The next exam offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards will be held March 9 through March 16, with remote testing available because of the pandemic, the CFP Board announced today.
Candidates for certification will also be able to take the exam at testing sites, some of which will have limited capacity, the board said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the traditional CFP exam testing method. However, we are committed to maintaining the integrity and security of our certification exam while ensuring the health and safety of all candidates sitting for the March exam,” CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller said in a statement. “As a result, CFP Board will again offer candidates a remote proctoring option while taking the March CFP exam.”
The registration deadline for the March exam is Feb. 23.
Remote proctoring is an exam delivery method that allows candidates to take the CFP exam from home or a location of their choice. The security process and candidate check-in procedures are comparable to those at test centers, with proctors monitoring the individual’s test session by audio and video throughout the exam. The remote proctoring option is available to candidates who are eligible based on location or health criteria. All candidates for the remote proctoring option must meet technology requirements, the board said.
Passing the CFP exam, which tests the ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations, is one of the requirements for earning the right to use the CFP certification. The exam is designed to ensure that candidates are qualified to develop a holistic financial plan for their clients', the board said.
The exam is offered in March, July and November. Exam topics include professional standards and regulation, general principles of financial planning, tax planning, retirement savings and income planning, estate planning, and risk management and insurance planning, among other topics.
Additional information is available for the exam and the remote proctoring option.