Beyond its intrinsic value, CFP certification provides a wealth of opportunities for advancement in one’s professional career. Board certified CFPs are poised to access national networking and leadership prospects within a vibrant and diverse community of fellow experts, fostering connections and shared knowledge with practitioners dedicated to advancing the field. Additionally, CFP certification may contribute to workplace benefits such as salary increases, promotion, licensure mobility, and attraction of business opportunities and clients. Given these benefits, board certified CFPs are equipped with the expertise and access to drive innovation, shape best practices, and inspire future generations in the field.
In summary, board certification in CFP holds significant value in several ways:
- Professional Credibility
- Demonstrated Competence
- Quality Assurance
- Career Advancement
- Professional Networking, and
- Consumer Protection
All Applicants for board certification in CFP must meet general eligibility requirements set by ABPP and specific eligibility requirements set by the ABCFP. Once approved by ABPP as having met the general eligibility requirements, the application is sent to the ABCFP for specialty eligibility approval.
The ABCFP provides Applicants with the choice of one of two tracks for pursuing candidacy in CFP – the standard track or senior track – depending upon their background and experience (the senior track requires 15 years of practice and additional documentation of specialization– please see Board Certification Process – Senior Track for more detail). Each Applicant is evaluated by a current Board member to ensure all specialty specific eligibility criteria are met for the track to which they applied. If the Board member does not deem an Applicant as having met all specialty specific eligibility criteria, but the Applicant disagrees, they are urged to request an individualized review of their history from a panel of the Board.
Regardless of whether on the standard or senior track, the board certification process proceeds through three stages:
- Stage I: Application for candidacy
- Stage II: Submission of professional statement and evidence of competence
- Stage III: Oral examination
Please see our ABCFP Manual, downloadable from the documents library, for more detailed information on the board certification process.
Becoming CFP board certified is unlike joining an association in that board certification is a widely recognized credential as opposed to a professional interest group.
If you are unsure, you can get in touch with the ABCFP Credentials Reviewer to discuss your situation before you apply. This would allow you to get a read on whether your current credentials meet the training requirements. And, if your current credentials don’t meet the training requirements, you could discuss possible ideas about additional training that could get you to the point of meeting the ABCFP requirements. Please visit the ABCFP Officers page for contact information for the current Credentials Reviewer.
All exams are held virtually via video conferencing.
The Board aspires to conduct the oral exams in a collegial manner. You can expect that the examiners will pose questions about the specific features of the cases that you provided for your work samples. Typically, examinees are asked to put their cases in the context of supporting theoretical and scientific literature. Examinees should be prepared to present the systemic rationale and support for their intervention, consultation, and assessment techniques. A portion of the exam will include ethical vignettes for discussion. Examinees are encouraged to review the competency areas listed in the ABCFP Manual located in the Document Library to be familiar with which areas are likely to be addressed.
There are many pathways to demonstrating your CFP competency. If you choose to seek to apply for board certification a mentor can be assigned to you upon request to review and discuss your qualifications and assist you throughout the application process.
The CFP specialty has incorporated the 2017 APA Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality into its foundational competencies for Board certification. The guidelines represent a truly inclusive, systemic approach to understanding and intervening with couples, families, and larger social systems. The complete guidelines are available here.