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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

You are highly recommended to review the Examination Syllabus to get yourself familiarize with the examination topics and weightings. You may also refer to the sample questions to help familiarise yourself with the form and style of questions which you may see in the examinations. 
 

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.

You 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 details of the CFP Certification Examination, you may download the Examination Handbook.

For examination enrolment, you may click HERE.
 

FAQ

Q1. How frequent will CFP Certification Examinations be offered?
With effect from December 2021 exam diet, Foundation Level Exam, Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam will be offered twice a year, usually in June and December.

Q2. Will both Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam to be administrated on the same day?
The Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam may be 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. You may choose to take the examination in EITHER of the languages. The same standards are applied in pass marks determination.

Q6. Are there any changes to the lists of “Fast-Track to CFP Certification?
The list for Level 1 Exam applies to Advanced level Paper 1 Exam whereas that for Level 2 Exam applies to Advanced level Paper 2 Exam. Please refer to the lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification" for relevant academic qualifications and professional credentials.

Q7. 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.

Q8. If I failed in previous Level 1 Exam, how can I proceed to obtain CFP Certification?
You may re-sit Level 1 Exam scheduled on 12 June 2021 or the last one on 11 September 2021. You are also allowed to attempt Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and/or Advanced level Paper 2 Exam scheduled on 11 December 2021 if the respective education requirements are fulfilled.

Q9. If I passed current Level 1 Exam and completed Course 4 of the Certification Education Program, but have never taken current Level 2 Exam, which exam paper I should enroll to obtain CFP Certification?
You may attempt the last Level 2 Exam scheduled on 12 June 2021 and you are also allowed to enroll Advanced level Paper 2 Exam scheduled on 11 December 2021.

Q10. If I failed in previous Level 2 Exam, may I attempt Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam scheduled on 11 December 2021?
You may re-sit the last Level 2 Exam scheduled on 12 June 2021 and you are also allowed to attempt Advanced level Paper 2 Exam scheduled on 11 December 2021.

Q11. 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.

Q12. What is the time limit for completing the CFP Certification Examinations?
There is no time limit for completing the CFP Certification Examinations.

Q13. Which courses under CFP Certification Education Program should the candidates completed before taking Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam?
Candidates are required to complete Courses 1, 2 and 3 prior to register for Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam; candidates are required to complete Courses 1, 2, 3 and 4 prior to register for Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam. Class Schedule of the CFP Certification Education Program can be found here.

Q14. Which subject areas will be covered in Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam?
Both exams will test all of the seven subject areas of financial planning. Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam covers integrated topics and consists of case-related questions. For more details of the subject areas will be covered in Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam, please refer to Examination Syllabus. Available for download in Candidate's Corner.

Q15. Do past paper examination questions available to candidates?
         Past examination papers are not released. IFPHK has prepared the following sample questions for examinees:

         Available for download in Candidate's Corner.

Q16. How much is the examination fee for Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam and Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam?
The examination fee for both exams is the same at HK$2,800.



 

¹  Formerly CFP Certification Examinations comprised of CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level), CFP Certification Examination (Level 1) and CFP Certification Examination (Level 2).

²  Candidates must provide proof of the relevant academic or professional credentials.

³  The examination fee reduction is subject to review and change by the IFPHK from time to time.