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General
How should I start if I wish to enroll to the CFP Certification Program?
Where should I register for the Candidacy?
How long do I have to maintain my Candidacy?
Are there any fees associated with the Candidacy?
I am a Bachelor's degree holder, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
I do not hold a Bachelor's degree nor do I hold any qualifications on your Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification", does that mean I am not eligible for the CFP Certification?
I am an undergraduate student, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
I have a Master's degree, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
I am a member of a professional body, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
Education
Can I enroll in all courses of the CFP Certification Education Program at the same time?
Where can I take the CFP Certification Education Program?
How often will the education providers offer the CFP Certification Education Program?
Where can I get the education curriculum?
Can I self study the CFP Certification Education Program?
Examination
Can I be exempted from taking the CFP Certification Examinations?
Where can I get the syllabus of the CFP Certification Examinations?
How much is the fee for CFP Certification Examinations?
If I am taking the CFP Certification Examinations through "Fast-track to CFP Certification", what study support will I get?
How often will the IFPHK offer the CFP Certification Examinations?
Is the CFP Certification Examinations paper bilingual?
How many questions are there in the CFP Certification Examinations?
What is the time allowed for the CFP Certification Examinations?
What are the pass scores of the CFP Certification Examinations?
If I fail the CFP Certification Examinations, is there any restriction to re-sit the examination?
How much is the examination fee if I re-sit for the examination?
Certification
What are the certification requirements for the CFP Certification?
I am an AFP certificant persuing CFP Certification.  If I fulfill the relevant 4Es requirements and successfully become a CFP certificant, can I keep my status as an AFP certificant?
What are the certification fees for the CFP Certification?
My application for CFP Certification has been disapproved. Can I appeal against the decision?
Others
What is the difference between an AFP Certification and a CFP Certification?

How should I start if I wish to enroll to the CFP Certification Program?
It is compulsory for all individuals to register with the IFPHK as a Candidate before one is eligible to proceed with his/her CFP Certification.   One must possess valid Candidacy before he/she can enroll to an education program or register for an examination.  The IFPHK Candidates will, from time to time, receive useful study tools such as sample questions, exercises, study guides, education, examination schedules and much more.
The CFP Certification Examinations consist of 3 examination levels, each associated with different education requirements.  The IFPHK recognizes your academic and professional qualifications and depending on your background, your entry route may vary.   
Please refer to information on the requirements for CFP Certification, and then locate your entry route by referring to the Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification".

Where should I register for the Candidacy?
Individuals are required to make their Candidacy registration at the IFPHK website.

How long do I have to maintain my Candidacy?
To become eligible for CFP Certification, individuals must maintain continuous annual registration until he/she becomes a CFP certificant.

Are there any fees associated with the Candidacy?
Click here for fees associated with the Candidacy.

I am a Bachelor's degree holder, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
Graduates with Bachelors’ degrees awarded by accredited educational institutions fulfill the entry requirement to the CFP Certification.  You can directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level).  You can also consider applying for a transcript review to be exempted from certain courses of the CFP Certification Education Program.

I do not hold a Bachelor's degree nor do I hold any qualifications on your Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification", does that mean I am not eligible for the CFP Certification?
Except for students studying towards a Bachelor's degree awarded by an accredited education institution, all individuals are required to meet the pre-requisite requirements.   You may consider obtaining one of the qualifications on the Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification" before starting your journey to CFP Certification.  The IFPHK offers AFP Certification and FAIQ Examination which can help you progress to the CFP Certification.  

I am an undergraduate student, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
Students studying towards a Bachelor's degree awarded by an accredited education institution are eligible for CONDITIONAL acceptance to the CFP Certification. They may directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level). However please note that this admission to the examination DOES NOT imply fulfillment of the pre-requisite requirement for CFP Certification. Candidates admitted through this path are required to show evidence of completion of the relevant degree program (or any other qualification eligible for exemption) upon certification.
In addition, full-time students who are taking up a face-to-face undergraduate degree program in Hong Kong degree-awarding higher education institutions are eligible to apply for concessionary fee arrangement.

I have a Master's degree, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
Master's degree holders in Economics or Business Administration awarded by accredited education institutions can start at CFP Certification by self-study through the CFP Certification Education Program (Course 1 to 3), and directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1). If you possess a Master's degree in any other discipline you may also apply for a transcript review to be exempted from certain courses of the CFP Certification Education Program.

I am a member of a professional body, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the CFP Certification?
Depending on which professional designation you possess, you may be eligible to take the self-study mode to fulfill part or all education requirements of the CFP Certification. You may refer to the Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification" for further information.

Can I enroll in all courses of the CFP Certification Education Program at the same time?
Yes.  However please note that you must take the CFP Certification Examinations in sequence.

Where can I take the CFP Certification Education Program?
Upon your successful registration as an IFPHK Candidate, you may register for the education program through the following four approved education providers (in alphabetical order):

  1. Institute for Entrepreneurship (IfE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  2. School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE), The University of Hong Kong
  3. School of Continuing and Professional Education (SCOPE), City University of Hong Kong
  4. School of Continuing Studies (SCS), Macau University of Science and Technology

How often will the education providers offer the CFP Certification Education Program?
Schedule may vary among the education providers. Please check on the websites of the education providers or the IFPHK.

Where can I get the education curriculum?
The education curriculum is available at the IFPHK website.

Can I self study the CFP Certification Education Program?
Self study is only offered to Candidates with Master's degree in Economics or Business Administration or certain professional qualifications. You may review the LIST here. If you do not possess any academic or professional qualifications as stated above, but you have completed certain academic courses that are eligible for applying transcript review, you may be exempted from taking any of the Course 1, 2 or 3.

Can I be exempted from taking the CFP Certification Examinations?
Holders of certain academic or professional qualifications may qualify to take the CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1) directly. Please refer to the LIST for further information.

Where can I get the syllabus of the CFP Certification Examinations?
The Examination Syllabus and the Syllabus – Descriptive Content Coverage are available at the IFPHK website.

How much is the fee for CFP Certification Examinations?
Click here for the current examination fees for CFP Certification Examinations.

If I am taking the CFP Certification Examinations through "Fast-track to CFP Certification", what study support will I get?
Candidates admitted through "Fast-track to CFP Certification" are required to purchase the required textbooks for the education programs. As a Candidate to the certification program, an online login to a designated area in the IFPHK website will be provided to you to get the updated information including a Study Guide, exercises and sample questions.

How often will the IFPHK offer the CFP Certification Examinations?
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.

Is the CFP Certification Examinations paper bilingual?
No.  The examination is set in ONE of two languages: English and Traditional Chinese. The examination questions of these two versions for each examination are the same. You may choose to take the examination in EITHER ONE of the languages.

How many questions are there in the CFP Certification Examinations?
The CFP Certification Examination consists of three levels. CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) consists of around 90 - 100 multiple choice questions, the CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1) consists of around 85 - 90 multiple choice questions and CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2) consists of around 38 - 40 multiple choice questions. From December 2024 onwards, the number of multiple choice examination questions in CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2) is 40 - 45 MCQs.

What is the time allowed for the CFP Certification Examinations?

· Foundation Level Exam :3 hours;
· Advanced Level Paper 1 Exam :3 hours and 30 minutes; and
· Advanced Level Paper 2 Exam :2 hours and 30 minutes

What are the pass scores of the CFP Certification Examinations?
The pass scores for the CFP Certification Examinations will be determined in accordance with standard pass-score procedures for certification examinations. Because of the procedures adopted, the pass scores may vary from examination to examination and are not disclosed. You may refer to the Examination Handbook if you wish to learn more about the pass score.

If I fail the CFP Certification Examinations, is there any restriction to re-sit the examination?
There is no limit on the maximum number of re-sitting examinations.

How much is the examination fee if I re-sit for the examination?
An examination fee reduction is available for Candidates retaking the same examination. 

What are the certification requirements for the CFP Certification?
You need to fulfill 4E requirements being that you have to:
· Complete the CFP Certification Education Program;
· Pass the THREE levels of CFP Certification Examination;
· Possess THREE years of qualified working experience; and
· Abide by the IFPHK’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

I am an AFP certificant persuing CFP Certification.  If I fulfill the relevant 4E requirements and successfully become a CFP certificant, can I keep my status as an AFP certificant?
NO. Once you attain your CFP Certification, the IFPHK will automatically change your status as a CFP certificant and you are no longer eligible to claim yourself as an AFP certificant.

What are the certification fees for the CFP Certification?
Click here for details of the certification fees.

My application for CFP Certification has been disapproved. Can I appeal against the decision?
Within one month from the date when the disapproval letter is issued, you may appeal against the decision. You should provide reasons to appeal. If the decision is reached on the basis of not fulfilling the work experience requirements, you should provide further details as to your financial planning work experience.

What is the difference between an AFP Certification and a CFP Certification?
AFP Certification aims at providing individuals with multiple abilities to handle the common needs of clients, including:

  1. Ability to identify the client’s objectives, needs and values
  2. Ability to identify and collect information required for making financial advice
  3. Ability to assess collected information to formulate advice for consumption, retirement, investment products and personal risk management insurance products

CFP Certification aims at providing individuals with knowledge and skills in ALL areas of financial planning. Additional abilities include:

  1. Ability to synthesize the collected information to develop and evaluate strategies for developing a financial plan
  2. Ability to construct, manage and review an investment portfolio
  3. Ability to assess collected information to formulate advice in ALL areas of financial planning

The following table illustrates the core content of the AFP Certification and CFP Certification: