CFP Board Reviews Competency Standards: What This Means for the Future of CFP® Certification
CFP® Board Updates
In June 2025, the CFP Board opened a public comment period to gather feedback on proposed revisions to its Competency Standards — the foundational framework that defines what CFP® professionals must know and demonstrate to serve clients ethically and effectively.
Although the August 5 comment deadline has now passed, this initiative marks a significant step toward evolving the certification in line with today’s complex financial landscape.
What Are the Competency Standards?
The CFP Board’s Competency Standards define expectations across four pillars:
- Education: The knowledge required through CFP Board–Registered programs
- Examination: What is tested on the CFP® exam
- Experience: What qualifies as practice-ready experience
- Ethics: The professional conduct required of CFP® certificants
These standards shape how candidates are educated, evaluated, and supported as professionals — and directly impact firms, educators, and clients alike.
Why This Review Matters
The financial advice industry is changing. Clients want more than investment recommendations — they expect personalized planning, technological fluency, and guidance grounded in behavioral and emotional intelligence. These proposed changes reflect that shift.
By reexamining the Competency Standards, the CFP Board is:
- Ensuring the certification remains modern and relevant
- Strengthening the profession’s ability to meet real client needs
- Preparing future professionals for a more holistic and complex planning environment
What Happens Next?
Now that the public comment window has closed, the CFP Board will review feedback and determine how to integrate suggested updates into future standards and programs. Once finalized, these revisions will likely shape:
- Educational curriculum at CFP Board–Registered programs
- The content and structure of the CFP® exam
- How firms onboard and develop new CFP® talent
- The overall professional expectations within the industry
Bottom Line
While the feedback period has ended, this initiative signals the CFP Board’s commitment to thoughtful evolution. If you're a current CFP® professional, educator, or candidate, you’ll want to stay informed — these updates may redefine what it means to hold the mark in the coming years.
The future of the profession is being built now — and the best advisors are the ones who evolve with it.
📎 Source:
“CFP Board Invites Public Comment on Competency Standards” – CFP Board (June 6, 2025)
https://www.cfp.net/news/2025/06/cfp-board-invites-public-comment-on-competency-standards
