Certified Financial Planner Certification Program

The ideal candidates for the CFP Certification Program include:  

• Financial planners interested in achieving their CFP certification so that they may earn more credibility in their chosen field and provide a higher level of service to their clients 
• Professionals who have a desire to understand the different components of financial planning 
• Individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in financial planning 

Learn at your own pace through text-based learning and comprehensive resources. This option is best-suited for individuals with prior work experience, as this self-study course involves independent learning using Dalton developed course books and materials. 

This 6-12 month time commitment includes 12-30 hours of dedicated self-study time/week. 

Register Now for the Self-Paced Self-Study Online Option

Ideal for students seeking to benefit from structured, scheduled courses led by top-notch faculty. Course includes live Instruction with on-demand access. This 10-12-month time commitment includes 5 hours of weekly class time + 10-15 hours dedicated self-study time/week. 

Register Now for the Instructor-Led Online Option

This educational format includes live online, instructor-led classes that are recorded for future viewing. It provides flexible education schedules with classes meeting two nights per week. 

This program allows students to pause their program and come back at any time with no extra charge and includes a 100% guarantee to pass or your money back. LSU Executive Education offers this program in conjunction with Dalton Education, a leading provider of financial planning education. 

Register Now for the Guarantee to Pass Add-on

Balance flexibility and structure with this accelerated hybrid program. Given the rigor of the accelerated FAST PASS option, it is recommended that individuals who enroll have 3-5 years of professional experience. Course includes live instruction with on-demand access.

This 6 month time commitment includes approximately 15 hours of dedicated self-study for 3.5 weeks before a 3-day immersive live session for each course within the curriculum.

Register Now for the Instructor-Led Online FAST PASS Option

The four e's: education, examination, experience, and ethics are required to obtain CFP certification. 

Education

Bachelor's Degree Requirement 

A bachelor's degree in any discipline is required to obtain the CFP® designation. This is not a requirement to be eligible for the CFP® Certification Examination and does not have to be obtained before sitting for the exam or fulfilling the work experience. You have five years from the date you pass the CFP® exam to satisfy the bachelor's degree requirement. 

Financial Planning Topic Mastery 

In addition, to receive the CFP® designation, you have to master the topics covered in the following areas: general financial planning principles, education planning, risk management, and insurance planning, investment planning, tax planning, retirement savings and income planning, estate planning, and a capstone course in financial planning. 

Examination 

CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. You are eligible to apply and sit for the CFP® Certification Examination after successfully completing the educational requirement. The CFP® Examination is administered by the CFP® Board. Additional information can be found at www.cfp.net. 

Experience 

CFP® professionals must have three years minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. This experience may be obtained before or up to five years after the exam. 

Ethics 

CFP practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Additional information can be found at  www.cfp.net.