Fitness Standards

CFP Board’s initial ethics standard for CFP® certification requires an applicant to (1) commit to CFP Board to comply with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, and (2) demonstrate ethical fitness for CFP® certification.

The Fitness Standards provides the standards against which CFP Board will evaluate the ethical fitness of a candidate for CFP® certification and a former CFP® professional seeking reinstatement whose certification CFP Board has not suspended or temporarily barred (collectively “Applicant”). (A current or former CFP® professional whose certification CFP Board has suspended or temporarily barred must demonstrate ethical fitness for certification and rehabilitation in accordance with the Procedural Rules.) CFP Board assesses an Applicant’s ethical fitness for certification only after an Applicant successfully has completed the CFP® certification standards for education, examination, and experience.

In assessing ethical fitness, CFP Board evaluates information that may reveal an Applicant’s prior misconduct. An Applicant is ethically fit for CFP® certification if the Applicant has not engaged in conduct that (a) presents a permanent absolute bar to certification (“Conduct that Presents an Absolute Bar”), (b) renders the Applicant currently ineligible for certification (“Conduct that Renders an Applicant Currently Ineligible”), or (c) the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (“DEC”) determines presents a bar to certification.

CFP Board Enforcement Counsel has authority to determine, based on the Categories of Adverse Conduct Relevant to Fitness set forth below, whether an Applicant has engaged in (a) Conduct that Presents an Absolute Bar, (b) Conduct that Renders an Applicant Currently Ineligible, or (c) conduct that requires the Applicant to petition the DEC for an order finding ethical fitness in accordance with CFP Board’s Procedural Rules (“Conduct that Requires a Petition for Fitness”).

Amendments to the Fitness Standards

The Fitness Standards may be amended from time to time. CFP Board will publish for comment any material changes to the Fitness Standards prior to implementation.