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United Kingdom · Qualification

The CII Diploma in Financial Planning

The Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII’s) Diploma in Financial Planning is a Level 4 qualification for paraplanners, technical consultants and others who support financial planning. The CII says it isn’t suitable for financial advisers, who take the CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning because it fully meets the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requirements. The two share the R0 units and the DipPFS member designation.

  • 140CII credits needed to complete
  • 37Units to choose from
  • RequiredA CII certificate or equivalent to complete
See the Diploma in Financial Planning

Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Financial Planning or Regulated Financial Planning?

Financial PlanningRegulated
Who it’s forParaplanners and support rolesRetail investment advisers
CII credits140100
UnitsChosen from 37Six fixed, R01 to R06
Before you completeA CII certificateNothing
FCA adviser ruleNot met on its ownFully met
Total qualification time570 hours370 hours
The Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning →

Who can complete the Diploma in Financial Planning

You can start units with no entry requirements, but to be awarded the Diploma you must hold one of these CII qualifications, or an equivalent:

  • Certificate in Financial Services (General route)
  • Certificate in Financial Services (Life and pensions route)
  • Certificate in Regulated Financial Services Operations
  • the withdrawn Certificate in Financial Planning

Diploma in Financial Planning credits and units

You need 140 CII credits. At least 80 must be at Diploma level from J02, J05, J07, J09 to J12, R01 to R04, R06 and R07, and no more than 30 can come from Advanced Diploma units. At least one Diploma-level J0 or R0 unit must be passed by CII exam, not claimed through prior learning.

Beyond the R0 units, the Diploma-level options include J02 Trusts, J05 Pension income options, J07 Supervision in a regulated environment, J09 Paraplanning (30 credits), J10 Discretionary investment management, J12 Securities advice and dealing, and R07 Advanced mortgage advice.

Does the CII Diploma in Financial Planning count with the FCA?

Only in combination. The FCA’s TC Appendix 4 table lists the Diploma in Financial Planning with a pass in J12 for advising on and dealing in securities, and in older combinations with long-term care and pension transfer units. From 31 December 2012 it doesn’t meet the FCA’s requirement for retail investment advice on its own. TC Appendix 4 lists it for that only with CII gap-fill, which the CII no longer offers.

Diploma in Financial Planning fees

ItemFee
Standard qualification fee (assessments)£1,558
Package fee (study materials)£83
CII membership, per year, optional£205

The CII’s March 2026 specification sets these out for a UK non-member taking a typical route, digital where possible. Membership assumes you hold a Certificate. Members get discounts on each unit’s shop page.

Sources: CII · FCA Handbook and 2 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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