Professional Certification Resources
Useful Resources About the College's Certification Marks
Earning a professional designation from the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is a significant achievement that demonstrates your commitment to excellence in the financial services industry. Below, you’ll find guidance on renewal timelines, reinstatement procedures, and how to take the appropriate steps if you choose to relinquish your designation. Whether you’re newly designated or navigating the renewal process, this resource ensures you stay on track and in good standing.
Communicate Your Professional Certification Accomplishment
The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company has developed this Professional Designations Toolkit to support our professional certification holders in creating communications and awareness about the credential(s) you have earned and what that means to the clients you serve. This toolkit contains ideas for how to communicate your recent educational accomplishments and other resources.
Designation Resources
Find a qualified financial advisor near you who offers expert guidance. Easily locate advisors who have completed the academic requirements of professional designation programs from the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company— and are officially credentialed by the College.
Search for a Financial Advisor
Renew a Professional Certification
Following the initial conferment of one of the College for Financial Planning®—A Kaplan Company’s professional certifications and designations, authorization for continued use of the credential must be renewed every 2 years.
To avoid possible suspension of your certification or designation, click here to review and become familiar with renewal requirements.
Designations are eligible for renewal beginning 120 days prior to the expiration date. You can complete your renewal online in less than 10 minutes by logging into your student account. If you require assistance with the process, please contact the Student Support Department at 800-237-9990, option #2
Reinstatement Steps
Students who do not complete the renewal within 2 years of the renewal date become ineligible for renewal and enter the reinstatement period. Those in the reinstatement period, which spans 2 to 6 years from their renewal date, can petition for reinstatement by fulfilling all outstanding reinstatement requirements and paying any applicable fees.
To complete the reinstatement process, students need to fill out the renewal application available in the portal and attest to having completed 16 continuing education (CE) credits.
Access your student account to initiate the reinstatement process: Login here
If you are unable to process your reinstatement via your student portal please complete the forms below and email renewals@cffp.edu to petition for a manual reinstatement.
Please complete the following forms for review to request a reinstatement:
Provide proof of 16 credits of continuing education (CE).
Should you have any questions during this process, please don't hesitate to contact us at renewals@cffp.edu.
AWMA® Designation Petition (for current SE-AWMA designees only)
Individuals who are currently authorized to use the SE-AWMA® designation, are invited to broaden their expertise in wealth management by obtaining the AWMA® designation. To request authorization to use the AWMA® designation completion of the AWMA® Designation Petition is required to supplement your current SE-AWMA® designation application. Need assistance or have a question? Please contact us at renewals@cffp.edu.
Fill Out the form linked here to petition for additional approval to use the AWMA® designation.
Relinquish a Professional Certification
If you need to voluntarily relinquish your certification or designation from the College, please complete the designation relinquishment form.
File a Grievance Against a Designee
Individuals authorized to use one of the College for Financial Planning’s professional certifications are subject to a disciplinary process. Complaints against a designee may be filed by a designee’s client, employer, or any other individual with whom the designee has established a formal business engagement for purposes of providing asset management, retirement planning, or financial planning services to that individual. The College for Financial Planning investigates all complaints and its Ethical Conduct Committee determines whether allegations are justified and whether the conduct warrants disciplinary action.
Contact Us
If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact us directly at renewals@cffp.edu.