Knowledge centre
Straight answers about CFP certification
No enquiry form in the way. Read what you need and decide for yourself.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most often, answered plainly.
What is CFP certification?
CFP stands for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER. It is a professional certification in financial planning, awarded in India by FPSB India and recognised across 29 territories worldwide. It covers investment planning, retirement and tax planning, risk and estate planning, and how to bring all of those together into a single plan for a client.
How many exams does CFP have in India?
Four. Three FPSB specialist certification exams, covering investment planning, retirement and tax planning, and risk and estate planning, followed by the Integrated Financial Planning exam that awards the CFP charter. There is also a mandatory Psychology in Financial Planning module, which is self-paced with no separate exam.
Who is eligible for CFP certification?
The regular pathway is open to anyone aged 18 or over who has completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification, with no prior finance experience required. The fast track pathway needs a recognised qualification such as a postgraduate degree or MBA in finance, CA (Inter), CFA, CPA, CMA, CS, ICWA, ACCA or CAIIB, together with three years of relevant industry experience.
How long does CFP certification take?
Most regular pathway candidates finish in about a year and most fast track candidates in around six months. FPSB India allows three years from enrolment to complete all education and exams, so there is room in the schedule if work gets busy.
What does CFP certification cost in India?
Coaching at IIFC costs approximately Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh, including discount coupons worth Rs 16,250. FPSB India charges separately for registration, e-books, each exam attempt, the specialist certification, the psychology course and the final assessment bundle.
What do CFP professionals earn in India?
CFP professionals in India typically earn between Rs 8 and Rs 15 lakh a year within three years of certifying, with top performers at wealth firms crossing Rs 25 lakh. India currently has 3,534 certified financial planners against an FPSB target of 10,000 by 2027-28.
Where are the CFP exams held?
CFP exams are computer based and can be taken online proctored from home through the Mettle platform, or in person at DEXIT test centres across India. Specialist exam windows run in the third week of every month.
Long form guides
Written by our mentors, for people still deciding whether the qualification is worth it.
What is a Certified Financial Planner?
Complete guide
What the certification is, who awards it, what the four FPSB exams cover, who is eligible and what the qualification is actually worth in the Indian market.
CFA against CFP against an MBA in finance
Comparison
Cost, duration, pass rates and career outcomes for the three routes most people weigh up before choosing one. CFP runs to roughly Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh against Rs 3.5 to 6.5 lakh for a CFA.
Seven things people get wrong about CFP
Myths
The assumptions that stop capable people from starting, including who it is for, how hard the exams are and whether a finance degree is required.
Go straight to the detail
Fees and payment
What coaching costs, what FPSB charges separately
Regular pathway
One year, three specialist exams then the final
Fast track pathway
Six months, exempt from the specialist exams
Results
416+ certified, and where they work now
Still not sure which pathway fits?
One call with a mentor covers eligibility, fees and batch dates. If CFP is the wrong qualification for your goal, we will say so.