CFP Board’s 2025 Public Policy Priorities: What Planners Need to Know
CFP® Board Updates
In September 2025, the CFP Board published its official list of six public policy priorities, outlining the organization’s advocacy agenda for the years ahead. These priorities serve as a guide for how the CFP Board plans to influence regulation, legislation, and public perception of the financial planning profession.
For CFP® professionals and candidates, this is more than a policy memo — it’s a strategic lens through which to view the future of the profession.
The Six Key Priorities
According to the CFP Board’s press release and supporting policy document, the organization’s six advocacy goals are:
The Board continues to support federal and state efforts requiring all financial professionals to act in the best interest of their clients — a core tenet of the CFP® Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
CFP Board supports efforts to remove barriers to professional financial planning, including cost, awareness, and availability — particularly for underserved communities.
The Board is advocating for policies that enhance participation in workplace retirement plans, encourage personal savings, and reduce longevity risk.
This includes supporting legislation for personal finance education in schools and expanded access to financial knowledge at the community and workforce levels.
Efforts here focus on supporting regulatory and legislative measures that protect investors from misleading advice, scams, and misconduct.
CFP Board is committed to attracting a broader, more diverse pool of financial planners — and supporting pathways into the profession.
These priorities are fully detailed in the Board’s official Public Policy Priorities document and reflect an intersection of ethical planning, public interest, and profession-wide responsibility.
Why This Matters to CFP® Professionals
While not all CFP® professionals are directly involved in advocacy, these policy goals touch on areas you encounter daily — client trust, accessibility, planning strategy, education, and compliance.
- For firm leaders and educators: These priorities can guide recruiting efforts, DEI initiatives, and content development.
- For solo practitioners: They reinforce the messaging you can use to communicate your value and fiduciary duty.
- For candidates and new professionals: This is your roadmap for where the profession is heading — and what it demands from you.
Bottom Line
CFP Board’s 2025 public policy agenda is not just about politics — it’s about positioning the CFP® certification as the standard for trustworthy, comprehensive financial planning. Staying aligned with these evolving priorities helps you remain relevant, credible, and connected to the broader mission of elevating the profession.
Sources:
- CFP Board News Release – CFP Board Outlines Public Policy Priorities https://www.cfp.net/news/2025/09/cfp-board-outlines-public-policy-prioritie
- CFP Board Public Policy Priorities (PDF) https://www.cfp.net/-/media/2025/cfp-board-public-policy-priorities-2025.pdf
- PlanAdviser Coverage – CFP Board Targets Regulation and Retirement Security https://www.planadviser.com/cfp-board-policy-priorities-2025
- ThinkAdvisor – CFP Board Emphasizes Fiduciary Standard, Access, and Consumer Protection https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2025/09/19/cfp-board-outlines-2025-policy-positions/
