FAQS

Eligible program content relates directly to one or more of CFP Board's Principal Knowledge Topics.

The Principal Knowledge Topics are determined as a result of CFP Board's Practice Analysis Study, the largest research project in the U.S. related to the body of knowledge for financial planning. CFP Board conducts a Practice Analysis in partnership with a major testing firm approximately every 5 years, the most recent of which was conducted in 2020.

Content with a focus on the following topics is ineligible for CE credit:

• practice management
• public accounting
• computer hardware or software
• marketing, prospecting, or sales
• specific company or product presentations

Topics not included in the list of CFP Board's Principal Knowledge Topics are ineligible for CE credit.

 

While each session of the conference will need to be submitted individually for review, you will only need to provide the general conference information once; i.e., conference title, conference start and end date, city and state. Each session must be at least one CE credit hour (50 minutes) in length.

Live Programs are eligible for 1.00 CE credit hour per 50 minutes of instruction time. Programs must be at least 0.50 CE credit hour in length. CE credit hours are rounded down to the nearest half CE credit hour. Live program hours are automatically determined based on the number of minutes you enter as part of the submission process. For example:

• A Live Program with 25 minutes of instruction is eligible for 0.50 CE credit hours.
• A Live Program with 75 minutes of instruction is eligible for 1.50 CE credit hours.

Self-Study Program hours are automatically determined based in the information your provide for this two-part requirement:

Using either of the following two methods for quantifying hours: (1) a pilot test of the representative completion time* with a minimum of five participants, or (2) using the following word count formula: [(# of words / 180) + actual duration time of any audio/video in minutes] / 50 = CE Credit Hours.

1.00 CE credit hour per 50 minutes of average completion time; 0.50 CE credit hours per 25 minutes. Programs must be eligible for at least 1.00 CE credit hour. CE credit hours are rounded down to the nearest half CE credit hour.

Evidence of satisfactory completion, including an assessment/examination scored by the program provider.

The assessment/examination must contain a minimum of 5 questions per full CE credit hour (Example: a 1.50 CE credit hour program must include an assessment containing at least 5 questions).

A passing score is 70%.

* Exam time may not be included in the average completion time.

No. Each program application submission incurs a separate program application fee as outlined in the CE Sponsor Terms and Conditions

Yes. When completing the CE Sponsor application you will be asked to provide your Tax ID number and attach a copy of the IRS letter or certificate confirming your 501(c) status. This documentation is required to be eligible for the reduced sponsorship and program fees.

Yes, program applications do need to be submitted online. CFP Board does not accept program applications received via mail, fax, and/or as a PDF attachment to an email.

Once the program fee is paid, the review process is generally completed within 5 to 7 business days. If we need additional information, you will be notified via email with a specific request for documentation.

CFP Board CE staff sends an email confirmation outlining the reason(s) for denying a program application. Some common reasons for denying a program are: not meeting the minimum time or examination requirements, not addressing topics identified in the list of Principal Knowledge Topics, or for a focus on an excluded topic (i.e. product specific, practice management, etc.).

Yes, but you will incur a $100.00 late fee, as outlined in the CE Sponsor Terms and Conditions. CFP Board encourages registered CE sponsors to submit their program applications to CFP Board well in advance of the program offering date with enough time allowed for the 5-7 business day review period.

Keep CFP Board CE staff informed of any changes to the Primary Point of Contact by emailing [email protected]. Once notified, we will update the system which will ensure continued access to your account and receipt of important communications.

Yes. CE Sponsors are required to upload course completion reports to CFP® professional accounts within 14 days of a program's completion, using the online CE Attendance Reporting Profile available in their CE Sponsor accounts.

CFP Board’s full attendance reporting policies and a step-by-step guide can be found here.

Contact CFP Board Continuing Education Staff directly at [email protected].