CFP Board Sees Record Growth in Certificants and Exam Candidates
Event summary
- CFP Board reported a record 107,529 CFP® professionals as of December 31, 2025, up 4.3% from 2024.
- Exam candidates reached an all-time high of 11,037 in 2025, a 5.7% increase over 2024.
- LPL became the first firm to exceed 6,000 CFP® professionals, while Edward Jones surpassed 5,000.
- CFP Board awarded $714,583 in scholarships, an 8.4% increase from 2024.
The big picture
The record growth in CFP® professionals and exam candidates underscores the increasing value placed on financial planning certification amid evolving public policy and technological advancements. The surge in diverse talent and firm-specific concentration highlights both opportunities and potential structural shifts within the industry. CFP Board's expanded awareness campaigns and legislative victories further solidify its position as the standard-bearer for financial planning credentials.
What we're watching
- Diversity Momentum
- Whether the 9.3% growth in racially and ethnically diverse CFP® professionals can be sustained as the profession expands.
- Firm Dependence
- How the concentration of CFP® professionals at firms like LPL and Edward Jones may impact industry dynamics.
- Public Awareness Impact
- The pace at which consumer preference for CFP® certification (82%) translates into tangible business growth for certificants.
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