CFP Exam Pass Rate Overview
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam has an overall pass rate of approximately 65-67% based on data published by the CFP Board of Standards. While this places the CFP exam in the moderately difficult range among professional certifications, it still means roughly 1 in 3 candidates do not pass on any given attempt.
Unlike some certification bodies, the CFP Board publishes pass rate data after each exam window, giving candidates a clear picture of what to expect. The figures in this guide are drawn from official CFP Board reports and historical exam administration data from 2019 through 2025.
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Overall CFP Exam Pass Rate
The CFP exam pass rate has historically ranged between 60% and 72%, depending on the exam window and the composition of test-takers. Here is a summary of the most recent data:
| Metric | Rate |
|---|---|
| Overall pass rate (all takers) | ~65-67% |
| First-time taker pass rate | ~70-72% |
| Repeat taker pass rate | ~48-52% |
First-time takers consistently outperform repeat takers by a significant margin. This pattern is common across professional certification exams and underscores the importance of thorough preparation before your first attempt.
First-Time vs Repeat Taker Pass Rates
| Category | Approximate Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| First-time takers | ~70-72% |
| Repeat takers | ~48-52% |
| All takers combined | ~65-67% |
Why Do Repeat Takers Have Lower Pass Rates?
Repeat takers tend to struggle for several reasons:
- Same study approach - Many repeat takers do not change their study methods, so they repeat the same mistakes
- Knowledge gaps persist - Without targeted remediation of weak domains, the same topics cause problems
- Confidence erosion - Failing once can create test anxiety that affects performance on retakes
- Incomplete review - Some repeat takers study only the topics they failed, ignoring the integrated nature of the CFP exam
- Time gap - Waiting too long between attempts allows previously learned material to fade
Key takeaway: If you are retaking the CFP exam, fundamentally change your study strategy. Focus on your weakest principal knowledge domains, use practice case studies, and consider a structured review course.
Historical CFP Exam Pass Rate Trends (2019-2025)
The CFP Board has published pass rate data after each exam administration. Here are the historical trends:
| Year | March Window | July Window | November Window | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~66% | ~65% | ~67% | ~66% |
| 2024 | ~65% | ~64% | ~66% | ~65% |
| 2023 | ~65% | ~63% | ~67% | ~65% |
| 2022 | ~64% | ~62% | ~66% | ~64% |
| 2021 | ~67% | ~65% | ~69% | ~67% |
| 2020 | ~66% | ~63% | ~72% | ~67% |
| 2019 | ~62% | ~65% | ~66% | ~64% |
Key Observations from the Data
- Remarkable stability - The overall pass rate has remained in the 64-67% range across seven years, showing the CFP Board maintains consistent exam difficulty
- November windows tend to be slightly higher - The November exam window often has the highest pass rate, possibly because candidates have more time to prepare after the July window
- COVID-era bump - The 2020 November window saw an elevated 72% pass rate, likely due to candidates having additional study time during lockdowns and a smaller, more prepared testing pool
- Post-2022 normalization - Pass rates have stabilized back to the long-term average of 65-67%
Pass Rate by Exam Window (March, July, November)
The CFP exam is offered three times per year. Each window shows slightly different pass rates:
| Exam Window | Typical Pass Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~64-66% | Many candidates from the November cohort retaking |
| July | ~62-65% | Often the lowest pass rate; summer preparation challenges |
| November | ~66-69% | Typically highest; candidates have longest preparation runway |
Why November Tends to Have Higher Pass Rates
- Longer study runway - Candidates who decide to sit in November often begin studying in June or July, giving them 4-5 months
- Fewer repeat takers - The November window tends to attract more first-time takers who have just completed their education requirement
- Year-end motivation - Many candidates want to earn the CFP designation before the new year for career advancement
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CFP Exam vs Other Finance Certifications
How does the CFP exam compare to other major professional certification exams?
| Certification | Pass Rate | Number of Exams | Total Study Hours | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFP | ~65-67% | 1 exam (170 Q) | 250-300 hours | Bachelor's + CFP coursework |
| CPA | ~45-55% | 4 sections | 300-400 hours | 150 credit hours |
| EA (Enrolled Agent) | ~70% | 3 parts | 130-165 hours | None |
| CFA Level I | ~35-45% | 3 levels total | 300+ hours per level | Bachelor's (or final year) |
| Series 7 | ~72% | 1 exam (125 Q) | 80-120 hours | FINRA sponsorship |
| Series 65 | ~72% | 1 exam (130 Q) | 40-80 hours | None |
Key Comparisons
- CFP vs CPA: The CFP has a notably higher pass rate (~65-67% vs ~45-55%). However, the CPA requires four separate exam sections. The CFP requires specific coursework through a CFP Board-registered program plus a bachelor's degree.
- CFP vs EA: The EA exam has a higher pass rate (~70%) and no education requirements, making it more accessible. However, the EA is limited to tax representation, while the CFP covers comprehensive financial planning.
- CFP vs CFA: The CFA Level I exam has significantly lower pass rates (~35-45%), and the entire CFA program takes most candidates 3-5 years to complete across three levels. The CFP is faster to achieve but covers a different scope.
- CFP vs Series 7/65: Securities exams have higher pass rates but are narrower in scope and do not confer the same breadth of financial planning authority.
What Determines Whether You Pass the CFP Exam
Factors That Increase Your Pass Rate
- Complete a structured study program - Candidates who follow a comprehensive review course pass at rates above 75%
- 250-300 hours of dedicated study - The CFP Board recommends this range, and candidates who meet it perform significantly better
- Practice with case studies - The CFP exam uses item sets (mini-case studies), so practicing with this format is critical
- Strong foundation across all 8 domains - The exam tests integrated knowledge; weakness in any single domain can be fatal
- Take full-length timed practice exams - Simulating the 6-hour, two-session format builds stamina and time management skills
Factors That Decrease Your Pass Rate
- Under-studying - Candidates who study fewer than 200 hours have significantly lower pass rates
- Ignoring case study format - Studying only standalone questions without practicing integrated case studies
- Weak coverage of any domain - The exam has minimum performance thresholds, so you cannot rely on strengths alone
- Poor time management - The exam has two 3-hour sessions with 85 questions each; running out of time is a common failure point
- Outdated study materials - Tax laws, regulations, and planning strategies change regularly; always use current-year materials
CFP Exam Format Quick Reference
Understanding the exam structure helps you prepare more effectively:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 170 multiple-choice |
| Scored questions | 170 (no pretest items disclosed) |
| Format | Standalone + item sets (case studies) |
| Duration | 6 hours total (two 3-hour sessions) |
| Sessions | Morning (85 questions) + Afternoon (85 questions) |
| Break | 40-minute scheduled break between sessions |
| Passing score | Not publicly disclosed (criterion-referenced) |
| Results | Approximately 4-6 weeks after exam window |
How to Improve Your CFP Exam Pass Rate
1. Master All 8 Principal Knowledge Domains
The CFP exam covers these domains with approximate weights:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Financial Planning Process | ~7% |
| Risk Management & Insurance | ~11% |
| Investment Planning | ~17% |
| Tax Planning | ~14% |
| Retirement Savings & Income Planning | ~18% |
| Estate Planning | ~11% |
| Financial Plan Development | ~10% |
| Psychology of Financial Planning | ~12% |
Focus your study time proportionally, but ensure you have at least basic competency in every domain.
2. Practice Integrated Case Studies
Approximately 40-50% of CFP exam questions appear as item sets tied to case studies. These require you to:
- Read a detailed client scenario (income, assets, goals, family situation)
- Answer 3-8 questions based on that scenario
- Apply knowledge from multiple domains simultaneously
- Manage your time across complex fact patterns
3. Use AI to Fill Knowledge Gaps
When you encounter a topic you do not understand, use AI-powered tools to get instant explanations. AI can break down complex financial planning concepts like required minimum distributions, Roth conversion strategies, or estate tax calculations into clear, step-by-step explanations.
4. Take Timed Full-Length Practice Exams
Simulate the real exam experience:
- Complete 85 questions in 3 hours (morning session)
- Take a 40-minute break
- Complete another 85 questions in 3 hours (afternoon session)
- Review every wrong answer and understand the reasoning
5. Review the CFP Board Exam Topic List
The CFP Board publishes an updated exam topic list that outlines exactly what can be tested. Use this as your study roadmap to ensure full coverage.
What Happens If You Fail the CFP Exam
If you do not pass the CFP exam:
- You can retake the exam at the next available window (March, July, or November)
- There is no limit on the number of retakes, but you must re-register and pay the exam fee each time
- The exam fee is approximately $925 per attempt (as of 2025-2026)
- You will receive a score report indicating your performance by domain, which helps focus your retake preparation
- Your CFP education coursework and experience requirements remain valid and do not need to be repeated