The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards announced a 58% pass rate among those who took the March 2005 CFP certification exam.
   Of the 2,117 people who took the 10-hour, two-day exam, 1,222 received a passing mark. The exam was conducted at 50 sites nationwide.

   Since the comprehensive format of the exam was adopted in 1995, 38,765 people have sat for the exam and 28,778 have passed either on their first try or in subsequent attempts, according to the CFP Board.
   The cumulative pass rate is 74%.
   The next exam will be held July 15-16 for candidates who have qualified to sit for the exam by meeting the CFP Board's education requirements, according to the board. Applications for the November 18-19 exam are due October 5.
   The CFP Board also announced the registration of nine new financial planning education programs, bringing the total number of CFP Board-registered programs to 313 at 190 colleges and universities.
   The programs were registered at the following accredited institutions: Campbell University, Buies Creek, N.C.; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.; Fordham University, New York; North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.; Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pa.; University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Ark.; University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C., and St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia.
   Students who successfully complete the financial planning curriculum at any of the board-registered programs are eligible to sit for the CFP certification exam.