People often ask what CFP Board does beyond certifying financial planners. It's a fair question.
The honest answer is more than most people realize.
Our spring Public Awareness Campaign is running now. The reach is strong — network TV, streaming, digital, audio and major national publications. CFP Board
Ambassadors appeared on FOX & Friends Weekend on April 11 and are scheduled to appear on Good Morning America on April 29. If you haven’t updated your LetsMakeAPlan.org profile, now is the time. In 2025, 3.7 million people visited the site.
We know the campaign works. Our fall commercial achieved 74% unaided brand recall, four times the financial services norm. Preference for working with a CFP® professional has climbed from 22% to 81% over the life of the campaign. CFP® certification has earned its relevance.
The opportunity now is influence.
The Public Awareness Campaign is one way we build influence. Our research is another. When CFP Board publishes findings on financial planning outcomes and household financial behavior, it gives CFP® professionals credible ground to stand on with clients, employers and peers. The research also shapes how financial planning is understood beyond the client conversation, and where the profession carries weight.
And then there's public policy. Our team is active on Capitol Hill and engaged across the U.S., working to ensure CFP® professionals have a voice in the decisions that affect their profession and the people they serve. That work doesn't always make headlines, but it drives outcomes.
These efforts reinforce one another. The campaign builds visibility. Research adds substance. Policy work gives the profession a voice.
That shows up in real ways for CFP® professionals: stronger client conversations, clearer differentiation in a crowded marketplace and more weight behind the CFP® marks.
This is how the profession extends its influence.
Save the Date: Connections Conference 2026
Advise With Purpose. Plan With Precision.
Mark your calendar for the third annual CFP Board Connections Conference, October 5-7, 2026, at ARIA® in Las Vegas. This premier gathering brings together the entire financial planning profession, including CFP® professionals, firm leaders, candidates for CFP® certification, Registered Program faculty, financial planning researchers and academics, and students, to exchange ideas, spark innovation and build meaningful CONNECTIONS. Registration opens in early May — don’t miss a beat! Bookmark CFP.net/Connections26 to stay up to date.
Interested in sponsoring? This year’s opportunities offer increased visibility with a dedicated exhibit hall and 10+ hours of uninterrupted networking time. Learn more.
New Commission to Address Criminal Expungement
The Board of Directors recently approved a Criminal Expungement Commission to develop and recommend a proposed standard for how CFP Board will address expunged criminal convictions in upholding the Ethics standard for CFP® certification. The Commission includes representatives from financial services firms and members of the public. Learn more.
CIMA® Now Opens Door to the Accelerated Path
Professionals who hold the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation are now eligible for the Accelerated Path to CFP® certification. This pathway allows CIMA® holders to bypass education coursework. To earn CFP® certification, CIMA® holders must still complete the Capstone course or Capstone Alternative, pass the CFP® exam, meet the experience requirement and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. Learn more about the Accelerated Path.
Navigating the Accelerated Path Starts Here
If you hold a qualifying credential for the Accelerated Path, including CIMA®, the upcoming CFP® Pro Career Studio is designed for you! This live, two-session webinar will connect you with CFP® professionals who have completed the Accelerated Path along with CFP Board staff to answer your questions and help you navigate the process. Register now.
New Campaign Aims to Inspire the Next Generation
The next phase of “Quite Possibly the Perfect Job” launched this week, aimed at inspiring college students to consider careers in financial planning. The new campaign is grounded in research with college students, students enrolled in Registered Programs and CFP® professionals. Built around a “financial superhero” theme, the campaign highlights the impact and purpose of the profession — helping others while building a rewarding career. Explore the campaign and view the digital ads.
Washington Update
With cherry blossoms past peak bloom and Congress back from a two-week recess, Washington is buzzing, and CFP Board’s Public Policy team is in the middle of it. We’ve been active on multiple fronts, weighing in with regulators, working with Congress on issues such as financial literacy and elder fraud, and digging into the Department of Labor’s proposed rule on alternative assets for defined contribution plans. Read more in the full April 2026 Public Policy Update.
On the Hill: CFP® Professional Testifies on Protecting Seniors
Left to right: CFP Board General Counsel Leo G. Rydzewski, JD, CAE; CFP Board Senior Manager of Government Relations and Public Policy Guneev Sharma; Scott Kahan, CFP®; Sen. Rick Scott, R.-Fla., Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging; and CFP Board Managing Director of Government Relations and Public Policy Counsel Erin Koeppel, JD.
On April 15, Scott Kahan, CFP® testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on “Empowering Seniors Through Financial Literacy: Tools to Protect Savings, Prevent Fraud and Promote Independence.” In his testimony, Kahan emphasized the role of financial literacy and access to trusted advice in helping older Americans protect their savings and maintain independence in retirement. He also underscored the importance of expanding access to competent, ethical financial planning and upholding the fiduciary standard. Watch his testimony here.
Record Momentum: March 2026 CFP® Exam Sets All-Time High
The March CFP® exam set a new record, with 4,391 candidates — the largest exam administration in CFP Board history. It also marked new racially and ethnically diverse candidates (908) and women candidates (1,240). The pass rate for the March 2026 exam was 67%. Read more.
Know someone ready to sit for the CFP® exam this summer? Registration is now open for the July exam. The July testing window runs from July 14-July 21. Learn more and register at CFP.net/exam.
From LetsMakeAPlan.org: 'What Your Tax Return Reveals About Your Financial Health'
Tax returns can be a powerful indicator of financial health, but few taxpayers read into these insights. From evaluating retirement contributions and investments to spotting missed deductions, a W-2 can reveal opportunities to strengthen a client’s financial plan. Jamie Clark, CFP® shares practical ways to turn tax-time information into smarter planning decisions.
Pro Bono Update: Make Your Impact Count by Reporting Your Pro Bono Hours
Spring is the perfect time to take stock, and that includes the impact you're making. Every hour of pro bono financial planning expands access to advice and strengthens the profession. Reporting your hours ensures that impact is recognized and helps demonstrate the collective reach of CFP® professionals.
Consider including CFP Board Center for Financial Planning in your 2026 charitable giving plans. The Center expands access to CFP® certification, strengthens the talent pipeline and helps more Americans benefit from competent, ethical financial planning advice. Support this work with a charitable gift through your CFP Board Account or at CFP.net/donate.
At CFP Board, we believe each employee contributes directly to our organization's growth and success. We're currently looking to fill several positions in our Washington, DC, office. View the list of currently open positions, and please share these opportunities with your colleagues who may be interested.
