelor's degree requirement is a condition of initial certification; it is not a require-
ment to be eligible to take the CFP® Certification examination.
After you pass the CFP® Certification examination, you will be required to provide evidence (official transcript from the
degree-granting institution) that you hold a qualified bachelor's degree or higher degree. Please send your official tran-
script to CFP Board along with your completed Work experience reporting Form in the return envelope provided with
your successful exam results.
You have five years from the date you pass the CFP® Certification examination to satisfy the bachelor's degree and
work experience requirements. If you have not reported to CFP Board your attainment of an acceptable bachelor's
degree or higher degree within this time frame, your candidacy for CFP® certification may be terminated. A one-time,
three-year extension may be granted on a case-by-case basis. requests for an extension should be sent to CFP Board
by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to 202-379-2299.
WOrK exPerIenCe
Because the CFP® certification indicates to the public your ability to provide financial planning unsupervised, CFP Board
requires you to have some experience in the personal financial planning process. However, CFP Board recognizes the
variety of situations and circumstances in which people participate in the financial planning process and has developed a
work experience requirement to account for this.
After you pass the CFP® Certification examination, you may report your completed work experience to CFP Board
using a Work experience reporting Form, available from CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/become. Please send
your completed Work experience reporting Form to CFP Board along with your official transcript verifying your attain-
ment of a qualified bachelor’s degree in the return envelope provided with your successful exam results.
You have five years from the date you pass the CFP® Certification examination to satisfy the bachelor's degree and
work experience requirements. If you have not reported to CFP Board your attainment of an acceptable bachelor's
degree or higher degree within this time frame, your candidacy for CFP® certification may be terminated. A one-time,
three-year extension may be granted on a case-by-case basis. requests for an extension should be sent to CFP Board
by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to 202-379-2299.
1. establishing and defining the relationship with the Client
This includes explaining the issues and concepts related to the personal financial planning
process.You must specify the services you or your firm will provide and clarify the client’s and
your responsibilities.
2. Gathering Client data Including Goals
data gathering includes interviewing or questioning the client about various aspects of his or
her financial resources, obligations and expectations. during this process, you will need to deter-
mine your client’s goals, needs and priorities; assess your client’s values and attitudes; and deter-
mine the client’s time horizons and risk tolerance. In addition, you will collect applicable client
records and documents.
1
International degrees may be substituted for a U.S. undergraduate degree if they receive equivalency from a third-party evaluation agency
which is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) www.NACES.org. Applicants should request a docu-
ment-by-document evaluation.
2
An "accredited college or university" is one that has been accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education. To confirm a school's accreditation please visit the Department of Education's Web site (ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx).
Rev. 2010/05
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EXPERIENCE
3. Analyzing and evaluating the Client’s Current Financial Status
This process involves analyzing and evaluating client data such as current cash flow needs, risk
management, investments, taxes, retirement, employee benefits, estate planning and/or special
needs.
4. developing and Presenting Financial Planning recommendations and/or Alternatives
Financial planning recommendations should meet the goals and objectives of the client, and
reflect his or her values, situation and risk tolerance.This process includes presenting and
reviewing the recommendations with the client, working with the client to ensure that the plan
meets his or her goals and expectations, and revising the recommendations as necessary.
5. Implementing the Financial Planning recommendations
This is the process of helping the client put the financial planning recommendations into action.
This could include coordinating with other professionals, such as accountants, attorneys, real
estate agents, investment advisers, stock brokers and insurance agents.
6. Monitoring the Financial Planning recommendations
Areas to be monitored or reviewed include the soundness of the recommendations and the
client’s progress.This process also involves discussing with the client any changes in his or her
personal circumstances, evaluating changing tax laws, and making recommendations based on
new or changing conditions.
Experience Definition and Standards
Your experience must comply with the following standards:
• Three years full-time, or the equivalent part-time (2,000 hours equals one year full-time).
• Six months of experience must have been gained within 12 months of reporting your work
experience.
• experience may be gained up to 10 years before or up to five years after the exam date.The
bachelor’s degree and experience requirements must be fulfilled within five years of passing the
CFP ® Certification examination. If these requirements are not completed within this time frame,
your candidacy for CFP ® certification may be terminated. A one-time, three-year extension may
be granted on a case-by-case basis. requests for an extension should be sent to CFP Board by
e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to 202-379-2299.
Internships/Residency Programs
Financial planning-related internships completed at a CFP Board-registered Program are eligible for
credit toward the experience requirement at the rate of one month of experience for each college
semester credit. residency programs completed through the Financial Planning Association (FPA) are
eligible for credit toward the experience requirement at the rate of three months of experience credit
per residency program. Credit will be granted for internships and/or residency programs completed
within 10 years before and five years after the successful completion of the CFP ® Certification
examination.
Verification of Experience
After you pass the CFP ® Certification examination, you will receive instructions for reporting your
experience on the Work experience reporting Form available on CFP Board’s Web site at
www.CFP.net/become. Please note that it may take up to 20 business days from the date CFP Board
receives the form for the information to be entered into your records and processed.You will receive
an e-mail notification from CFP Board when the form has been processed and/or if CFP Board has
questions related to your form.
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EXPERIENCE
Work experience information provided to CFP Board is subject to random audit. erroneous informa-
tion could jeopardize your authorization to use the CFP® marks.
While the CFP® certification requirements may be changed from time to time, you will be expected to
meet the requirements that are in place at the time of your most recent application for the CFP ®
Certification examination.Therefore, CFP Board cannot confirm the suitability of your work experience
before you pass the exam.
Pre-CerTIFICATIOn COnTInUInG edUCATIOn

If you do not complete the CFP® certification process within 12 months of passing the CFP ® Certification examination,
you begin to accrue a continuing education (Ce) requirement at a rate of 15 Ce hours per year (1.25 Ce hours per
month.) This accrual begins 13 months after passing the exam and continues until the work experience and bachelor’s
degree requirements have been fulfilled. If you have begun to accrue a pre-certification Ce requirement, you may
report Ce hours online by logging in to your CFP Board account at www.CFP.net/login.
Visit www.CFP.net/become/work_prece.asp for a Q&A section on the pre-certification Ce

requirement.
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EXPERIENCE
WOrK exPerIenCe FreQUenTlY ASKed QUeSTIOnS
Q 1. WHen dO I rePOrT MY WOrK exPerIenCe TO CFP BOArd?

A After you pass the CFP Certification examination, you will receive instructions for reporting your experience on
®
the Work experience reporting Form available on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/become. Please note that
it may take up to 20 business days from the date CFP Board receives the form for the information to be entered
into your records and processed.You will receive an e-mail notification from CFP Board when the form has been
processed and/or if CFP Board has questions related to your form.
Q 2. HOW IS PArT-TIMe eMPlOYMenT CredITed TOWArd THe reQUIreMenT?

A The number of part-time hours will be converted into a full-time equivalent and applied to the overall balance of the
requirement. 2,000 hours equals one year of full-time experience.
Q 3. IFCAn
I WOrK FUll-TIMe In A FInAnCIAl PlAnnInG relATed POSITIOn And AlSO WOrK PArT-TIMe,
I ACCelerATe THe COMPleTIOn OF THe reQUIreMenT?
A no. Concurrent part- and full-time financial planning employment will not accelerate completion of the requirement.
Q 4. IFreQUIreMenT?
I WOrK MOre THAn 2,000 HOUrS Per YeAr, CAn I ACCelerATe THe COMPleTIOn OF THe
A no. Additional credit for full-time employment will not be granted for hours in excess of 40 hours per week.
Q 5. HOW IS A POrTIOn OF A JOB CredITed TOWArdS THe reQUIreMenT?
A Portions of a job may be credited towards this requirement on an hourly basis just like part-time employment. As an
example, the majority of your job (30 hours per week) is spent working as a home office representative processing
paperwork. However, ten hours a week are spent consulting with individual clients.The ten hours a week can be accrued
and credited towards the requirement.
Q 6. WHAT IF I dO nOT HAVe AnY releVAnT exPerIenCe? CAn I STIll SIT FOr THe CFP
exAMInATIOn?
®
CerTIFICATIOn
A Yes.The required years of work experience do not need to be completed prior to the exam. Individuals have up to five
years from the time they pass the exam to complete the experience requirement if necessary.
Q 7. IF I AM MAKInG A CAreer CHAnGe, HOW dO I GO ABOUT OBTAInInG APPrOPrIATe exPerIenCe?

A Qualifying work experience may be earned through many different types of practices and firms. Applicants for CFP certi-
fication often choose to establish a private practice, either by themselves or in conjunction with other planners. Some
®
planners work for banks, credit unions, insurance companies, accounting or law firms, credit counseling organizations and
brokerage firms. Or, they may choose a career in academia, teaching personal financial planning to other interested stu-
dents.
Q 8. STIll
WHAT CAn I CAll MYSelF OnCe I HAVe PASSed THe CFP
COMPleTInG MY exPerIenCe reQUIreMenT?
®
CerTIFICATIOn exAMInATIOn BUT AM
A Only those individuals who have fully satisfied CFP Board’s requirements are authorized to use the CFP® certification
marks. Until that time, you can only use the CFP® marks to refer to the certification process. For example, you may say
that you are a “candidate for CFP ® certification” or “working toward obtaining CFP ® certification.” Use of the term “CFP ®
candidate” is an improper use of the CFP® marks and is prohibited.
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ETHICS
ethics requirement
The final component of the initial CFP ® certification process is the ethics requirement. CFP® certification requires you
to agree to adhere to CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning
Practice Standards and to acknowledge CFP Board’s right to enforce them through its Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. By
signing the CFP® Certification Application, individuals agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct
and Practice Standards.This demonstrates to the public that you have agreed to provide personal financial planning in the
client’s best interest and to act in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards for the practice of
financial planning.
Before being authorized to use the CFP® certification marks, and each time you renew your certification, you must dis-
close whether you have ever been involved in any criminal, civil, self-regulatory organization or governmental agency
inquiry, investigation or proceeding.You must also acknowledge the right of CFP Board to enforce its Code of Ethics,
Rules of Conduct and Practice Standards through its Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.
Please be aware that, if you disclose matters on your CFP® Certification Application, or if CFP Board discovers that you
have been involved in matters that may or will bar you from obtaining certification, pursuant to CFP Board’s Candidate
Fitness Standards, or that may indicate a violation of the Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Practice Standards, your certi-
fication may be delayed pending CFP Board’s review of the matters. Additionally, if the matters involve serious
misconduct, including, but not limited to the matters presumed to bar certification outlined in the Candidate Fitness
Standards, CFP Board reserves the right to permanently deny you the right to obtain the CFP® certification. All such
ethics reviews will be conducted in accordance with CFP Board’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.
CAndIdATe FITneSS STAndArdS
CFP Board has developed character and fitness standards for candidates for certification to ensure an individual’s con-
duct does not reflect adversely on his or her fitness as a candidate for CFP® certification, or upon the profession or the
CFP® certification marks. CFP Board determined that such standards would also benefit individuals who are interested
in attaining CFP® certification, as many candidates have indicated that if they had known that their prior conduct would
bar or delay their certification, they would not have sat for the CFP® Certification examination.These Candidate Fitness
Standards became effective on January 1, 2007.
The following conduct is unacceptable and will always bar an individual from becoming certified:
• Felony conviction for theft, embezzlement or other financially-based crimes.
• Felony conviction for tax fraud or other tax-related crimes.
• revocation of a financial (e.g. registered securities representative, broker/dealer, insurance, accountant,
investment advisor, financial planner) professional license, unless the revocation is administrative in
nature, i.e. the result of the individual determining not to renew the license by not paying the required
fees.
• Felony conviction for any degree of murder or rape.
• Felony conviction for any other violent crime within the last five years.
• Two or more personal or business bankruptcies.
The following conduct is presumed to be unacceptable and will bar an individual from becoming certified
unless the individual petitions the disciplinary and ethics Commission for reconsideration:
• One personal or business bankruptcy filed within the last five years.
• More than one judgment lien.
• revocation or suspension of a non-financial professional (e.g. real estate, attorney) license, unless the
revocation is administrative in nature, i.e. the result of the individual determining not to renew the
license by not paying the required fees.
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ETHICS
• Suspension of a financial professional (e.g. registered securities representative, broker/dealer, insurance,

accountant, investment advisor, financial planner) license, unless the suspension is administrative in
nature, i.e. the result of the individual determining not to renew the license by not paying the required
fees.
• Felony conviction for non-violent crimes (including perjury) within the last five years.
• Felony conviction for violent crimes other than murder or rape that occurred more than five years
ago.
Other matters that very rarely result in the delay or denial of certification will continue to be reviewed by staff
and the disciplinary and ethics Commission under the current procedures, after the candidate has successfully
completed the education, examination and experience requirements for certification.These include customer complaints,
arbitrations and other civil proceedings, felony convictions for non-violent crimes that occurred more than five years ago
misdemeanor convictions, and employer reviews and terminations. CFP Board will continue to require candidates for
CFP® certification to disclose certain matters on the ethics portion of the Initial Certification Application.
Petitions for Reconsideration
Individuals who have a transgression that falls under the “presumption” list must petition the disciplinary
and ethics Commission for reconsideration and a determination whether their conduct will bar certifica-
tion. The basic process for these reviews will be:
1. The individual will submit a written petition for reconsideration to Professional review staff and sign a
form agreeing to CFP Board's jurisdiction to consider the matter.
2. Staff will review the request to ensure the transgression falls within the “presumption” list.
3. If the transgression does not fall within the “presumption” list, i.e. falls in the “always bar” list, staff will
so notify the individual.
4. If the transgression falls within the “presumption” list, staff will request all relevant documentation
from the individual.A fee will be charged all candidates submitting a reconsideration request.
5. All of the relevant information will be provided to the disciplinary and ethics Commission for a deter-
mination.
The disciplinary and ethics Commission may make one of the following decisions regarding a petition for
reconsideration:
• Grant the petition after determining the conduct does not reflect adversely on the individual's fitness
as a candidate for CFP® certification, or upon the profession or the CFP® certification marks, and cer-
tification should be permitted; or
• deny the petition after determining the conduct does reflect adversely on the individual's fitness as a
candidate for CFP® certification, or upon the profession or the CFP® certification marks, and certifica-
tion should be barred.
The disciplinary and ethics Commission's decision regarding a petition for reconsideration is final and may
not be appealed, unless the relevant professional revocation or suspension is vacated or the relevant felony
conviction is overturned, at which time the individual may submit a new petition.
VerIFICATIOn OF dATA
CFP Board may verify your employment record, qualifications and disciplinary history through FInrA’s Central
registration depository (Crd). All disciplinary information obtained will be reviewed by CFP Board.The length of the
review process varies depending on the circumstances being investigated, and may take anywhere from several weeks to
one year. In general, you will not be authorized to use the CFP® marks during CFP Board’s review process.
If you have questions about the effect of any of your past or pending disciplinary actions, or your authorization to use
the CFP® marks, contact CFP Board at 800-487-1497 or [email protected]. Because of changing codes or regu-
Rev. 2010/05
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ETHICS
lations and the fact that every situation contains unique variables, CFP Board cannot provide you with an advance judg-
ment of your situation. However, CFP Board’s Candidate Fitness Standards define certain situations presumed to bar
certification, and additional guidance can be obtained through historical case studies of disciplinary actions taken by CFP
Board against those it has certified, available on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/ACH.
Go to www.CFP.net/certificants to review CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional

Responsibility, Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning Practice Standards.
Rev. 2010/05
35
A U T H O R I Z AT I O N T O U S E T H E C F P ® M A R K S
Authorization to Use the CFP® Marks

The marks CFP ®, CerTIFIed FInAnCIAl PlAnner™ and are owned by CFP Board in the U.S. and are protected by
®
trademark law. Only those individuals who have fully satisfied CFP Board’s requirements are authorized to use the CFP®
certification marks. CFP Board carefully monitors usage of the marks to ensure their integrity, and unauthorized use of
the marks is viewed as a serious matter. For example, it is incorrect to use the term “CFP ® candidate.” Up until the
point of achieving CFP® certification, individuals who have applied for the CFP ® Certification examination can say they
are “working towards obtaining CFP ® certification” or that they are a “candidate for CFP ® certification.” remember, if
you use the CFP® marks prematurely, or in some other prohibited manner, you could jeopardize your ultimate right to
use them.
CFP® CerTIFICATIOn APPlICATIOn
When you have completed the education, examination, bachelor’s degree and work experience requirements, you may
complete the remaining certification requirements online at www.CFP.net/login.This includes a CFP® Certification
Application, a non-refundable application fee, and a non-refundable certification fee for your initial certification period.
These requirements must be completed within six months of fulfilling the work experience requirement.The fees must
be paid and the application completed and reviewed by CFP Board before any certification can be issued.
InITIAl CerTIFICATIOn PerIOd And COnTInUInG edUCATIOn (Ce) rePOrTInG
An initial certification cycle will be defined for each individual after completing the education, examination, bachelor’s
degree and work experience requirements. CFP Board establishes this initial certification cycle using the date of initial
CFP® certification to the end of your birth month in an odd or even year, based on your birth date.The initial certifica-
tion fee and the amount of Ce credits due at the end of this initial cycle will be prorated based on $360 and 30 hours,
respectively, every two years. A non-refundable application fee of $100 and this initial certification fee (ranging from
$90-$450) must be paid when you complete the CFP® Certification Application.
After this prorated cycle is completed, you will begin reporting Ce and completing the renewal requirements on a cycli-
cal two-year renewal cycle. (See the “Certification renewal” section on page 5.)
InTernATIOnAl reCIPrOCITY
Seeking Dual Certification in the U.S.
If you are a resident of one of the territories affiliated with Financial Planning Standards Board ltd. (FPSB) and are cur-
rently authorized to use the CFP marks in that territory, you can apply for CFP ® certification in the United States by:
1. Providing proof of current CFP certification status from the FPSB affiliate in your territory,
2. Passing the first four-hour session of CFP Board’s CFP ® Certification examination, and
3. Fulfilling all remaining initial certification requirements in place at the time you apply for CFP Board’s CFP ®
Certification examination.
Once CFP Board grants you the right to use the CFP® marks in the U.S., you will be subject to CFP Board’s renewal
requirements. If you wish to retain dual certification in both the U.S. and your resident territory, you will be required to
complete the renewal requirements of both CFP Board and your FPSB affiliate.
Rev. 2010/05
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POLICY EXCEPTION REQUESTS
Policy exception requests

CFP Board enforces the policies and requirements for CFP® certification in a consistent manner. exceptions to estab-
lished policies and requirements are granted in only the rarest of circumstances. CFP® certificants and applicants for
CFP® certification who wish to request exceptions to specific policies or requirements of CFP Board may complete and
submit a Policy exception request Form, available on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net/become.The request will
be reviewed by CFP Board staff, and a written determination letter sent to the requestor by certified mail, postmarked
no later than thirty days from the date the request is received at CFP Board. Individuals unhappy with a decision stated
in a determination letter may submit a written appeal to CFP Board’s Policy exception Committee.Written appeals
must be received at CFP Board no later than thirty days from the requestor's receipt of the determination letter.The
Policy exception Committee meets four times each year (once per quarter).The decision of the Policy exception
Committee is final.
CFP Board
Attn: Policy Exception Committee
1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Rev. 2010/05
37
T E R M S A N D C O N D I T I O N S O F C F P ® C E R T I F I C AT N I O N
Terms and Conditions of CFP® Certification

I COVenAnT And AGree THAT:
a. Authorization. Upon acceptance of my Certification or renewal Application (Application) by CFP Board and
subject to these terms and conditions of certification (Terms), CFP Board grants to me a limited, personal,
non-transferable, non-sub licensable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, revocable license to use the Certification
Marks (as defined below) solely in connection with the promotion and conduct of the offering of services I
perform in relation to my certification in the United States. no other rights are granted except for those
explicitly granted herein.
b. Term of Use. Permission to use CFP Board’s Certification Marks, including specifically CFP®, CerTIFIed
FInAnCIAl PlAnner™ and ® exists solely for the certification period, as defined by CFP Board. At the
end of such certification period, if the certification is not renewed, the certification expires; all rights to use
the Certification Marks terminate; and I will immediately cease use of the Certification Marks. CFP Board may
terminate any rights I have in the use of the Certification Marks if I fail to maintain current certification status.
c. Restrictions on Use.Without limiting the other terms and restrictions set forth in these Terms, unless
otherwise approved by CFP Board in writing, I will not, directly or indirectly: (i) use the Certification Marks in
conjunction with the promotion and/or provision of any services, or in any other way, outside the United
States unless I have met cross-border requirements, (ii) use the Certification Marks in conjunction with the
sale of any tangible goods, (iii) state or imply that CFP Board has made a determination on the merits or
quality of any education, testing or review program with which I may be associated, (iv) certify individuals to
use the Certification Marks, (v) use the Certification Marks in a manner that implies another individual or
company is qualified to use the Certification Marks, or (vi) use the Certification Marks in violation of CFP
Board’s policies and procedures, which are incorporated herein by reference.
d. Quality Control.The nature and quality of all advertising, promotional or other uses of the Certification
Marks, and services associated therewith, will conform to the quality and standards specified by CFP Board (as
modified from time to time) and will be in full compliance with CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct
and all applicable laws and regulations. CFP Board has the exclusive right to monitor the manner in which I
use the Certification Marks and the quality of services associated therewith. Such monitoring may, at the
election of CFP Board, be done in accordance with the procedures outlined in CFP Board’s Standards of
Professional Conduct, including but not limited to, examination, investigation, inspection and formal hearings.
CFP Board retains, at all times, the right to withdraw its approval of my use of the Certification Marks if the
quality, accuracy or other characteristics of any of the services associated therewith ceases to be acceptable in
accordance with certain standards defined by CFP Board. notwithstanding, CFP Board has no right to control
incidents of actual services provided or participate in the rendition thereof.
e. Protection of the Certification Marks. CFP Board shall have the sole right to file applications to register,
and to obtain registration for, the Certification Marks. I further agree to cooperate fully with CFP Board in
filing such applications and obtaining such registrations, including providing CFP Board with specimens of use
of the Certification Marks and executing any documents requested by CFP Board, or in protecting, enforcing
and defending the Certification Marks. I will notify CFP Board in writing of any infringements, imitations, claims
or other problems with respect to the Certification Marks which may arise or otherwise come to my atten-
tion. CFP Board shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to take any action on account of any such
infringement, imitation, claim or problem. I will not institute any suit nor take any other action on account of
such infringements, imitations, claims or problems without the prior express written consent of CFP Board.
f. Ownership; Goodwill.The right to use the marks of CFP Board is limited to those rights to use the
Certification Marks and does not extend to any other marks of CFP Board. Any goodwill attaching to the
trademarks of CFP Board as a result of my use of the Certification Marks will inure to the benefit of CFP
Board. I will conduct my business in a way that does not adversely affect CFP Board’s reputation or goodwill. I
Rev. 2010/05
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T E R M S A N D C O N D I T I O N S O F C F P ® C E R T I F I C AT N I O N
will only display or use the Certification Marks as permitted in these Terms and the Guide to Use of the
CFP® Certification Marks (as updated from time to time).The right to use the Certification Marks does not
grant right, title or interest in or to any trademark, service mark, logo or trade name of CFP Board. I further
agree not to: (i) challenge CFP Board as the sole, absolute or exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in
and to the Certification Marks and the goodwill associated therewith, (ii) challenge the validity, control or use
of any mark owned by CFP Board, (iii) register, use, adopt or promote any mark that is confusingly similar to
any mark owned by CFP Board, (iv) take or encourage any action which would impair the rights of CFP Board
in and to the Certification Marks or any goodwill associated therewith, or (v) infringe the Certification Marks
or any other marks owned by CFP Board.
g. Disclaimer of Warranty.THe USe OF THe CerTIFICATIOn MArKS Are PrOVIded On An “AS IS”
BASIS. CFP BOArd dISClAIMS AnY And All exPreSS Or IMPlIed COndITIOnS, rePreSenTATIOnS
And WArrAnTIeS, InClUdInG AnY IMPlIed WArrAnTY OF MerCHAnTABIlITY, FITneSS FOr A
PArTICUlAr PUrPOSe, COUrSe OF deAlInG, USAGe OF TrAde, eMPlOYABIlITY Or nOn-
InFrInGeMenT, exCePT TO THe exTenT THeSe dISClAIMerS Are Held TO Be leGAllY InVAlId.
CFP BOArd HAS nO dUTY Or OBlIGATIOn TO reGISTer, reneW Or OTHerWISe MAInTAIn AnY
reGISTrATIOn FOr THe CerTIFICATIOn MArKS.
h. Compliance with Rules and Policies. I have read, understand and will comply with all rules and policies
contained in CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, which is incorporated herein by reference, as it
presently exists and as it may be amended from time to time.
i. Relinquishment of Certification. I may voluntarily relinquish my certification through a formal written

notice submitted to CFP Board at any time, provided such relinquishment shall not take effect until: (i) 30 days
after receipt thereof by CFP Board, (ii) all indebtedness due CFP Board is paid in full, and (iii) any complaint or
action pending under CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct is resolved. CFP Board, however, may in
its discretion declare a relinquishment effective at any time.
j. Retention of Jurisdiction. notwithstanding any termination or relinquishment of my right to use the

Certification Marks, I shall continue to be subject to the filing of a complaint under CFP Board’s Standards of
Professional Conduct based upon acts or omissions commenced prior to the effective date of termination or
relinquishment, provided that any such complaint shall be filed within five (5) years after the effective date of
termination or relinquishment.
k. Revocation of Right to Use. CFP Board has the absolute and unrestricted right to revoke, at its sole discre-
tion, any rights I have to use the Certification Marks, if CFP Board, in its sole discretion, finds that I have failed
to comply with CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct or these Terms. In addition, if CFP Board, in its
sole discretion, determines that I have misused the Certification Marks, I further understand and agree that
such action may cause irreparable harm and I will immediately stop using the Certification Marks or change
the manner in which I use them, whichever CFP Board requests.
l. Indemnification. neither CFP Board nor its directors, officers, employees and others acting on its behalf
shall be liable to me for any actions taken or omitted in an official capacity or in the scope of employment,
except to the extent that such actions or omissions constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence, and I
hereby release CFP Board and the persons identified above from any liability for any such actions or omis-
sions. I further covenant and agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless CFP Board and its directors, offi-
cers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, judgments, awards and expenses
related thereto (including court costs and reasonable fees of attorneys and other professionals) brought or
threatened by any third parties, including my clients, arising out of: (i) any breach by me of my Application or
these Terms, (ii) any failure by me or my authorized agents to comply with applicable laws, (iii) the services
provided by me, (iv) any unauthorized representation, warranty, agreement or the like, express or implied,
made by me or my authorized agents to or with any third party with respect to any acts or omissions (includ-
ing statements, representations or warranties not authorized by CFP Board), or (v) acts or omissions taken by
me in connection with the use of the Certification Marks. notwithstanding the above, CFP Board expressly
Rev. 2010/05
39
T E R M S A N D C O N D I T I O N S O F C F P ® C E R T I F I C AT I O N
reserves the right to retain separate counsel to participate in the defense or settlement of any such claims.
m. Limitation of Liability. TO THe exTenT nOT PrOHIBITed BY lAW, In nO eVenT WIll CFP BOArd
Be lIABle FOr AnY dIreCT, IndIreCT, SPeCIAl, COnSeQUenTIAl, InCIdenTAl Or PUnITIVe dAM-
AGeS, InClUdInG WITHOUT lIMITATIOn ATTOrneY’S FeeS, lOSS OF BUSIneSS, reVenUe, PrOFITS
Or OTHer eCOnOMIC AdVAnTAGe, HOWeVer CAUSed, reGArdleSS OF THe THeOrY OF lIABI-
ITY, ArISInG OUT OF Or relATed TO THe USe Or THe InABIlITY TO USe AnY OF CFP BOArd’S
MArKS, InClUdInG WITHOUT lIMITATIOn THe IMPleMenTATIOn OF THe FOrMS OF dISCIPlIne,
eVen IF CFP BOArd HAS Been AdVISed OF THe POSSIBIlITY OF SUCH dAMAGeS. In nO eVenT
WIll CFP BOArd’S lIABIlITY Under THIS deClArATIOn And AGreeMenT,WHeTHer In COn
TrACT,TOrT (InClUdInG neGlIGenCe And deFAMATIOn) Or OTHerWISe, exCeed THe
AMOUnT I PAId In APPlICATIOn FeeS. lIABIlITIeS SHAll Be lIMITed And exClUded, eVen IF THe
reMedY FAIlS OF ITS eSSenTIAl PUrPOSe.
n. Miscellaneous.
1. Integration. My Certification or renewal Application, these Terms, and the documents incorporated
herein by reference constitute the complete agreement and supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral
or written representations and warranties. CFP Board may modify these Terms upon notification to me.
no modification by me to these Terms shall be binding upon CFP Board unless in writing and signed by
CFP Board.
2. Assignment. I will not assign or transfer any of my rights or obligations under these Terms. Any assign-
ment or delegation by me of these Terms or any of my rights or obligations hereunder shall be null and
void. CFP Board may assign its rights herein, without my prior consent.
3. Relationship. My relationship with CFP Board is that of a certificant granted the right to use the certifi-
cation marks of a certifying body and in no way does the relationship constitute an independent contrac-
tor, partnership, franchise, joint venture, agency or employment relationship.
4. Interpretation.These Terms, which I understand are binding upon me in consideration of CFP Board
processing my Application, shall be interpreted in such a manner as to aid in effectuating the purposes and
business of CFP Board. no third party private right of action shall be permitted against CFP Board for
acts or omissions taken by CFP Board in the furtherance of its purposes and business or in connection
with these Terms. Failure of CFP Board to insist on strict performance of the provisions contained herein
does not prevent CFP Board from later enforcing its rights under these Terms.
5. Enforcement; Survival. If I do not stop using the Certification Marks immediately upon revocation,
relinquishment or termination, or violate the provisions of these Terms, such actions shall be considered
exceptional and I will pay any expenses, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees, which CFP Board may
incur while enforcing this provision. Upon termination, revocation or relinquishment of the right to use
the Certification Marks, my obligations under paragraphs e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m and n of these Terms will remain
in effect.
6. Choice of Law; Forum.These Terms and any action relating thereto shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the district of Columbia and controlling U.S. federal law. no choice of
law rules of any jurisdiction will apply. I will not bring any action arising from or relating to these Terms
except in a court of appropriate subject matter jurisdiction in the district of Columbia, and I expressly
consent to personal jurisdiction and proper venue by and in such court.
7. Headings; Severability. The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are for convenience of refer-
ence only and are without substantive significance. In the event that any provision of these Terms shall for
any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such validity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision and these Terms shall be interpreted and construed as if such term or
provision, to the extent the same shall have been held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, had never
Rev. 2010/05
been contained herein.
40
Take your next step toward
CFP® Certification
at www.CFP.net/become
1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005

P: 800-487-1497
F: 202-379-2299
E: [email protected]
W: www.CFP.net

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What is the mission of CFP Board?

What is the mission of CFP Board?

What are some of the benefits of obtaining CFP certification?

What are some of the benefits of obtaining CFP certification?

GUIDE TO

is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as

the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning.

Kevin r. Keller, CAe

CFP® Certification Overview

• 85% considered successful completion of a certification examination “very important” or “extremely

OnlIne TOOlS And reSOUrCeS

Create an Online Account with CFP Board

• General principles of financial planning

BACHelOr’S deGree reQUIreMenT

COMPleTInG THe edUCATIOn reQUIreMenT

1. CFP Board-Registered Program

2. Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs

Coursework on remaining topics at

4. Transcript Review Yes

Previous financial planning

College University Courses/

CFP BOArd-reGISTered PrOGrAMS

Course Titles and Length of Study

Coursework from Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs

FIndInG A CFP BOArd-reGISTered PrOGrAM

Important Questions to Ask about CFP Board-Registered Programs

• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

*Degree must be from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Find a CFP Board-resistered Program at www.CFP.net/become/programs.asp. Search by state,

CFP ® Certification examination

Questions and Case Scenarios

elIGIBIlITY And ACCePTABle QUAlIFYInG dOCUMenTATIOn

CFP Board-Registered Program

Multiple CFP Board-Registered Programs

International CFP Certification

Go to www.CFP.net/become to apply for the exam.

Ph.D. in Business, Economics or Business Administration (DBA)

Credential Topics satisfied on CFP Board’s topic list

• Application (in full) signed and dated

Alternate Test Dates and Special Accommodations

International Test Sites

Go to www.CFP.net/become for an updated list of test dates and locations.

Medical or Other Emergencies

What to Bring to the Exam

You should bring the following items to the exam site:

reVIeW And APPeAlS

exAM reVIeW COUrSe PrOVIderS

Topic list for CFP® Certification examination

First Test date: november 2006

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF B. Content of each series A. Funding

ments 1) Homeowners insurance A. life insurance

B. Fringe benefits C. Income tax implications conduits (reMICs)

3) Price/sales sis A. entity types

I. Installment sales d. Straight-line returns vs. probability analy- d. Top-heavy plans

6) Marital and charitable deductions 9) Sprinkling provision

85. Generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT)

87. Income in respect of a decedent (Ird)

88. Postmortem estate planning techniques

89. estate planning for non-traditional relation-