CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $925
- Issuing body
- CFP Board
- Domain
- Finance & accounting
- Validity
- 2 years (CE)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification is administered by the CFP Board. The base examination fee is $925 for a single attempt, as of June 2026, though the board offers pricing tiers: an early registration rate of $825 and a late registration rate of $1,025. This fee covers the exam attempt only and does not include third-party training courses, study materials, prep programs, or retake fees. Candidates should verify the current fee structure and any applicable deadlines directly with the CFP Board's official website before budgeting or registering, as certification bodies adjust pricing periodically.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for personal financial advisors—the occupation most commonly associated with the CFP credential—was $102,140. This figure represents the midpoint wage for the occupation and should not be construed as a guaranteed salary, earnings increase, or financial outcome from obtaining the certification. Eligibility requirements, exam policies, and renewal conditions are determined solely by the CFP Board and should be confirmed through its official channels.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $102,140 (typically $49,990–— from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Personal Financial Advisors, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | CFP (Certified Financial Planner) |
| Issuing body | CFP Board |
| Base exam fee | $925 |
| Fee notes | standard $925 / early $825 / late $1,025 |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's + CFP coursework + 6,000 hrs experience |
| Validity / renewal | 2 years (CE) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Finance & accounting certs →