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To earn the CFP Certification, all Candidates must successfully complete THREE examinations:

• CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)
• ¹CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1)
• ¹CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2)

The examinations are designed to assess a Candidate's ability in applying the financial planning knowledge and skills learned from the education programs.  Examination questions are based on knowledge, skills and abilities required of financial planners in Hong Kong (For details, please see the Financial Planner Competency Profile Report) and are developed by academics and industry experts to ensure the questions reflect real-world financial planning.  Passing the examinations demonstrate an examinee's proficiency in knowledge, skills and abilities related to financial planning.

All examinations are in the format of multiple choice questions. 

Pre-requisites to the Examinations

The CFP Certification process starts with the Foundation Level Examination.   There is no education pre-requisite for this examination. 

Candidates are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Level Paper 1 after they have

• passed, or are exempted from the Foundation Level Examination; and
• completed, or are exempted from Course 1, 2 and 3 of the Education Program

 Candidates are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Level Paper 2 after they have

• passed, or are exempted from the Foundation Level Examination; and
• completed, or are exempted from Course 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Education Program

Exemption from the Examinations

Candidates may qualify for exemption from the Foundation Level Examination if they are holders of certain academic or professional credentials²  (e.g. AFP Certification).  Please refer to the lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification" for qualifications eligible for the exemption.   

No exemption is allowed for the Advanced Level Paper 1 and Advanced Level Paper 2 Examination.

Examination Coverage

Candidates are recommended to review the examination syllabus in the Examination Handbook (for June 2025 exams)/ Examination Handbook (for Dec 2025 exams and onwards) for examination topics and weightings. Candidates who have enrolled in the CFP Certification Education Program/AFP Certification Education Program may review the Syllabus - Descriptive Content Coverage available at Candidates Corner after members' login. 

Candidates may also refer to the Sample Questions to help familiarize themselves with the form and style of examination questions. 
 

Examination Frequency

CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level), CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1) and CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2) will be held TWICE per year usually in JUNE and DECEMBER.

Candidates may refer to the Examination Time Schedule for details of upcoming examinations.
 

Grading

All questions in the examination are of equal marks. Each exam is graded independently and the result of one exam does not affect another. The CFP Certification Examinations are graded PASS or FAIL.  Examinees who are unable to attend the examination will be regarded as ABSENT.
 

Re-examination and Time Limit

Examinees are only required to re-sit the paper which they failed. There is no limit on the maximum number of re-sit examinations that an examinee can take for any one of the papers. Re-sit examinees may enjoy an examination fee reduction³.
 

Examination Results

Examination results are normally available within six weeks after the examination.  A notification email will be sent to examinees to notify them of the release of examination results.

For examination enrolment, you may click HERE.
 

FAQ

Q1. How frequent are CFP Certification Examinations offered?
The Foundation Level Exam, Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam are offered twice a year, usually in June and December.

Q2. Are both Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam administrated on the same day?
The Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam are conducted in different sessions on the same day, please check Examination Time Schedule for details.

Q3. What are the durations of CFP Certification Examinations?

Q4. What is the format of CFP Certification Examinations?
       All the questions are multiple-choice questions (MCQs):

Q5. What are the languages of CFP Certification Examinations?
All the exams are set in two languages: English and Traditional Chinese. Candidates may choose to take the examination in EITHER of the languages. The same standards are applied in pass marks determination.

Q6. Do I need to pass Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam before Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam?
There is no requirement to pass Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam sequentially. Eligible candidates may attempt both exams in the same exam diet or may attempt Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam before attempting to Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam, and vice versa.

Q7. Is there any restriction to re-sit CFP Certification Examinations?
There is no limit on the maximum number of re-sit examinations that an individual can take for any one of the examinations.

Q8. What is the time limit for completing the CFP Certification Examinations?
There is no time limit for completing the CFP Certification Examinations.

Q9. Which subject areas are covered in Advanced Level Paper 1 and Advanced Level Paper 2?
Both exams test all of the seven subject areas of financial planning. Advanced Level Paper 2 covers integrated topics and consists of case-related questions. For more details of the subject areas are covered in Advanced Level Paper 1 and Advanced Level Paper 2, please refer to Examination Handbook (for June 2025 exams)/ Examination Handbook (for Dec 2025 exams and onwards).

Q10. Do past paper examination questions available to candidates?
Past examination papers are not released. IFPHK has prepared the Sample Questions.