United States
Hong KongDo you need a degree for the CFP?
Yes, a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution, in any discipline. But it can be completed within five years after passing the exam, so it does not block you from sitting.
Yes, and the timing is more generous than almost anyone expects.
The requirement
A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in any discipline.
Any discipline. History, music, engineering, nursing. There is no requirement that it relate to finance, because the financial content is covered by the Registered Program coursework instead.
The five-year window
The degree may be completed within five years of passing the exam.
So the sequence available is: complete the coursework, sit the exam, accumulate experience, and finish the degree afterwards. Certification is issued once everything is complete.
The CFP Board Registered Program must be verified before you sit. The degree, the experience and the ethics steps can all follow. That is worth knowing before assuming you are ineligible.
If you do not have one
The most efficient route is a Registered Program that also awards academic credit towards a degree - the same work counted twice.
After that: a degree completion program recognizing prior credit, an accredited online degree part time, or a community college associate degree followed by transfer.
Foreign degrees
Generally acceptable where equivalent to a US bachelor's degree, subject to evaluation by a recognized credential evaluation service.
Start that early. Evaluations take time, and finding a problem in year four of five is worse than finding it in year one.
The alternative if you will not complete one
The ChFC has no degree requirement and covers comparable ground, with course-by-course assessment rather than a single integrated exam.
It carries considerably less public recognition, which is the trade. For someone who genuinely will not complete a degree, it is the realistic option.
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
Do you need a degree for CFP certification?
Yes, a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution, in any discipline. It may be completed within five years after passing the exam.
Does the degree have to be in finance?
No. Any discipline qualifies, because the financial content is covered by the CFP Board Registered Program coursework.
Can you sit the exam without a degree?
Yes. Only the Registered Program coursework must be verified before sitting. The degree, experience and ethics steps can all follow.
What is the most efficient route without one?
A Registered Program that awards academic credit towards a degree, so the required coursework counts twice. Degree completion programs recognizing prior credit come next.
Is there an alternative credential?
The ChFC has no degree requirement and covers comparable ground, with course-by-course assessment. It carries considerably less public recognition, which is the trade.