United States
Hong KongUsing the marks correctly, which is narrower than people assume
The marks are used as adjectives following an individual's name, with the certification mark symbol, and refer to a person rather than a firm. Misuse is a Standards matter and a common cause of correspondence from CFP Board.
Narrower rules than most people expect, and they apply everywhere the marks appear rather than only in formal material.
The core rules
- The marks refer to an individual who is certified, never to a firm.
- They are used as adjectives, following the individual's name.
- They carry the certification mark symbol on first or most prominent use.
- They are not used as nouns, verbs or in the possessive.
- They are not incorporated into a firm name, domain name or email address.
The firm point is the one that produces most of the correspondence. A firm employing certified professionals may say so; it may not describe itself as a CFP firm. Individuals, not firms.
Correct and incorrect
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| Jane Smith, CFP® | Jane Smith, CFP |
| Our team includes CFP® professionals | We are a CFP® firm |
| A CFP® professional | A CFP |
| She is a CFP® professional | She is a CFP |
| CFP® certification | CFP certified planner as a job title |
Using the marks as a noun - "she is a CFP" - is the most common everyday error, including among certified professionals. Everybody does it.
Email signatures, LinkedIn headlines, business cards, websites, advertisements, presentation slides and social media profiles are all in scope. LinkedIn is where most misuse is found, because people write headlines quickly.
Why it is enforced
Because the value of the marks to certified professionals depends on their meaning something specific. Meaning is the asset.
A firm implying that everyone in it is certified when two people are misleads clients and dilutes what certification signals. That is the reasoning, and it is why misuse is treated as a conduct matter rather than a technicality.
Before certification is granted
The marks may not be used at all until certification is granted - not after passing the exam, and not while the remaining requirements are outstanding.
A candidate who has passed may say so accurately: "passed the CFP® Certification Examination" is a statement of fact and is not use of the marks as a credential.
A five-minute audit
Email signature, LinkedIn headline and about section, firm website biography, business cards, any bio used for speaking or writing. Five minutes.
Five places, five minutes, and it catches nearly all real-world misuse - most of which is inadvertent and none of which is a defense.
CFP® is a registered mark of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, CFP Board. Confirm requirements against cfp.net, which is the authority.
Common questions
How should the CFP marks be used?
As adjectives following an individual's name, with the certification mark symbol, referring to a person rather than a firm. Never as a noun, verb or possessive.
Can a firm call itself a CFP firm?
No. A firm may say it employs CFP professionals; it may not describe itself as a CFP firm or incorporate the marks into its name, domain or email addresses.
What is the most common error?
Using the marks as a noun - "she is a CFP" rather than "she is a CFP professional". It is common even among certified professionals.
Do the rules apply to LinkedIn?
Yes, along with email signatures, business cards, websites, advertisements and presentation slides. LinkedIn is where most misuse is found because headlines get written quickly.
Can you use the marks after passing the exam?
No, not until certification is granted. You may accurately state that you passed the CFP Certification Examination, which is a statement of fact rather than use of the marks.