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What is Personal Financial Planner (PFP®)?

The Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation is a leading credential for comprehensive financial planning in Canada, recognized by Canada’s largest financial institutions. It ensures that financial professionals have the knowledge and skills to address all aspects of a client’s financial situation.

When you earn the PFP®, you will hold the premier designation recognized and adopted by Canada’s largest financial institutions, and held to the highest standards through its ISO 17024 accreditation.

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What is the path to the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation?

CSI offers three paths to achieve the PFP® designation. We also offer various paths through our partner post-secondary institutions.

Pathway for Banking and Credit Union Employees

Pathway for Investment Advisors

Pathway for Independent Mutual Fund Advisors1

1 Note: Students who completed both the BMAP and FOFP courses instead of the Advanced Mutual Funds Advice Program are also on the pathway to the Personal Financial Planner designation.

*Requires successful completion of AMFA Examination. CFSA is not a requirement to continue on the PFP® pathway.

Mohawk College Route

2 Year Diploma in Financial Services

Seneca College Routes

Route 1 : Business Administration - Financial Planning (BAF)

Route 2 : Financial Planning (FIP)

Route 3 : Financial Services Management (FSM)

Fanshawe College Routes

Route 1 : Business-Finance Diploma (BFN4/5)

Route 2 : Collaborative Program with King's (BFN6/7)

Route 3 : Post-Grad Certificate Program (FSP1)

5 Year Rule

The PFP® learning path must be completed no more than 5 years before enrolling to write the Applied Financial Planning (AFP) Certification Examination. If an individual has exceeded the 5-year timeline, the Financial Planning II course, Financial Planning Integration Course (or another approved course) must be taken to upgrade knowledge. (Note: If your enrolment in the AFP Certification Examination expires prior to your writing the examination(s), the 5-year rule is applied back to the original time of completion of your learning path.)

Advanced Standing Information for F.Pl. or CFP® Designation Holders

Individuals who hold the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) or F.Pl. designation granted by the Insitut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) may apply directly to write the AFP Certification Examination. Candidates will be required to provide proof of the good standing of their qualifications and must meet all other PFP® designation requirements.

Course Exemptions

Individuals who have completed recognized financial planning courses from educational providers other than CSI can apply for course exemptions. Use the Exemption Request Form to apply for a course exemption.

Course providers that would like to have their programs assessed for approval as an educational route to the PFP® should contact CSI after reviewing the accreditation information.