Financial Planning Education Program at a Glance
Use this guide to understand the program structure, choose a realistic completion pace, plan your enrollment windows and align your Capstone with a future CFP® exam administration.
Delivery
100% Online
Study on your own schedule
Instructional Hours
300 Hours
Total across all 7 courses
Curriculum
7 Courses
CFP101–CFP107
Typical Timeline
Approximately 12 Months
Using the balanced path
Course Sequence
| # | Course | Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CFP101 Foundations of Financial Planning & Client Engagement | First |
| 2 | CFP102 Insurance Planning | Core Course |
| 3 | CFP103 Investment Planning | Core Course |
| 4 | CFP104 Income Tax Planning | Core Course |
| 5 | CFP105 Retirement Savings & Income Planning | Core Course |
| 6 | CFP106 Estate Planning | Core Course |
| 7 | CFP107 Capstone: Comprehensive Financial Plan Development | Final |
Course sequence: Complete CFP101 first. Complete CFP102–CFP106 next. CFP107 Capstone is the final course and may be taken only after CFP101–CFP106 are successfully completed.
Choose Your CFP® Journey Path
Choose a pace based on your weekly availability and your target CFP® exam administration. Timelines are approximate and may vary based on start date, course load, grading and CFP Board verification deadlines.
Balanced Path
Good fit for many working professionals
Course load: 3 courses per enrollment window, generally one at a time
Estimated Path to CFP® Exam
13–16 Months
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete Coursework | 6–8 hours per week for approximately 12 months |
| Coursework to CFP® Exam | Approximately 1–4 additional months |
Accelerated Path
Good fit for participants with substantial weekly study time
Course load: Up to 6 domain courses in one enrollment window
Estimated Path to CFP® Exam
8–9 Months
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete Coursework | 12–18 hours per week for approximately 6–7 months |
| Coursework to CFP® Exam | Approximately 1–2 additional months |
Extended Path
Good fit for participants who need maximum flexibility
Course load: 1–2 courses per enrollment window
Estimated Path to CFP® Exam
18–30+ Months
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Complete Coursework | 3–6 hours per week for approximately 16–28+ months |
| Coursework to CFP® Exam | Approximately 2 additional months |
Enrollment Windows & Course-Load Cutoffs
Taking more courses in an enrollment window means starting earlier. These planning dates are reviewed annually and may change.
Enrollment Window 1
Enrollment Window
February 1–June 30
| Course Load | Start By |
|---|---|
| 3 courses | March 15 |
| 2 courses | April 1 |
| 1 course | April 15 |
Final Completion Date
June 30
Enrollment Window 2
Enrollment Window
July 1–November 30
| Course Load | Start By |
|---|---|
| 3 courses | August 15 |
| 2 courses | September 1 |
| 1 course | September 15 |
Final Completion Date
November 30
Planning note: Students taking three or more courses in an enrollment window are strongly encouraged to begin at the start of the window. After the one-course cutoff, participants will generally be advised to begin in the next enrollment window.
Capstone & CFP® Exam Planning
CFP107 Capstone is a fixed 10-week course and must be completed last. Participants must complete CFP101–CFP106 before beginning the Capstone. Choose the Capstone window that best aligns with your expected coursework completion date and target CFP® exam administration.
Winter Capstone
Capstone Timing
December–January
10 weeks
Planning Target
March CFP® Exam
Spring Capstone
Capstone Timing
April–May
10 weeks
Planning Target
July CFP® Exam
Summer Capstone
Capstone Timing
July–August
10 weeks
Planning Target
November CFP® Exam
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.