CSI provides you with three routes towards achieving the CFP designation. Each of these routes meets the CFP professional and is tailored to the intricacies of the industry (banking, mutual fund dealer or investment dealer) it is designed for. It is recommended that students opt for the route of the industry they work in or aspire to, as that route is best structured and nuanced for that particular field.
Stream 1: CFP® Certification Route for Bankers
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC®)® or Investment Funds in Canada (IFC)
- Financial Planning I (FP I)
- Financial Planning II (FP II)
Successful completion of the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) or Investment Funds in Canada (IFC), Financial Planning I (FP I) and Financial Planning II (FP II) prepares and qualifies you to write the Financial Planning Exam Level 1 (FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning).
Stream 2: CFP® Certification Route for Mutual Fund Representatives (MFDA)
- Investment Funds in Canada (IFC) or Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) ® (or Canadian Investment Funds Course or Canadian Funds Course)
- Fundamentals of Financial Planning
- Building a Mutual Funds Advisory Practice
- Financial Planning Supplement
Successful completion of the Investment Funds in Canada or the Canadian Securities Course (or the Canadian Investment Funds Course or Canadian Funds Course), the Fundamentals of Financial Planning, and the Building a Mutual Funds Advisory Practice grants you the Certificate in Advanced Mutual Funds Advice. With the addition of the Financial Planning Supplement this route qualifies you to write the FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning.
Stream 3: CFP® Certification Route for Investment Advisors (IIROC)
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC®)®
- Wealth Management Essentials (WME)®
- WME-Financial Planning Supplement or Financial Planning Supplement
Successful completion of the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®), the Wealth Management Essentials (WME) and the WME-Financial Planning Supplement or Financial Planning Supplement prepares and qualifies you to write the Financial Planning Exam Level 1 (FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning).
Please note:
Candidates must attempt the CFP Examination within four years of completing their last CSI course en route to CFP certification, without exception.
Candidates must also complete an FPSC-approved Capstone Course before writing the Financial Planning Examination Level 2 (FPE2®).
To write the the FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning or CFP(®) Examination, you must register directly with FPSC. Please note that FPSC will not accept faxes or web transcripts from individual students. You must request that CSI email a copy of your web transcript to exam1@fpsc.ca. This can be done online by logging into your student profile and accessing your transcript through the Notice Access Centre.
Additional benefits of CSI’s route for challenging the CFP examinations (FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning or CFP(®) Examination):
- Meets continuing education (CE) requirements from securities industry regulators and financial planning professional associations*.
For details on how to earn the CFP designation, please visit the Financial Planning Standards Council Web site.
STUDY AIDS
Important Information From FPSC
Students enrolled in a CSI education stream leading to CFP® certification are eligible for free access to a new online service offered by Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC). FPSC Online Resources offer access to exclusive content and interactive tools to help in the process of learning and gaining necessary work experience on the path to CFP certification.
Student resources include sample examination questions, a job board identifying financial planning positions available for students, upcoming financial planning events, including relevant conferences and seminars, and discussion forums. As well, a progress indicator will show CSI students exactly where they are along the path to CFP certification, including the percentage of requirements completed and the next steps to be taken.
To learn how to get access to FPSC Online Resources or if you have any questions, please contact FPSC by emailing Hellen Kountouros at hkountouros@fpsc.ca.
1 The CFP designation is not awarded by CSI. It is granted under license by the Financial Planning Standards Council to those who have met its educational standards, passed the FPSC Level 1 (™) Examination in Financial Planning and CFP(®) Examination, satisfied a work experience requirement and agree to abide by FPSC Code of Ethics.
2 CFP®, Certified Financial Planner® and CFP (with flame logo) are trademarks owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Planning Standards Council is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Canada, through agreement with FPSB.