Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Find out how a CFP charter can empower you

Why do you need to have this certificate?

The most important and primary reason for anyone to do a CFP certification is for better career options and more employment options. A CFP degree communicates your expertise in the financial planning stream instantly. The certification has got a global recognition.

Which institute/body conducts the test?

Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB) is a Public - Private Enterprise and a Professional Standards Setting body. FPSB India is the principal licensing body that awards CFP Certification in India. FPSB Limited, US has entered into licensing and affiliation agreements with 23 nations. India is one of them.

How can you register for this test?

You will have to register through the FPSB website for the course. You also need to register on the NSE website and obtain a NCFM number which would have to be put on the registration form at FPSB. You need to pay the fee and submit the following documents

Signed student Registration Form

DD if opted

Qualification Documents (Minimum Qualification Certificate as required)

Photograph

Marriage Certificate or Pan Card Copy/Passport Copy in case of change of name after marriage

FPSB verifies the documents and activates the account.

What is the test pattern?

A candidate can take the examination for Exam 1-4 in any sequence but Exam 5 can only be attempted once the candidate has successfully cleared the Exams 1-4.
The first examination attempt can be taken only after expiry of mandatory 60 days lock in period that starts from the date of registration of the candidate with the FPSB, India.

What is the study material all about?

The study material covers topics like Risk Analysis & Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning & Employees Benefits, Investment Planning, and Tax Planning & Estate Planning. These topics are tested through four different exam modules. At every module there are 20 percent questions based on introduction to Financial Planning. The fifth exam tests you on advanced financial planning.

What should you look out for?

You should look out for exam 5. This tests you on case studies depicting real life scenario of individual Financial Planning situations. FPSB India uploads on their website probable case studies, out of which any two are asked in the examination. The exam tests a person on the basis of his ability to analyze client specific situations.

How is the test pattern?

The test pattern for exams 1-4:

You will have to answer a multiple choice objective type examination which is administered on-line by NSE. All questions have a question body with 4 alternative options. You need to select one. There is no negative marking.

The test pattern for exams 5:

There will be two case studies in test 5. Questions will be asked on the cases. Each question will carry pre-specified marks for each correct answer.

What do you need to do to clear the test?

You need approximately 2-3 months for clearing one exam. In all you would need about fifteen to eighteen months to become a CFP.

Where are the tests conducted?

These tests are conducted daily at 30 NSE centers from Monday to Saturday.

Some key facts about the Exam
No of questions	75 questions of 1, 2 and 4 marks for tests 1-4 and 15 questions of 2,3,4 and 5 marks in test 5
Maximum Marks	140 for 1-4 and 50 for 5
Duration	120 minutes for tests 1-4 and 240 minutes for test 5
Certificate Validity	1 year. The certificate needs to be renewed every year.
Passing Score	60% or greater for test 1-4 and 50% or greater for test 5.
Test Fees	Rs 2000/- for tests 1-4 and Rs 5000/- for test 5.
Website URL	http://www.fpsb.co.in
Difficulty Level	Requires some hard work and application