CFP Board

"I feel so dismissed and unsupported after my last call with the examinations team. The tone was apathetic at best. Full disclosure I have been in the industry for 4+ years and have my masters. I just wanted my test cost covered for Nov 2023 because I have potential cIients waiting for me to get this credential; I have no choice but to test again. I recently took the CFP Board exam and feel compelled to share my extremely disappointing and frustrating experience with both the exam process and the testing center, Prometric. This whole ordeal has left me convinced that the CFP Board exam testing experience is nothing short of a scam and a way to collect $$$ , and Prometric's unprofessionalism only adds to the misery. Mar 2023: I was not able to take the exam even though I received a confirmation. The error was that they never processed my payment. In addition, when I arrived at the testing facility the internet was down due to an overheating closet. I had a 90 minute delay before even finding out I could not test. The lack of professionalism was staggering. The staff appeared untrained and disinterested in providing any form of assistance. I witnessed candidates waiting for hours due to technical glitches and administrative errors. This not only causes undue stress but also wastes precious time that could be better spent focusing on the exam itself. The CFP Board still uses Prometric with its perils. July 2023: Test confirmed and paid. Woke up Thursday to a cancelled test. Rescheduled for the Sunday immediately after, arrived at testing location to be told I cannot take the test because the internet was not working and they could not download my test. Under duress and stress I had to settle for a remote test at home, which again gave me about a 60/75 start delay due to technical difficulties that extended beyond the basic set up info they send for preparation. I did not pass. All-in-all the exam environment was far from conducive to serious testing. It's incredible how an organization that claims to uphold the integrity of financial planning professionals would subject candidates to such subpar experience for such a high-stakes exam. The technical issues I encountered during this whole process, as much as I thought I was un-phased, had a deeper affect than initially perceived The whole experience left me unnerved, frustrated, questioning the authenticity of the CFP Board's commitment to maintaining professional standards. The fact that they partner with Prometric, a company that clearly lacks the infrastructure and professionalism required for a smooth testing experience, speaks volumes about their priorities. Candidates invest time, money, and effort into pursuing this certification, only to be met with a barrage of obstacles and disappointments. It's hard to believe that such a critical step in one's professional journey could be so mishandled by the very institutions that should be ensuring its fairness and credibility. My advice: approach the CFP certification process with caution, and demand better from both the CFP Board and the testing center they've chosen to partner with."

""The result of our review of your complaint is not being made public. As a result, CFP Board is unable to provide you with any additional information beyond the information in this letter." This is the response to a complaint about a "cfp". Just trust them that they are looking out for your interests and that your "cfp" is also. A hoax. Do NOT use a certified financial planner. You WILL be manipulated, it's what they do, it's their livelihood. Take your money and invest in a safe balanced mutual fund or ETF. This "cfp" stuff will LOSE you money, big time. AND, always expect a disingenuous canned spin response, such as the one below, from such a corrupt 'board'. Btw, check out one of their favorite investments, FS Investments in Phila. The energy and power fund still does not let you take your own money out! Been locked and losing $$ for years."

"The most professional, knowledgeable people loving group on K Street! This body is devoted truly to a higher cause. Their standards ensure excellence and transparency in an industry where it is greatly needed. From the CEO to the board to the foundation and staff. Every individual shows their commitment to standards and their passion for helping better other's lives."

"This board which certifies and supposedly provides oversight to Certified Financial Planners is a shame. They exist not for the average investor on the street, but for the CFPs that pay them money to be on their list. I presented the board with solid evidence that my CFP was not living up to his fiduciary responsibility (refused to provide a fee discount as stated in client documents), had lied in writing about his credentials (was a licensed broker, but our contract started that he was not) and reneged on a referral fee after offering one and one was made by me. All this was explained to an investigator and extensive documentation was presented to this individual. I was told there were several possible outcomes of a CFP Board investigation. Everything from formal published sanctions to a nondisclosure action. I believe my case, though substantially backed up with indisputable evidence, was biasly handled. I was told that the CFP board decided on a non-public disclosure action. What I was told that meant was that I would never know what actions, if any, were taken. That is so unfair. It amounts to “We can't tell you anything about anything”. Even though I spent my time presenting a solid case, I guess I know where the CFP Board’s bread is buttered. Whenever there is financial gain involved in one’s decision making there is going to be suspicion about how fair the ruling is. It is the CFP that is paying fees to the Board, not investors. When a non-disclosure decision was made the suspicion very well is supported. In my eyes that is the worst, and possibly most unfair, outcome of my case. Hiding everything from everyone, including me, the complainant. Shame on the CFP Board."