United States
Hong KongDoes CFP certification expire?
It does not expire on a fixed date the way a five-year certificate does. It continues as long as the annual fee is paid, thirty continuing education hours are completed every two years, and the renewal declaration is made.
Not on a date. It lapses if you stop maintaining it, which is a different mechanism.
What keeps it current
| Requirement | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Certification fee | Annual, around USD 455 |
| Continuing education | 30 hours every two years |
| Ethics CE within that | 2 hours, CFP Board-approved |
| Renewal declaration | Each renewal |
| Compliance with the Code and Standards | Continuous |
Three administrative items and one ongoing obligation. Miss any of the first three and certification lapses.
How lapses happen
Rarely by decision. Usually because an employer stopped paying the fee, or continuing education was completed and not reported in time, or reminders went to an old email address.
A career break is the other common cause, and it is the one worth thinking about in advance.
From the day it lapses you are not certified and may not use the marks. Using them anyway is a Standards violation, which is a much worse problem than the missed payment that caused it.
Reinstating
Generally an application, outstanding continuing education, fees including a reinstatement fee, and a current ethics declaration and background check.
A longer lapse can require re-examination, so the length matters. Confirm the current thresholds with CFP Board.
During a career break
Maintaining is generally simpler and cheaper than reinstating - the fee and thirty hours every two years against an application, catch-up and possibly an exam.
Anyone anticipating time out of the industry should weigh that before letting it go.
Preventing it
A calendar reminder for the fee, a separate one for the continuing education deadline, and current contact details with CFP Board.
And confirm each year that an employer who pays the fee actually paid it. Assuming they did is the single most common route to an accidental lapse.
CFP® is a registered mark of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, CFP Board. Confirm details against cfp.net, which is the authority.
Common questions
Does CFP certification expire?
Not on a fixed date. It continues as long as the annual fee is paid, thirty continuing education hours are completed every two years, and the renewal declaration is made.
How do lapses usually happen?
An employer stopped paying the fee, continuing education was not reported in time, reminders went to an old email address, or a career break was taken without maintaining it.
Is there a grace period?
No. From the day certification lapses you may not use the marks, and using them anyway is a Standards violation - a worse problem than the missed payment behind it.
How do you reinstate?
An application, outstanding continuing education, fees including a reinstatement fee, and a current ethics declaration and background check. A longer lapse can require re-examination.
How do you prevent a lapse?
Calendar reminders for the fee and the CE deadline, current contact details with CFP Board, and confirming each year that an employer who pays the fee actually paid it.