The 4 step process to becoming a certified financial planner

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Larson Wealth Management LLC
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The 4-Step Process to Becoming a Certified
Financial Planner
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• The Certified Financial Planner certification has
  become the standard of excellence in financial
  planning, and getting your CFP certification
  will help you stand out as an expert and attract
  more clients to your business. However, there are
  some requirements and steps you need to take to
  achieve this prestigious credential. Heres the
  four-step process to becoming a Certified
  Financial Planner.
• 1) What Does It Mean To Be Certified Financial
  Planner?
• The Certified Financial Planner Board of
  Standards Inc. (CFP Board) is an independent,
  not-for-profit organization created in 1983 by
  representatives of 13 financial planning
  organizations and individuals concerned about
  protecting the public interest. To become
  certified, candidates must complete several
  hundred hours of training and experience and pass
  an exam. There are three different levels
  Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), Certified
  Financial Planner (CFP), and Chartered
  Financial Consultant (ChFC).

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What's Required For Each Class?

• To become a PFS, you need to take 60 hours of
  education plus 12 months of full-time or 30
  months of part-time experience working with
  clients. If you already have two years of
  experience under your belt, all you need to do is
  pass an exam. To become a CFP, you need to
  complete 72 education hours and 18 months of work
  experienceor 24 months if its related to
  finances. And ChFC? Youll learn everything from
  Estate Planning and Retirement Income Strategies
  to Wealth Management and Investment Planningand
  again, if your experience qualifies, take an exam.

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2) Why Get Certified?

• Achieving CFP certification is difficult.
  Candidates must pass three separate, rigorous
  exams that test their knowledge of personal
  finance and tax planning, investments, insurance,
  retirement planning, and estate planning. The
  average candidate spends 400 hours preparing for
  these exams. As one can imagine, failure rates
  are high most candidates dont even make it past
  Step 1. Given how demanding CFP is to earn,
  having CFP on your business card is worth its
  weight in gold. It says you have mastered complex
  financial concepts, met professional ethics
  standards, and passed stringent testingall while
  maintaining your integrity. It also attracts
  clients who seek out Certified Financial
  Planners when they need help with critical
  financial decisions.
• Finally, being certified gives you an edge over
  other advisers who arent CFP certified but are
  still operating in your area. If you want to stay
  competitive in todays marketplace, getting that
  CFP behind your name should be at the top of
  your list.

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3) How Do I Become Certified?

• Becoming certified requires the following
  four steps
• You are getting your education in financial
  planning, which generally takes between two and
  three years.
• You need to pass an exam administered by the
  Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards,
  Inc., formerly NAPFA. After that, you need at
  least two years of experience in financial
  planning under your belt.
• You need to pay an annual renewal fee every year
  after that if you want to maintain your status.
• The cost for all four steps combined can be
  upwards of 10K or more depending on where you
  get your education and how long it takes to
  complete each step. Many professionals find
  theyre taking courses right up until they go for
  their certification. If those numbers seem steep,
  keep in mind that those who have achieved
  certification have been recognized as having met
  a higher standard than those who haventand
  passing through all four steps has required
  thousands of hours worth of effort. Getting
  certified is serious business there arent any
  shortcuts, no matter what anyone tells you.

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4) Where Can I Get More Certification Information?

• The best way to learn more about certification is
  to reach out directly. The CFP Board has
  information about financial planning
  certification that can help you decide if its
  right for you, and there are many free resources
  available online, including webinars and an
  online FAQ page that covers everything from
  application requirements to exam content.
• You can also connect with a local chapter of The
  Financial Planning Association, where you can
  meet with other professionals in your area and
  ask questions. Because each of these
  organizations is committed to professional
  development through education, pursuing a career
  in financial planning may lead you towards
  additional certifications or licenses throughout
  your career, including courses from reputable
  universities or continuing education
  opportunities from professional associations.
• For those just starting, there are entry-level
  credentials such as Certified Personal Finance
  Specialist (CPFS) and Registered Financial
  Consultant (RFC). Both offer a strong base of
  knowledge in personal finance principles that
  will prepare you well for further training and
  growing as a financial advisor or planner.

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Contact Us -

• Address - 4500 S. Lakeshore Dr., Suite 364 Tempe
  AZ 85282
• Phone - [phone]
• Email - don_at_larsonwm.com
• Website - https//larsonwm.com/
• Blog - https//larsonwm.com/the-4-step-process-to-
  becoming-a-certified-financial-planner/