CFP

CFP is short for certified financial planner, which is a professional designation in the financial planning industry. The CFP designation is administered and regulated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Financial planners that wish to obtain a CFP designation must meet several requirements mandated by the CFP board, including minimum education and experience requirements in the areas of financial planning, insurance and investment planning, and retirement and estate planning, which could take as many as three years. CFP candidates must also pass a written examination and background check. Once a planner has obtained the CFP designation, they must complete continuing education requirements so long as they wish to continue to be a CFP. A CFP designation is not required by any law for an individual who wants to practice financial planning, but rather is intended to identify for consumers experienced and knowledgeable professionals.