How to Become a Certified Financial Planner
If you're interested in finance and want to further your career while helping people at the same time, becoming a certified financial planner could be a great choice for you. Anyone can be a financial planner, but not everyone is certified. There are specific steps you have to take to get that all important piece of paper and earn the credibility that comes along with it.
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Instructions
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Get a college degree. In order to get a certificate from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, you will need a college degree. Your degree doesn't have to be in finance--it can be in art, history or basket weaving. The important thing is that it comes from an accredited college or university.
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Take certification classes. Classes are available on traditional college campuses, over the Internet and on site at certain employers. The Board has a search option on its website that can help you find a program. You may be able to substitute relevant education for some of the coursework if it is in the financial arena (see Resources below).
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Work as a financial planner for 3 years. As stated before, you don't need to be certified to be a financial planner. In fact, the only way to become certified is to work without certification for a while. You need to complete at least 3 years of work directly related to the field.
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Apply to take the exam. Once you've got all the education you need, you should be qualified to take the CEF Certification Examination. You can't just show up and take the test, though; you have to apply. Be sure to register at least 2 months in advance in order to secure your spot. To get an application, call (800) 487-1497.
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Agree to a background check. As the last step in the process, you'll need to submit to an investigation by the CFP and agree to its code of ethics. It should be pretty easy to pass, unless you're being sued by former financial planning clients.
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Wait for the certificate to come in the mail.
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Tips & Warnings
Getting certified isn't cheap. The test will put you back about $600, and there's an additional $100 certification fee you have to pay in the final stages.
Don't promote yourself as a certified financial planner until you have completed the process.
Resources
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Comments
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Are there Universities in south africa that offers courses?
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Man nii, se iwe o fe poju bayi? nothing do u o jare! A jo maa kawe naa ni o. Have a lovely wk ahead.
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Please I am in Nigeria, how do I register for exam and every other things needed.
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joescholar
Jun 07, 2009
Good article, but just as an FYI, you don't become "a" Certified Financial Planner. You obtain a Certified Financial Planner designation or you become a CFP professional. Inproper use of the CFP mark can lead to disciplinary action by the Board of Standards.
