The CFP® designation identifies individuals who have completed the mandatory examination, education, experience, and ethics requirements mandated by the CFP Board. Candidates must have at least three years of qualifying work experience that relates to financial planning. Candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or CFP Board equivalent. CFP® candidates must pass an examination that covers over 100 financial planning topics, which broadly includes: general principles of financial planning, insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. Finally, candidates have ongoing ethics requirements and oversight by the CFP Board.