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General
How should I start if I wish to enroll to the AFP Certification?
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 AFP Certification?
I am an undergraduate student, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the AFP Certification?
I have a Master's Degree, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the AFP Certification?
I am a member of a professional body, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the AFP Certification?
Education
Where can I take the AFP Certification Education Program?
How often will the education providers offer the AFP Certification Education Program?
Where can I get the education curriculum?
Can I self study the AFP Certification Education Program?
Examination
Where can I get the syllabus of the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
How much is the fee for CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
If I am taking the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) through "Fast-track to CFP Certification", what study support will I get?
How often will the IFPHK offer the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
Is the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) paper bilingual?
How many questions are there in the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
What is the time allowed for the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
What are the pass scores of the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
If I fail the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level), 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 AFP Certification?
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?
What are the certification fees for the AFP Certification?
Others
What is the difference between an AFP Certification and a CFP Certification?

General

How should I start if I wish to enroll to the AFP Certification?
It is compulsory for all individuals to register with the IFPHK as a Candidate before one is eligible to proceed with his/her AFP 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 and examination schedules and much more.

The AFP Certification consists of a 120-hour education program and a three-hour examination paper.  The IFPHK recognizes your academic and professional qualifications and depending on your background, your may be allowed self study for the examination.   Please refer to information on the requirements for AFP 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 AFP Certification, individuals must maintain continuous annual registration until he/she becomes an AFP 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 AFP Certification?
Graduates with Bachelor's Degrees awarded by accredited educational institutions can self-study through the AFP Certification Education Program, and directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level). 

I am an undergraduate student, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the AFP Certification?
Students studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree awarded by an accredited education institution can self-study through the AFP Certification Education Program CONDITIONALLY. 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 education requirement for AFP 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 AFP Certification?
Master's Degree holders in Economics or Business Administration awarded by accredited education institutions can self-study through the AFP Certification Education Program, and directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level). 

I am a member of a professional body, what is my entry route if I am interested in obtaining the AFP Certification?
Depending on which professional designation you possess, you may be eligible to self-study through the AFP Certification Education Program, and directly attempt the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level).  You may refer to the Lists of "Fast-track to CFP Certification" for further information. 

Education

Where can I take the AFP 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):

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

How often will the education providers offer the AFP 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?
Click here for the education curriculum.

Can I self study the AFP Certification Education Program?
Self-study is only offered to Candidates with Bachelor's Degrees or above awarded by accredited educational institutions and holders 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 Sub-Degree/Higher Diploma program that are eligible for applying transcript review, you may be exempted from taking the education program.

Examination

Where can I get the syllabus of the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
The Examination Syllabus is available at the IFPHK website.

How much is the fee for CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
Click here for the current examination fees for CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level).

If I am taking the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) 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 examination questions.

How often will the IFPHK offer the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
The CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) will be offered TWICE per year, usually in June and December. Enrolment will usually start two months before the examination date.

Is the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) 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 Examination (Foundation Level)?
CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) consists of around 90 - 100 multiple choice questions.

What is the time allowed for the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
The time allowed for CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) is 3-hour.

What are the pass scores of the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)?
The pass scores for the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level) 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 Examination (Foundation Level), 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. 

Certification

What are the certification requirements for the AFP Certification?
You need to fulfill 4E requirements being that you have to:

· Complete the AFP Certification Education Program;
· Pass the CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level);
· Possess ONE year 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 AFP Certification?
Click here for details of the certification fees.

Others

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:

  • Ability to identify the client’s objectives, needs and values
  • Ability to identify and collect information required for making financial advice
  • 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:

  • Ability to synthesize the collected information to develop and evaluate strategies for developing a financial plan
  • Ability to construct, manage and review an investment portfolio
  • 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 the CFP Certification: