United States
Hong KongWhat calculator should you use for the CFP exam?
A financial calculator from CFP Board's current approved list. Anything with alphanumeric text storage, printing or communication capability is prohibited, and the calculator is checked at the center.
You need one, and the choice matters less than the fluency.
The rule
CFP Board publishes a list of approved financial calculator models, and it is updated from time to time. Check the current list on cfp.net rather than any secondary source, including this page.
Broadly: financial calculators without alphanumeric text storage, without printing, and without any wireless or communication capability.
What is prohibited
- Anything storing or displaying alphanumeric text.
- Printing calculators.
- Anything with communication capability.
- Phones, tablets and smart watches.
- Calculator manuals and reference cards.
The calculator is inspected at check-in and memory is generally required to be cleared, so anything you stored will not be there.
Which features matter
Time value of money functions, a cash flow register for uneven cash flows with net present value and internal rate of return, and ideally amortization.
That is the whole requirement. Statistical functions and bond worksheets are useful and rarely decisive.
A calculator failing at hour four is a bad way to lose an exam you prepared 300 hours for. Two calculators and new batteries cost very little against a USD 925 registration.
Choosing between models
Whichever you will practice on. The approved models differ in keystroke logic - some use reverse Polish notation, others algebraic - and switching between them under exam pressure is a genuine risk.
Pick one early, use it for every practice question, and do not change your mind in the final month.
The errors it causes
Payments per year left at twelve from a previous problem. Beginning-of-period mode left on. Registers not cleared between questions.
All three are silent - the calculator returns a plausible number rather than an error - and all three are prevented by a consistent clearing habit built during practice.
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
What calculator is allowed on the CFP exam?
A financial calculator from CFP Board's current approved list. Check cfp.net rather than a secondary source, since the list is updated from time to time.
What is prohibited?
Anything storing alphanumeric text, printing calculators, anything with communication capability, phones, tablets, smart watches, and calculator manuals or reference cards.
Which features do you need?
Time value of money functions, a cash flow register with net present value and internal rate of return, and ideally amortization. That is the whole requirement.
Which model should you choose?
Whichever you will practice on. Approved models differ in keystroke logic, and switching between them under exam pressure is a real risk. Pick one early and stay with it.
What errors does the calculator cause?
Payments per year left at twelve, beginning-of-period mode left on, and registers not cleared. All three return a plausible number rather than an error, and a clearing habit prevents them.