Your Fast Track to Becoming a Financial Planner

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If you're looking to fast-track your path to becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), here’s a clear breakdown to get you there as efficiently as possible:

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Standard CFP® Path vs. Accelerated Path

Standard Path (Typical Route)

1. Complete a CFP Board‐registered education program (usually 9 months–2 years).
2. Pass the CFP® exam.
3. Fulfill the experience requirement:
• 6,000 hours of professional experience OR
• 4,000 hours of supervised apprenticeship experience.CFP Board+12CFP Board+12Kaplan Financial+12CFP Board+1
4. Earn (or already have) a bachelor's degree (can be completed within 5 years after passing the exam).CFP Board+2Kaplan Financial+2
5. Meet ethics requirements, including disclosure and background check.dalton-education.com+15CFP Board+15Kaplan Financial+15

Total Time: Typically 18–24 months, though this excludes the actual work experience or apprenticeship time.SmartAssetInvestopedia

Accelerated Path (Fast Track Route)

If you already hold one of the qualifying credentials, you may skip most of the coursework and qualify for a streamlined path:

Qualifying Credentials:

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
• ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant)
• CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter)
• Licensed attorney
• Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D. in finance, business administration, economics)
• CFP® certification from a non-U.S. FPSB affiliateCFP Board+15CFP Board+15Bostonifi+15Kaplan Financial

Steps:

1. Submit your credential and official transcripts.
2. Complete the Capstone course or the Capstone Alternative (the latter if you've already met the experience requirement).CFP Board+3CFP Board+3Kaplan Financial+3
3. Prepare for and pass the CFP® exam.
4. Fulfill the experience requirement (standard or apprenticeship pathway).
5. Meet ethics requirements (sign declaration, pass background check).CFP BoardBostonifi+5CFP Board+5CFP Board+5Wikipedia+3Kaplan Financial+3CFP Board+3

Timeframe:

• Capstone course: 2 to 6 weeks
• Exam preparation: 2 to 6 months
• If experience requirement is already met (or partly met), you could complete everything in as little as 4 months.Bostonifi

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Summary Table

Path	Key Advantage	Approximate Time to Certification*
Standard Path	Full coursework + standard process	18–24 months (excluding experience)
Accelerated Path	Skip coursework if qualified	As little as 4 months if experience met

Did you know? Only about one-third of financial planners in the U.S. actually hold the CFP® certification — even though it’s considered the gold standard in the profession. Many people who call themselves “financial planners” may only have a securities license, insurance license, or other limited credentials.

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A fast track to becoming a financial planner, particularly a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), involves leveraging existing credentials or choosing an accelerated education program. The time it takes is based on your starting point, but specialized programs can significantly shorten the initial education and exam preparation phases. 

Accelerated CFP® certification pathway

The most direct "fast track" is the CFP Board's Accelerated Path, which allows professionals with existing credentials to bypass most of the required coursework. 

• Qualifying credentials: You must hold one of the following to use this path:
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Licensed attorney
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
• Ph.D. in financial planning, finance, business, or economics
• Requirements: Even with accelerated eligibility, you must still complete these steps:
• Complete a capstone course.
• Pass the CFP® exam.
• Complete the required professional experience hours.
• Hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Complete the ethics certification. 

Quickest path for newcomers

If you do not have prior professional credentials, the fastest route involves an accelerated, CFP Board-registered education program, which can help you complete your coursework in under a year. 

Your step-by-step fast track:

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree. You must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any discipline to become a CFP®, though you have up to five years after passing the exam to complete this. A degree in a related field like finance or business is helpful, but not required.
2. Enroll in an accelerated CFP® education program. These programs, offered by institutions like the Boston Institute of Finance and Brett Danko, compress the required coursework into a shortened timeline, sometimes under a year.
3. Pass the licensing exams. While studying, you can also prepare for and pass the required licenses for selling financial products. The specific exams you need, such as the Series 65, depend on your role and state regulations.
4. Find a financial planning firm or development program. Join a firm with a structured training program that supports new advisors. Large firms like J.P. Morgan Chase and Charles Schwab offer development tracks that provide training, client experience, and support for obtaining licenses and certifications.
5. Pass the CFP® exam. After completing your coursework, pass the comprehensive, six-hour CFP® exam. Prep courses are widely available and highly recommended to pass on your first attempt.
6. Complete the experience requirement. The CFP Board requires 6,000 hours of professional experience in financial planning or 4,000 hours in an approved apprenticeship role. Your work in a development program or at a firm will count toward this requirement.
7. Fulfill the ethics requirement. The final step is to sign the ethics declaration and undergo a background check. You must agree to adhere to the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. 

Comparison of accelerated career paths

Path	Best for	Typical Timeline	Education	Licenses & Experience
Traditional Career Changer	Those with no finance background seeking a career change	1.5–2.5 years	Accelerated CFP® education program (12–18 months) and bachelor's degree.	Pass CFP® exam and gain 4,000–6,000 hours of experience.
Accelerated Certification	Current professionals with eligible credentials	12–18 months	Skip most CFP® coursework with a prior CPA, CFA, or Ph.D.; complete capstone.	Pass CFP® exam and gain 4,000–6,000 hours of experience.
Corporate Development Program	Recent graduates looking for structured training	2–3 years	Firm provides training for industry licensing and the CFP® exam.	Obtain licenses (e.g., Series 7, 66) and gain on-the-job experience with client interaction.