About the CFP^® Mark

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) certification is the industry gold standard in financial planning. CFP professionals are the largest identifiable body of licensed financial planners in Canada with over 17,500 individuals meeting the strict standards to attain this designation.

However, since financial planning is not regulated in most Canadian provinces, anyone can call themselves a "financial planner"; but not everyone who refers to themselves as a planner is indeed qualified. In the absence of government regulation, Canadians seeking competent and ethical financial planning services should look for the CFP mark. CFP certification provides assurance that the planner is committed to internationally-recognized professional standards of competence, ethics and practice as set and enforced in Canada by FPSC.

These Standards include:

• completion of a thorough education in financial planning;
• successful completion of a rigorous standardized national examination;
• financial planning-related work experience; and,
• an ethical commitment to putting the client's interest first.

CFP professionals are also held to ongoing rigorous standards through FPSC's continuing education requirements and enforcement processes. To learn more about the CFP certification process, please visit the CFP Certification section of this site.

International recognition

CFP certification is the only internationally recognized financial planning designation. There are currently organizations in 23 countries awarding CFP certification: Canada, the United States, Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Chinese Taipei, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Bermuda and Belgium are currently Associate Members of Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). Efforts to create a CFP certification program are currently underway in Italy and Greece. The marks are currently registered or pending registration in all countries of the European Union. FPSC is the second largest member of FPSB. 

How to find a planner who has earned CFP certification

To check the credentials of a CFP professional, or find a planner in your local area, check the Directory of CFP professionals and Find a Local CFP Professional search tool.

Complaints and enforcement

FPSC will respond to alleged violations of the CFP Code of Ethics brought to its attention in writing. If a CFP professional fails to meet the high standards of the CFP Code of Ethics, FPSC will take appropriate disciplinary action. The most severe of these actions is the revocation of the licence to use the CFP marks. Learn more about the Complaints process >>