CFP Renewal 2026 June — CE Requirements, Ethics, and How to Renew Your CFP Certification

CFP Renewal CE Requirements

Every CFP certificant must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their certification. These CE hours must be completed before your renewal deadline — the CFP Board does not grant extensions or grace periods.

CE topic requirements:

• 2 hours: Ethics CE — Mandatory. Must be a CFP Board-approved ethics CE program that specifically addresses the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Generic business ethics courses do not satisfy this requirement.
• 28 hours: General CE — Any CFP Board-approved CE program in financial planning topic areas.

Approved CE topic areas include:

• Financial planning process and theory
• Insurance planning and risk management
• Investment planning and portfolio management
• Tax planning
• Retirement savings and income planning
• Estate planning
• Education planning
• Psychology of financial planning (added as a topic area in recent years)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial planning
• Financial technology (FinTech) and practice management

CE providers: The CFP Board maintains a database of approved CE sponsors and programs. CE can be earned through live seminars, webinars, self-study programs, college courses, and professional organization events. Major CE providers include the FPA (Financial Planning Association), NAPFA, IMCA, and many insurance CE providers. Programs must be pre-approved by the CFP Board — completing unapproved programs does not count.

CE for teaching: CFP certificants who teach CFP Board-registered education programs can earn CE credit for instruction time. Up to 10 hours per renewal period may be earned through qualifying teaching activity.

Pro bono CE credit: CE credit is available for completing CFP Board-approved pro bono financial planning. This recognizes professionals who provide free financial planning services to underserved populations.

How to Report CE to the CFP Board

CE hours must be reported to the CFP Board by your renewal deadline. Many CE providers submit CE hours to the CFP Board automatically on your behalf — but you are responsible for ensuring all hours are recorded correctly.

Reporting process:

1. Check your CE transcript: Log into the CFP Board's certification portal at cfp.net. Your CE transcript shows all CE hours that have been reported by sponsors to the CFP Board for your ID.
2. Self-report missing CE: If a sponsor has not submitted your hours (common with smaller providers or older courses), you can self-report CE by uploading a certificate of completion directly in the portal. The CFP Board may audit self-reported CE — retain certificates and documentation.
3. Verify ethics CE is recorded: The portal tracks ethics and general CE separately. Confirm your 2-hour ethics requirement shows as completed, not just counted in your general total.
4. Complete renewal: Once 30 CE hours are recorded (including 2 ethics hours), complete your renewal application in the portal and pay the biennial fee.

CE audit: The CFP Board randomly audits CE compliance. If audited, you must provide documentation (certificates of completion, provider confirmation) for all reported CE hours. Maintain CE documentation for at least one renewal cycle after completion.

CFP Renewal Fees

The CFP Board charges a biennial certification fee due at renewal. As of 2026, the standard renewal fee is approximately $355 for a two-year renewal period. The CFP Board adjusts fees periodically — always verify the current fee in your renewal portal.

No late fee option exists — if you miss the renewal deadline, your certification lapses and you must pay a reinstatement fee (which is higher than the renewal fee) plus meet additional requirements.

What Happens If Your CFP Lapses

If you miss your renewal deadline without completing the CE and fee requirements, your CFP certification lapses. A lapsed CFP certificant may NOT use the CFP marks (CFP® or Certified Financial Planner™) until reinstated.

Reinstatement process:

• You must apply for reinstatement through the CFP Board portal
• A reinstatement fee applies (higher than the standard renewal fee — check current CFP Board rates)
• You must complete all outstanding CE requirements that were due at the time of lapse
• Background check may be required depending on how long the certification has been lapsed
• If lapsed more than 5 years, you may be required to retake the CFP exam rather than simply reinstate

To avoid lapse, set calendar reminders 6 months and 3 months before your renewal deadline. Most CE can be completed online in evenings and weekends — 30 hours over 2 years is approximately 1.25 hours per month.