Which statement is false regarding continuing professional education and degree requirements for CFP certificants?

Which statement is false regarding continuing professional education and degree requirements for CFP certificants?

• A. I. A CFP certificant does not have to continue to learn and improve professionally once the CFP designation is earned.
• B. II. A CFP certificant must have an advanced degree in the area of services being provided to meet the competency requirements.
• C. I and II
• D. Neither I nor II

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that maintaining the CFP designation relies on ongoing learning and does not hinge on having an advanced degree in the service area. First, continuing education is required to keep the CFP credential. Stopping learning after earning the designation isn’t allowed, so the statement that a CFP certificant does not have to continue learning is false. Second, there is no mandate to hold an advanced degree in the area of services to meet competency. While CFP certificants must have a bachelor’s degree and complete CFP Board–approved education plus experience and pass the certification exam, an advanced degree in the specific service area isn’t required for competency. The pathway to competency comes through the approved education, experience, and ongoing CE, not a mandatory advanced degree in that field. Because both statements are false, the correct choice is the one that asserts both are false.

The key idea is that maintaining the CFP designation relies on ongoing learning and does not hinge on having an advanced degree in the service area.

First, continuing education is required to keep the CFP credential. Stopping learning after earning the designation isn’t allowed, so the statement that a CFP certificant does not have to continue learning is false.

Second, there is no mandate to hold an advanced degree in the area of services to meet competency. While CFP certificants must have a bachelor’s degree and complete CFP Board–approved education plus experience and pass the certification exam, an advanced degree in the specific service area isn’t required for competency. The pathway to competency comes through the approved education, experience, and ongoing CE, not a mandatory advanced degree in that field.

Because both statements are false, the correct choice is the one that asserts both are false.