Canada · Certification examWhat the CFA is
The CFA Program is CFA Institute’s, not FP Canada’s. CFA Institute describes it as three exams that build real-world investment analysis skills. The charter also needs at least 4,000 hours of relevant work experience, completed over at least 36 months.
Shorter paths to the CFP by designation
| You hold | What you still do for CFP | FP Canada Institute price |
|---|---|---|
| CFA, CPA, FCIA, or an LL.B. or J.D. | CFP Professional Education Program, CFP exam, 3 years of experience | $2,125 accelerated program |
| QAFP certification | Advanced program, QAFP to CFP Professional Education Program, CFP exam, 3 years of experience | $900 for the professional education |
| PFP, earned on or before June 30, 2026 | CFP Certification Program for PFP holders, then the usual exam and experience | $2,000 |
| F.Pl. licence with the AMF | CFP Certification Program for F.Pl. Professionals and FP Canada’s experience rules | $1,200 |
| CLU | Exempt from the whole technical education | $2,125 accelerated program |
Prices are from FP Canada’s fee schedule as of September 1, 2026, before tax. The accelerated programs for relevant professionals and CLU holders include the application fee.
QAFP vs CFP
Both come from FP Canada. QAFP professionals advise individuals and families with core needs. CFP professionals take on any level of complexity. The QAFP exam is up to 100 multiple-choice questions in three hours, while the CFP exam is six hours and mostly written answers to client cases.
QAFP needs less: Fundamentals education only, one year of experience and a two-year college diploma (or five years of experience). If you later move up, five years of holding QAFP certification can stand in for the CFP’s bachelor’s degree.
PFP vs CFP after the CSI change
The PFP, Personal Financial Planner, is CSI’s designation. FP Canada’s program for PFP holders is open to people who earned the PFP on or before June 30, 2026, and FP Canada says it can get you to CFP certification in as little as one year. The same date is when CSI’s courses stopped counting toward FP Canada’s technical education.
Can you hold both a CFA and a CFP?
Yes. FP Canada’s relevant professional path is built for people who already hold a CFA, CPA, FCIA or law degree. You need the credential in good standing in Canada and proof from the body that granted it, sent through your FP Canada account.
Sources: FP Canada · CFA Institute and 5 more. Checked October 2026.
- FP Canada: CFP Certification Policies, June 2026 (PDF) ↗
- FP Canada: Fee schedule, as of September 1, 2026 ↗
- FP Canada: Paths to certification ↗
- FP Canada: QAFP certification ↗
- FP Canada: CFP certification ↗
- FP Canada: Postsecondary requirements ↗
- CFA Institute: CFA Program ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.