Deciding to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a significant step towards a rewarding career in finance. But with numerous educational pathways, navigating these options can be overwhelming, especially when your time is actually best used for exam preparation.
So, how does one choose from a list of the best CFP courses that works for them?
That’s where this guide comes in. It aims to cut short your research time by highlighting the best online CFP courses in these categories for you:
- CFP Board approved coursework
- Exam review
Understanding the key components of a CFP education
The journey to becoming a CFP is structured around 4 core components (the “4 Es”): Education, Examination, Experience, and Ethics.
Among these, the Education and Exam component are foundational. It involves completing CFP Board-approved coursework (includes a Capstone project), and often, a comprehensive review course to help boost your chances of passing the exam.
This article focuses on these educational aspect of your CFP journey, summarizing the top online CFP courses you may need to become a Certified Financial Planner:
- CFP Board approved education: As one of the CFP educational requirements, this coursework program ensures you grasp the core financial planning principles. Accredited programs are typically structured as 7-8 courses (including Capstone case study) to cover areas like investment planning, tax planning, estate planning and more. The quality of these programs is paramount, as they lay the groundwork for your understanding of complex financial concepts.
- CFP review course (exam prep): With the CFP exam’s rigorous nature, a dedicated review course is quite indispensable, in my opinion. These exam review courses provide targeted practice, mock exams, and strategies to tackle the exam’s challenges. They are designed to reinforce your knowledge and build exam confidence.
- CFP Capstone course: The Capstone project is where theory meets practice. It’s a culmination of your coursework, requiring you to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios. This critical component tests your ability to synthesize information and develop comprehensive financial plans. If you qualify for the Accelerated Path through additional credentials, this allows you to skip majority of the coursework requirements except Capstone:
- You’ll need to complete a Capstone course if you have not met the CFP experience requirements.
- Otherwise, complete a Capstone Alternative course if you also met the CFP experience requirements.
Best CFP courses: How to choose one that fits you
Selecting the right CFP course is a very personal decision, mainly influenced by your learning style, budget, and time constraints:
- Learning style: Are you a mainly visual, auditory or kinesthetic (learning by doing) learner?
- Visual learners may appreciate in-person / live review classes more, whilst auditory learners may find on-demand videos work better for them.
- Kinesthetic learners on the other hand would likely find that a prep provider with huge question bank super helpful in learning by doing lots of practice questions.
- Everyone is different, so knowing your most effective learning style helps.
- Budget: Consider your budget and the value each provider offers. Are you looking for a comprehensive package or a more targeted review course?
- Live vs. self-paced courses: If you thrive in structured environments, live online classes might be ideal to keep you on track. In contrast, for those with busy or more unpredictable schedules, self-paced programs offer flexibility.
That said, CFP certification can be expensive, especially without employer’s support. How should one prioritize which aspect of CFP courses to spend on? Here’s our advice:
- CFP exam review courses are crucial to prepare you to be exam ready and significantly increase your chances of passing the CFP exam. This is where we would recommend focusing your budget on to get the most bang for your buck.
- For a CFP Board approved coursework program, they are less differentiated compared to CFP review courses, and going through one from any reputable provider without paying a premium is sufficient. That said, the more you can absorb during the coursework part, the easier your exam prep will be.
- All in all, whichever top quality CFP course you choose, hard work and effort in preparation is a prerequisite to success.
Now that you have a better idea on your preferences, let’s go through the best online CFP courses in each category: coursework and exam review.
Our evaluation criteria
In our research of the top CFP education programs, here’s what we considered for our shortlist:
- Broad accessibility with a user friendly, online-focused course options. We also consider in-person classes that also offer a simultaneous online option which enables virtual attendance for non-local candidates.
- Accredited program with good reviews from a broad range of unbiased sources
- Above average CFP pass rates
- Pricing considerations
- Additional features such as pass guarantee, instructor access, customer support etc.
Our shortlist of the best online CFP courses
Without further ado, here is our shortlist of the top online CFP education/coursework providers, balancing quality of teaching and online platform, provider’s reputation, cost and pass rates.
Self study course options are provided via on-demand videos, whilst live video classes are available online, in addition also recorded for playback for those who may have missed them.
Our online CFP education shortlist are summarized in the table below, in no particular order of preference, with more explanations in the following sections:
| Self study | Live classes | Class duration | Exam review add on? | Special features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College for Financial Planning (Kaplan) | $5,550 | $6,101* | 9-12 months | Yes | Premium live online classes includes pass guarantee. |
| Bryant University / Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) | $2,995 | $3,995 | 8-12 months | Yes | 15-day money back guarantee, no questions asked. |
| Brett Danko | – | $6,650 | 7 months Fast Track | Yes | One of the faster paced course. |
| Dalton Education | $5,295 | $7,195 | 10-12 months | Yes | Detailed course, has a pass guarantee option. |
| The American College | $5,395 | – | 12 months | Yes, either Dalton or Bryant/BIF review | Heavy focus on behavioral finance. |
| Zahn Associates | – | $4,265 | 12 months | Yes | Concise, good value, flexible scheduling. |
* Premium package from College for Financial Planning includes live online classes for coursework plus exam review (worth $1,399) bundled together for $7,500. Value of exam review was removed here as a cost comparison with others.
Conclusion on the best CFP coursework
Based on the above, we have summarized the pros and cons (in our view) of each prep provider’s CFP education program. Hope this makes the choice easier!
| Pros | Cons | Overall Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| College for Financial Planning (Kaplan) | – Established reputation. – Comprehensive curriculum. – Diverse learning formats and options: – Essentials (books only), Essentials Plus (pre-recorded videos) and Premium Plus (live online classes bundled with exam prep and pass guarantee) – Good online platform. | – Some users find the cost relatively high. – Large class sizes of live online formats may lead to less personalized attention. – Premium package bundles live classes coursework/education and exam review together. There is no option for live classes coursework portion only. | Overall, College for Financial Planning’s CFP program is a solid choice for those seeking a well-established, comprehensive education with diverse learning options. |
| Bryant University / Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) | – Good value CFP education with similar above average pass rates like the rest in this list. – Mix of self study and instructor-led online options. – 15 day money back guarantee, no questions asked. – Flexibility to change from self study to virtual classroom/instructor led version with just $150 per course. | – Perhaps lesser known than the other prep providers. – Some students mentioned the course has quite some typos and errors. – Although the nature of the course is easy to follow and understand, some students say it sometimes lacks details for nuances. | Bryant University, through its partnership with the Boston Institute of Finance (BIF), provides both self-study and live online CFP education courses lasting 8-12 months. A good choice for cost conscious students who prefer to focus most of their spend on an Exam Review course. |
| Brett Danko | – Intensive and fast education course. – High-quality live online classes, experienced instructors. – The instructors are often praised for their expertise and engaging teaching style. | – No self study option, doesn’t suit those who need flexibility. The fast pace may not be suitable for all learners, and some candidates find the workload quite intense. – One of the more expensive options. | Brett Danko offers a fast-track, live online program that typically lasts 7 months. This accelerated pace is a key feature of their offering. If budget allows, you are short on time and prefer a live, structured CFP education, this course could be a good bet. |
| Dalton Education | – Both self study and online live instruction options are available. – Comprehensive curriculum and structured learning environment. – Pass guarantee is available as an option. Offers discounts when bundled with review course. | – Live instruction is more expensive than others. – Some students found the thoroughness tricky, but following the plan does help your exam preparedness. – Some students found the curriculum quite rigid, less suitable for those preferring flexibility. | They are known to be very detailed, which helps you properly understand everything and prepare for the exam well. Overall, Dalton is great for those who prefer a premium, instructor-led structured learning program and value personalized support. |
| The American College | – Wide range of financial services education from an experienced faculty. – Good online platform. – There is currently a discount up to 14 March (code CFPEDUSAVE) for $500 off the 7 course package and $1,000 off the 7 course plus a Dalton exam review package. | – No live instruction option. | The American College offers a 12-month self-study CFP education course, with the option to add on exam review course from either Dalton or Bryant/BIF. It’s a great choice for those seeking a ‘no frills’ option, a broad financial services education alongside CFP preparation. |
| Zahn Associates | – Concise, good value, online instructor-led course. – Flexible scheduling options. | – No self study option. – Some candidates prefer a more in-depth curriculum. | – Zahn Associates offers a concise, live online CFP education course with flexible scheduling. – It is great for candidates who need a good value for money, online instructor-led CFP education. |
Our shortlist of the best CFP review courses
Once you have powered through the CFP coursework, the next step is getting exam ready.
This is where getting a good exam prep course is crucial, since most of the hard work, learning and knowledge consolidation happens at this stage. These courses help ensure you truly understand the concepts, learn test taking strategies and boost your confidence.
The top 5 CFP review course providers typically arrange their course into 3 phases:
- Pre-study: A self study portion beforehand with printed, e-books, or video lectures in order to best prepare for the live review classes.
- Virtual / in-person live review: Your learnings are maximized during the live review classes when pre-study prep is done well. This live review is usually about 35 hours of class time, covering all the courses and key concepts.
- Post-study materials: This is the final study consolidation phase where candidates do a lot of practice questions with question bank, case studies and mock exam.
To help you navigate these review courses, we’ve compiled a CFP review course comparison table below comparing key aspects of the top CFP review courses available, with some advice on what may work well for you in the following section.
| Live virtual or in-person review only: | College for Financial Planning (Kaplan) | Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) | Brett Danko | Dalton Education | Zahn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format & Pricing | Self study and live instruction options are available: a) Essentials (self study with e-books only): $599 b) Premium (Live online, pre-recorded videos or in-person classes): $1,399 | Self study and live instruction options are available: a) Core (self study with pre-recorded videos): $995 b) Premium (Core plus 8 weekly virtual live sessions): $1,795 | Virtual or in-person live review only: a) Comprehensive (base live instruction package without video playback): $1,395 b) Signature (Comprehensive + more quizzes & case studies, 16 hours of online group sessions (+ video playback), flashcards, 1 retake): $2,195 c) Plus (Signature + even more quizzes & case studies, pre-study video recordings 25 hours x 6 modules): $2,985 | Both packages have virtual or live in-person review only: a) Review (e-books, live instruction (virtual/in-person), recorded lectures): $1,495 ($500 if bundled with CFP coursework) b) Guarantee to Pass (Review + money-back guarantee, flashcards, individual coaching, extra lectures): $2,295 ($1,100 if bundled with CFP coursework) | Virtual or in-person live review only: $1,195 |
| Average program duration / study hours | 10 weeks | 8 weeks | ~12-13 weeks (at least 15 study hours a week) | 15 weeks (15-20 study hours a week) | ~ 250 study hours |
| Instructor access | Email access | Live office hours | Live office hours (Signature & Plus) | Live office hours | Email access |
| Question banks | Yes, ~ 2,500 questions. | Yes | Yes, ~3,500 questions. | Yes, ~2,800 questions. | Yes |
| Mock exam | Essentials (no) Premium (yes) | Core (no) Premium (yes) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass guarantee | Essentials (no) Premium (yes) | Core (no) Premium (yes, 1 retake) | Comprehensive (no) Signature & Plus (yes, 1 retake) | Review (no) Guarantee to Pass (yes) | No |
| Great for | Value-for- money prep from a reputable provider, good online platform, cheapest Pass Guarantee package | Weekly deep dive reviews by topic, highly responsive instructors. | Engaging live instruction, highly structured program, personalized attention. | Comprehensive detail to overprepare, good online platform, various schedule options for virtual classes. | Concise curriculum, flexible scheduling and good value. |
That’s still quite a bit of information to digest despite the summary table. That said, they are all highly rated, good quality prep providers regardless who you end up with.
Factors to consider when choosing a CFP exam prep course
To help you narrow down your choices based on your preferences and learning style, here are some considerations and observations which may help your narrow things down:
- Self study vs. live classes (virtual / in-person): All of the review courses above have live instruction. But if that isn’t your cup of tea and you would like to have a ‘no frills’, self study option for maximum flexibility, there are 2 choices: Kaplan’s Essentials package (e-books, $599) or BIF’s Core package (pre-recorded videos $995). The latter is more concise/test-focused, which brings me to the next point.
- In-depth vs. concise, test-focused prep: Dalton and Kaplan’s review course are more on the comprehensive side, and great for those who enjoy details when learning new concepts. On the other hand, BIF, Danko and Zahn’s review courses are more concise and test-focused. It’s a fine balancing act of what you prefer, as an overly comprehensive course may be overwhelming and discouraging, but one that is purely test-focused may miss out crucial areas tested in the exam. It depends on your learning preferences and time you have left for studying. Sorry if I’m not helping here!
- Budget: as a reminder, all of the CFP review courses above have above average CFP pass rates, so roughly equal in that sense. Budget can mean a few things here:
- Absolute cheapest would be Kaplan’s Essential package ($599) that just has the e-books & question bank package without any mock exam or videos (live or pre-recorded). This is perfect for disciplined self starters who are budget conscious.
- The most affordable review course with a pass guarantee would be Kaplan’s Premium package ($1,399) that gives you a live instruction in a format you prefer (in-person, live online or pre-recorded videos).
- The most affordable live (in-person or virtual) CFP review course is Zahn ($1,195) but Danko ($1,395) and Dalton’s ($1,495) comparable package are not far off.
- To look at this the other way, the most expensive review course is Danko’s Plus package ($2,895), which doesn’t seem good value for the price and what you get. I would say Danko’s Signature review ($2,195) and Dalton’s Guarantee to Pass ($2,295) is at the upper range of what is good value for money for an ‘all the bells and whistles’ reivew package a typical CFP candidate should consider.
- Bundle discounts: if you are considering the same provider at the CFP coursework stage, there are usually bundle discounts offered to tie you in for both coursework and exam prep that could save you quite a bit:
- College for Financial Planning (Kaplan) offers a combined Premium Package for live classes coursework and review for $7,500 in total, with a pass guarantee. This is pretty good considering that the Premium exam review costs $1,399 and most comparable live coursework packages costs around $6k-7k on average.
- The American College of Financial Services is running a discount promo now until 14 March for $500 off their CFP coursework program, or $1,000 if Dalton Review is purchased.
- CFP education 7 course package only: $4,885.50 (normally $5,395)
- CFP education 7 course package + Dalton Review: $5,885.50 (normally $6,395)
- CFP education 7 course package + Core BIF Review: $6,390
- Dalton themselves have an extensive bundle discount if you use them for both coursework and exam prep:
- CFP coursework self study + Dalton Review = $5,795 (after $995 savings)
- CFP coursework instructor-led online + Dalton Review Guarantee to Pass = $8,295 (after $1,195 savings)
- Pass Guarantee: If pass guarantee is important to you for CFP exam prep, only Kaplan’s Premium Package, Dalton’s Guarantee to Pass, BIF’s Premium, Danko’s Signature and Live packages have them.
- Location for in-person review: If you prefer an in-person class setting, all the providers above have an in-person live class option except BIF that is fully online. The location of the in-person classes may influence your final choice.
- Schedule flexibility: Kaplan and Dalton seem to have the widest range of schedule options for their CFP live review courses, with weeknights, weekends or 4 day options available.
- Online platform / technology: Kaplan, Dalton, BIF in particular have good, user friendly online platforms to study from. This is especially important for question banks, videos and attending virtual live classes.
OK, the section above came out a lot longer than I expected, but hopefully these provide some guidance and saved you time on how to arrive at a CFP review course that fits you best!
FAQs
How to choose between CFP self-study vs. live online courses?
Deciding between self-study and live online CFP courses depends on your learning style and lifestyle.
Self-study offers flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace, which is ideal if you have a busy schedule.
Live online courses provide structured learning, real-time interaction with instructors, and a sense of community, which can be beneficial if you prefer a more guided approach to keep you on track.
Other considerations such as time availability, learning preferences, and budget when making this decision.
What are the benefits of a CFP exam pass guarantee?
A CFP exam pass guarantee provides peace of mind and reduces the financial risk associated with failing the exam.
If you don’t pass, some providers offer a free retake or extended access to course materials. This can be particularly valuable if you’re anxious about the exam’s difficulty. However, always review the terms and conditions of the guarantee to understand the eligibility requirements and limitations.
Can I get CFP certification online only?
Yes, you can complete the CFP education requirement and exam preparation entirely online.
Many CFP Board-registered education programs offer online courses, and the CFP exam can be taken at testing centers.
However, you will need to fulfill the experience and ethics requirements, which may involve in-person interactions. This makes the CFP designation very accessible for those that are unable to attend in person classes.
Are there CFP scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes, there are scholarships and financial aid options available for CFP education.
Organizations like the CFP Board, financial institutions, and educational providers offer scholarships to eligible candidates.
Research scholarship opportunities through the CFP Board website and contact individual course providers to inquire about financial aid options.
Additionally, some employers may offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship for professional development. It’s always worthwhile to ask your employer too to start one!
What are the ongoing continuing education requirements for CFPs?
To maintain your CFP certification, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. This ensures that you stay up-to-date with industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
CE courses cover a wide range of topics related to financial planning, and you can choose courses that align with your professional interests and areas of specialization.
Hope the guide above helps! Which course are you leaning towards and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Meanwhile, you may find the following related CFP articles of interest:
