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Becoming a Certified Financial Planner™ can open doors throughout your financial planning career, but first you need to complete the educational requirements. All candidates must finish coursework through a CFP® Board Registered Program before taking the certification exam. Today’s aspiring CFP® professionals have a range of options, with many programs offered online to fit around work and life obligations. Choosing the right online program depends on three main factors: cost, course format and how quickly you want to complete your studies.
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CFP® Education Requirements
Along with other requirements, you’ll need to be able to check off two boxes concerning education in order to become a CFP®. Specifically, you’ll need to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Complete college or university-level coursework through a CFP® Board Registered Program
These educational requirements are in place to equip you with the essential knowledge needed to provide financial planning services to clients. Before taking the CFP® exam, you must first complete all the required coursework. If you haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree yet, you have up to five years after passing the exam to do so.
CFP® Education Areas of Focus
| – Professional conduct and regulation – General principles of financial planning – Risk management and insurance planning – Investment planning | – Tax planning – Retirement savings and income planning – Estate planning – Psychology of financial planning – Financial plan development |
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Self-Paced vs. Instructor-Led: Which Format Is Right for You?
CFP® education programs and exam prep courses are offered in a variety of formats and delivery styles. Some programs feature live, instructor-led classes with set schedules, while others are built for self-paced, independent study.
Instructor-led programs may appeal to candidates who prefer a more structured learning environment, regular interaction with instructors and peers, and a defined pace for progressing through the material. Self-study programs, on the other hand, may be better suited for those who value flexibility, want to move through coursework at their own speed, or need to fit study time around unpredictable schedules.
Because these formats support different learning preferences and rely on different types of resources, programs are grouped into two separate categories, instructor-led and self-study, and ranked independently within each category.
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Top 5 Self-Paced CFP® Education Programs
We assessed self-study CFP® education programs based on cost, access to course materials and available academic support. Programs with lower tuition, longer access windows and additional support features generally score more favorably. These elements are weighted and combined to generate an overall score.
1. University of Georgia (CFP Certificate Program)
The University of Georgia Terry College of Business offers an online, self-paced program that’s delivered through an interactive platform for maximum flexibility. The program covers seven courses that are designed to prepare you for CFP® certification. Students are assigned an advisor who is a CFP® and available to answer questions while you’re enrolled, with typical response times of one business day.
Students have 21 months to complete the program; at a minimum, you’ll need 12 months to complete the course of study. All course materials are available online, though you will need to purchase textbooks separately during enrollment. Class formats include live virtual sessions and recorded replays. Students have access to practice quizzes to test their knowledge.
Program costs total $4,000, as of March 2026. That includes $3,250 for tuition and $750 for all six required textbooks, in either e-book or hardback format. Should you choose to purchase both e-books and physical copies, the textbook cost is $1,125. That cost did not factor into our rankings.
2. Boston Institute of Finance/Bryant University
The Boston Institute of Finance/Bryant University CFP® education program is entirely self-paced and grants enrollees access to seven courses required to complete their CFP® certification. The program duration is 21 months, and you can complete coursework at a pace that fits your busy schedule. Students have unlimited exam attempts while in the program.
Self-paced study does not include access to an advisor, instructor or coach. That’s only available with the instructor-led program. However, you may choose to upgrade your study package to include a comprehensive CFP® exam review. As of March 2026, program tuition was $2,995, making it the lowest-cost option on this list. Upgraded packages that include exam review have higher tuition rates.
3. Boston University
Boston University’s self-study program offers a flexible way to fulfill CFP® education requirements. You can choose your study pace and complete the program in nine, 12, 18 or 21 months. You’ll have access to an instructor, though you won’t be assigned an advisor while you’re enrolled. Practice quizzes are available to help you review key concepts covered in each of the seven program courses.
Compared to other self-paced study programs, the cost is mid-range. The program fee was $4,395, as of March 2026. Admission is open, and you may start at any time. All courses are offered online, and if you prefer to purchase courses individually, you have the option to do that at a separate rate.
4. Dalton Education
Dalton Education’s self-study program lets you learn at your own pace with seven online courses. You also have access to an instructor via email if you have questions, as well as a Student Success coach. Textbooks are delivered in e-book format. Course materials also include both a calculator book and question pool.
The program is designed to be completed within six to 12 months. The website describes the program as being “best suited for students and professionals with prior experience”, which may factor into your decision-making. In terms of cost, the current tuition fee is $5,995, making it the most expensive option. Should you decide to add on Dalton CFP® exam review, there’s an additional fee.
5. Kaplan Financial Education (College for Financial Planning)
Kaplan is a leading name in study prep. Its self-paced CFP® certification program features graduate-level coursework. Once enrolled, you’ll have 12 months to complete the required courses. You won’t have access to an instructor, mentor or coach through the program, so fulfilling all the requirements on time may require some discipline on your part.
Successful completion of the program qualifies for 15 credits toward the MS in Personal Financial Planning degree offered by the College for Financial Planning. That factor wasn’t included in our rankings, but it’s worth knowing if you’re considering an advanced degree in financial planning. As of March 2026, program tuition was $5,350, making it one of the most expensive programs on this list.
Top 5 Instructor-Led CFP® Education Programs
We evaluated instructor-led CFP® education programs based on cost, time-to-completion, delivery format and academic support. Programs that are more affordable, offer quicker completion timelines, longer access to course materials and provide flexible instructional options tend to score higher. These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall score that reflects relative program value.
1. University of Georgia (CFP Certificate Program)
The University of Georgia’s instructor-led online CFP® education program includes an add-on to the self-paced program. When you enroll, you receive full access to the self-paced program course materials and a biweekly live online session with an instructor. You can use these sessions to:
- Ask questions
- Work through practice CFP® exam questions
- Learn how topics are applied on the CFP® exam
- Practice key topics for study reinforcement
All sessions are archived and available for download, so you can review them as needed. As with the self-paced program, you’ll have access to course materials for 21 months, with a minimum completion time frame of 12 months. The cost is slightly more expensive than the self-paced option, at $4,250 for tuition. Again, the six required textbooks must be purchased separately for $750, bringing the combined total to $5,000 (as of March 2026).
2. Dalton Education
Dalton’s instructor-led education program is an online program that includes personalized support from an instructor and a Student Success coach, along with live instruction. Classes meet two nights per week and all live courses are available on-demand should you need to replay them.
Instructor-led coursework has a 10 to 15-month completion time frame, though you may be able to finish in as little as six months if you choose the FastPass option. The FastPass format features concentrated, three-day live sessions to help you focus on highly-tested concepts. The standard instructor-led package was priced at $7,395 in March 2026, which is something to consider if you’re hoping to study for the CFP® exam on a budget.
3. Boston Institute of Finance/Bryant University
The Boston Institute of Finance/Bryant University instructor-led program meets all CFP® coursework requirements, and it gives you the benefit of guidance from an experienced instructor. Access to the program is granted for 21 months, though it’s possible to complete all coursework requirements within nine months.
Classes are taught live virtually and practice quizzes are included in the course materials to help you better understand exam questions. Program tuition was $3,995 in March 2026, making it the most affordable option on this list. You also have the option to upgrade to a more expensive package that includes CFP® exam review.
4. Kaplan Financial Education (College for Financial Planning)
In addition to self-study courses, Kaplan offers instructor-led classes for CFP® candidates. The premium package is also 12 months, though it’s broken down into two segments: nine months for course study and three months for exam review. The program covers the same seven courses as the self-paced option. Classes begin and end on fixed dates, so you’ll need to be sure you can accommodate them in your schedule. Replays are available if you can’t attend virtually or onsite.
Like the self-paced program, you can earn credit toward the MS in Personal Financial Planning degree offered by the College for Financial Planning. No outside coaching or instruction is offered, and you won’t be assigned an advisor. Tuition is $7,500; you can pay up front to receive a discount, or course by course.
5. UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension offers an online instructor-led education program that’s designed to be completed in 12 months if attending full-time. You may take up to two years to finish if you enroll on a part-time basis. The program covers eight courses, including a course on ethics, and is open to both U.S. citizens and international students who possess an approved F-1 visa. That did not factor into our rankings, but is notable for foreign candidates who are interested in studying abroad.
With a tuition of $7,600 (as of March 2026), UCLA’s program is the most expensive instructor-led option on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do CFP® education programs include exam preparation?
Some programs bundle CFP® exam review into the tuition price, while others offer exam preparation as an optional add-on. These review courses typically include practice exams, question banks, live review sessions and strategies for approaching the CFP® exam.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to enroll in a CFP® education program?
You can typically enroll in a CFP® Board Registered Program before completing a bachelor’s degree. However, the CFP® Board requires candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution before they can receive the CFP® certification. Candidates who pass the CFP® exam without a bachelor’s degree generally have up to five years to meet that requirement.
Can you complete a CFP® education program while working full-time?
Yes. Many candidates complete their CFP® coursework while working full-time. Self-paced programs are particularly well suited for professionals who need flexibility, as they allow students to progress through lessons during evenings or weekends.
Can you take CFP® courses individually instead of enrolling in a full program?
Some education providers allow students to purchase individual courses rather than enrolling in the full program upfront. This approach may allow candidates to spread out costs or focus on specific subject areas, though completing all required courses is still necessary before sitting for the CFP® exam.
Bottom Line
Unless you already hold certain professional credentials or education degrees, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or a PhD in financial planning, you won’t be able to bypass the CFP® coursework requirements. Fortunately, there are multiple programs to choose from if completing courses online is preferable to attending them in person.
Tips for Growing Your Advisory Business
- You may find less time for marketing activities as you study for your CFP®. SmartAsset AMP (Advisor Marketing Platform) is a holistic marketing service financial advisors can use for client lead generation and automated marketing. Sign up for a free demo to explore how SmartAsset AMP can help you expand your practice’s marketing operation. Get started today.
- While many CFP® coursework programs include exam review as part of the package cost, not all of them do. If you’re interested in exploring CFP® exam prep options online, it’s possible to find free and low-cost resources to help. Similar to choosing a coursework program, finding the right exam prep or review option can depend on how much time and money you have to invest in completing it. Once you’re certified, keep in mind that you’ll need to earn a minimum number of continuing education (CE) credits to maintain your CFP® marks.
Photo credit: ©iStock/Dragos Condrea, ©iStock/The American College of Financial Services, ©iStock/Boston University Financial Planning Certificate Program, ©iStock/College for Financial Planning – A Kaplan Company, ©iStock/Kansas State University, ©iStock/Northwestern University, ©iStock/fizkes