Top Financial Planning Certifications

Financial planning is a broad profession, and there are many different paths you can take during your career. As you learn more about the specific niches and opportunities available, you can decide which skills to focus on so you can serve your ideal clientele.

Part of choosing your career path is deciding which financial planning certifications and designations you want to pursue. There are many different credentials that can help prepare you to work with specific types of clients.

So, how do you decide which certifications to get? Use this overview of each one to decide which credentials align with your career goals.

CFP® Certification

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification is one of the most important credentials to pursue if you want to work as a financial planner.

What it is: To earn your CFP® certification, you must fulfill CFP Board’s requirements for education and experience. Doing so will give you a good understanding of the essentials of financial planning, investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate planning.
Why pursue it: This credential is often considered the gold standard in financial planning. Having your CFP® certification can make you stand out to employers, giving you more career opportunities and higher earning potential. It also builds trust with clients because CFP® professionals are fiduciaries required to act in their clients’ best interests.
Requirements:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and complete CFP Board-approved coursework
- Pass the CFP® exam
- Earn 4,000 or 6,000 hours of qualifying professional experience
- Pass a background check and sign the ethics declaration
Learn more: CFP Board

Chartered Financial Analyst®

Completing the CFA program allows you to become a CFA® charterholder, which prepares you for a career as an investment specialist.

What it is: A CFA charter focuses on the investing side of financial planning and prepares financial planners for careers in portfolio management, consulting, hedge funds, risk analysis, asset management, and investment banking. It’s a renowned credential recognized around the world as a sign of investment expertise.
Why pursue it: Earning your CFA designation sets you up for a strong career specializing in investments. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge in this sector and show potential clients that they can rely on your expertise to guide their investment decisions. Additionally, you can grow your earning potential and stand out to potential employers.
Requirements:
- Pass a three-part exam
- Earn qualified work experience
- Submit professional reference letters with your application to the CFP Institute.
Learn more: CFA Institute

Chartered Financial Consultant®

The ChFC® Program is similar to CFP® certification — a comprehensive program that covers a broad range of financial planning topics.

What it is: The ChFC® designation also indicates specialized knowledge in some advanced areas of financial planning. To earn your ChFC® credential, you must learn about behavioral finance, small business planning, and non-traditional family structures.
Why pursue it: This is a widely recognized credential that indicates advanced education and a thorough understanding of financial planning. It’s a good choice if you want to specialize in a niche that serves specific types of clients, like those who don’t fit the traditional demographic. You can earn a ChFC® designation instead of or along with your CFP® certification.
Requirements:
- Complete three specific courses
- Pass the ChFC® exam
- Agree to the code of ethics
- Participate in an annual recertification program
Learn more: The American College of Financial Services

Accredited Financial Counselor®

The AFC® certification program is designed for those who want to specialize in financial counseling and coaching to help their clients build practical money management skills and make wise financial decisions.

What it is: This certification gives financial planners the knowledge and skills to help educate their clients on financial management and provide customized guidance.
Why pursue it: If you are passionate about helping your clients understand their money better, earning your AFC® certification could be a good choice. This certification is one of the most respected credentials in the field of financial education and counseling.
Requirements:
- Meet the education requirements
- Pass the exam
- Earn 1,000 qualified experience hours
- Sign the AFCPE code of ethics
Learn more: Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education

Enrolled Agent

An enrolled agent has the knowledge and authorization to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service.

What it is: This designation is the highest credential that the IRS awards. Earning it involves becoming an expert in individual or business tax returns.
Why pursue it: If you want to specialize in tax planning and preparation, this is a valuable credential to pursue. You’ll set yourself up as a trustworthy expert who can help clients with their personal or business taxes, including filing and dispute resolution.
Requirements:
- Pass the three-part exam or meet experience requirements via IRS employment
- Complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years
- Agree to ethical standards
Learn more: Internal Revenue Service

Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP®)

If you are a financial advisor, you can complete the certified student loan advisor course to become a CSLP® — an expert who helps clients with student loan repayment.

What it is: This program focuses on student loan repayment. Completing it will help you understand various repayment options so you can design personalized student loan repayment strategies for your clients.
Why pursue it: If you want to help clients overcome student debt, this certification program is a good choice. You’ll gain specialized knowledge to help your clients avoid loan repayment mistakes and choose the best strategy to get out of student debt.
Requirements:
- Complete four self-paced online courses
- Pass the final exam
- Submit an ethics statement
Learn more: CSLA Institute Board of Standards

Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

Do you want to specialize in retirement planning? You might want to become a Retirement Income Certified Professional®.

What it is: This certification indicates that you have completed specialized training in retirement income planning. The RICP® program prepares you to help your clients with various aspects of retirement planning, including Social Security, taxes, estate planning, and long-term care costs.
Why pursue it: If you plan on working primarily with retirees or those who are planning for retirement, this certification can be a good investment. Having the credential helps you stand out from other candidates who don’t have specialized knowledge and shows clients they can trust you with their retirement plans.
Requirements:
- Have three years of experience in financial planning
- Complete three required courses
- Agree to comply with the code of ethics
- Participate in an annual recertification program
Learn more: The American College of Financial Services

Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)

A ChSNC® professional helps clients with special needs and those who are caregivers for loved ones with special needs.

What it is: The ChSNC® designation indicates professionals who have to handle financial planning for clients with special needs. You’ll gain experience with issues such as tax planning, SSI benefits, special needs trusts, government benefits, life insurance, and long-term care planning.
Why pursue it: If you want to help individuals and families with special needs, this is a crucial certification to pursue. These types of clients often have complex financial circumstances that require specialized knowledge. Earning this certification shows that you have the skills to address their specific needs.
Requirements:
- Have five years of professional experience in financial services or law OR four years of relevant experience plus a bachelor’s degree
- Complete three required courses
- Agree to comply with the code of ethics
- Participate in an annual recertification program
Learn more: The American College of Financial Services

Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®)

The CIMA® certification is an excellent choice if you want to specialize in wealth management and provide expert-level investment advice.

What it is: The Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification reflects the highest level of investment education open to financial advisors who work directly with clients.
Why pursue it: Earning your CIMA® certification shows employers and advisors that you have the expertise to support high-net-worth clients. You’ll have the skills to offer guidance to sophisticated investors who aren’t willing to trust their wealth to anyone except an expert. A CIMA® certification can increase your earning potential and qualify you for employment at elite firms.
Requirements:
- Complete the CIMA® education program through a qualified institution
- Pass the four-hour exam
- Pass two background checks and document three years of eligible work experience
- Sign the Code of Professional Responsibility
Learn more: Investments & Wealth Institute

Certified Financial Transitionist® (CeFT®)

A Certified Financial Transitionist® helps support clients who are in transition periods and need personal and financial guidance.

What it is: The CeFT® certification provides training to help you assist clients going through major life transitions such as retirement, inheritance, divorce, or selling a business.
Why pursue it: If you want to help clients with more than just financial decisions, the CeFT® certification may be beneficial. To earn this credential, you’ll learn how emotions and finances are connected, especially during times of transition. The program helps you build technical and interpersonal skills and can help you gain an edge when it comes to attracting clients with complex situations.
Requirements:
- Have a relevant certification (CFA®, CFP® certification, CIMA®, etc.)
- Complete a full year of Financial Transitions Planning training
- Pass the six-hour exam
- Be a member of FTI and complete annual continuing education credits
Learn more: Financial Transitionist Institute

Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS®)

The CWS® certification indicates a financial planner who has the training and skills to serve high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

What it is: A Certified Wealth Strategist® has completed specialized training to help affluent clients navigate complicated financial situations. This certification program includes training in wealth management strategies, tax optimization, asset protection, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
Why pursue it: Completing this program shows that you are equipped to serve extremely wealthy clients and help them navigate the complex issues that they face. Earning the certification requires practical knowledge and strong relationship skills, which can help you attract and retain loyal clients and qualify you for jobs and top-level firms.

Requirements:
- Have three years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree or have five years of relevant experience
- Take online courses
- Complete a CWS® Capstone Project
- Pass the three-hour exam
- Sign the code of conduct
Learn more: Cannon Financial Institute

Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®)

An Accredited Asset Management Specialist® has completed extra education on investment strategies and how they impact taxes, retirement, and estate planning.

What it is: The AAMS® certification shows that you have specific knowledge about investment management and can help clients with holistic strategies that encompass every aspect of their finances.
Why pursue it: With specialized knowledge in asset management and investments, you can attract new clients and find exciting career opportunities. Additionally, this is a relatively fast professional development program to complete, and your time counts as continuing education hours if you already have your CFP® certification.
Requirements:
- Take online classes
- Pass the exam
- Complete continuing education credits every two years
Learn more: College for Financial Planning

Find Support and Resources to Grow Your Career

There are so many professional certifications you can pursue as you grow your financial planning career. Each one allows you to deepen your knowledge in a specific niche and prepare to serve clients with unique needs.

Earning these certifications can also open up new opportunities and help you land your dream job — or open up your own firm to work with the clients you want to serve!

No matter where you are in your career, there’s always more to learn. Here at Amplified Planning, we help financial professionals at all levels grow their skills and learn how to serve their clients with excellence. For full access to our educational resources, career guidance, and community events, join Amplified Planning CORE!