Examination
To earn the CFP Certification, all Candidates must successfully complete THREE examinations:
- CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level)
- CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1)
- CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2)
The examinations are designed to assess a Candidate's ability in applying the financial planning knowledge and skills learned from the education programs. Examination questions are based on knowledge, skills and abilities required of financial planners in Hong Kong (For details, please see the Financial Planner Competency Profile Report) and are developed by academics and industry experts to ensure the questions reflect real-world financial planning. Passing the examinations demonstrate an examinee's proficiency in knowledge, skills and abilities related to financial planning.
All examinations are in the format of multiple choice questions.
Pre-requisites to the Examinations
The CFP Certification process starts with the Foundation Level Examination. There is no education pre-requisite for this examination.
Candidates are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Level Paper 1 after they have
- passed, or are exempted from the Foundation Level Examination; and
- completed, or are exempted from Course 1, 2 and 3 of the Education Program
Candidates are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Level Paper 2 after they have
- passed, or are exempted from the Foundation Level Examination; and
- completed, or are exempted from Course 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Education Program
Exemption from the Examinations
Candidates may qualify for exemption from the Foundation Level Examination if they are holders of certain academic or professional credentials (e.g. AFP Certification). Please refer to "pathway to CFP certification" for qualifications eligible for the exemption.
No exemption is allowed for the Advanced Level Paper 1 and Advanced Level Paper 2 Examination.
Examination Coverage
You are highly recommended to review the Examination Syllabus to get yourself familiarize with the examination topics and weightings. You may also refer to the sample questions to help familiarise yourself with the form and style of questions which you may see in the examinations.
Examination Frequency
CFP Certification Examination (Foundation Level), CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 1) and CFP Certification Examination (Advanced Level Paper 2) will be held FOUR TIMES per year usually in MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER and DECEMBER.
You may refer to the Examination Time Schedule for details of upcoming examinations.
Grading
All questions in the examination are of equal marks. Each exam is graded independently and the result of one exam does not affect another. The CFP Certification Examinations are graded PASS or FAIL. Examinees who are unable to attend the examination will be regarded as ABSENT.
Re-examination and Time Limit
Examinees are only required to re-sit the paper which they failed. There is no limit on the maximum number of re-sit examinations that an examinee can take for any one of the papers. Re-sit examinees may enjoy an examination fee reduction.
Examination Results
Examination results are normally available within six weeks after the examination. A notification email will be sent to examinees to notify them of the release of examination results.
Examination Enrollment
Check upcoming examination dates and secure your spot using our online enrollment link.
For details of the CFP Certification Examination, you may download the Examination Handbook.