Almost seven in ten of the 2,926 candidates who took the CFP Certification Exam in July passed.
The CFP Board stats show that the 67% pass rate was the highest since July 2015 (70%), although the exam blueprint has been updated twice since, in March 2016 and March 2022.
Ten states accounted for more than half (1,562) of those taking the exam last month - California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Colorado, Ohio and Massachusetts – although the individual states’ pass rates is not reported.
Asked after the exam why they wanted to gain CFP Certification, 41% said to demonstrate experience on the job (41%), and 25% said to distinguish themselves as a fiduciary.
Firms showed strong support for their candidates with 77% of exam takers saying they had received some financial support from their employer during the examination process.
"As CFP Board continues to foster growth in the financial planning profession, we are committed to providing access to the tools CFP® certification candidates need to prepare for the exam," said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. "Congratulations to candidates from across the country for passing this rigorous exam."
Exam takers from last month’s round were asked how they prepared for the examination.
The top answers included:
Other resources used included CFP Board supplementary resources and guidance documents, the CFP Board Candidate Forum and webinars.
MyComplianceOffice's AI-assisted surveillance links employee chats on Slack and Telegram with prediction market trades as Wall Street tightens rules
Elsewhere, Raymond James absorbs a family-run practice from Commonwealth into its independent channel, while RBC welcomes a father-son tandem formerly from UBS.
Fuel-driven inflation drove the supersized adjustment, but advocates say retirees are still losing ground as trust fund insolvency nears.
State mandates and plan complexity are opening doors for financial advisors in the 401 market.
New LIMRA data reveal a stubborn advice gap that financial professionals are well-positioned to close.
Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.
As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor
