Education · 1 of 5
The path
A degree, licensing exams, and a certification that takes real experience hours.
- 1
High school
Grade 12
Math, economics and any business class. Just as important, get comfortable talking to adults you do not know.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Any subject works, but personal financial planning, finance, accounting, economics or math prepare you best. Some degrees include the certification coursework.
- 3
Get licensed for what you will sell
A few months
The Series 65 exam to advise for a fee, or securities and insurance licenses if you sell products. Which ones depends on the firm.
- 4
Work as a paraplanner
2 to 3 years
Build plans behind a senior advisor, sit in on meetings, learn the software and the conversations before you own a client.
- 5
Finish the Certified Financial Planner requirements
18 to 24 months
Coursework, a 170-question exam in two 3-hour sessions on one day, 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship, plus an ethics declaration and background check.