Exceptions announced as COVID-19 pandemic affects students' ability to progress
The FP Canada Institute has declared special exceptions to accommodate certain individuals whose journey to CFP certification has been slowed down by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“These are unprecedented times and it’s essential to find ways to adapt,” Tom Hamza, head of the FP Canada Institute, said in a statement. “We are taking these steps to provide flexibility to students looking to continue to advance their learning in pursuit of CFP certification.”
Under the institute’s prescribed path to certification, the Core and Advanced Curricula, as well as the FP Canada Institute’s Introduction to Professional Ethics (IPE) course, are prerequisites for candidates to enroll in the CFP Professional Education Program.
However, certain professional education providers, including the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) and the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), have had to suspend all in-person exams until further notice in light of serious public health risks posed by the outbreak.
“To support students seeking to progress in their learning and complete the CFP Professional Education Program, the FP Canada Institute is making special exceptions for students enrolled in prerequisite courses with CIFP and CSI,” the institute said.
Enrolment into the CFP Professional Education Program cohorts beginning in May, June, or July will be allowed for students who are:
- Currently enrolled in the CIFP Income Tax Planning (FP2ITP) course, provided that they have successfully completed the Retirement Planning (FP1RP), Risk Management and Estate Planning (FP1RMEP) and Strategic Investment Planning (FP2SIP) courses;
- Currently enrolled in the CSI Financial Planning II (FPII) course, and have successfully finished either the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) or Investment Funds in Canada (IFC) and the Financial Planning I (FPI) courses;
- Currently enrolled in the Financial Planning Supplement (FPS) and have successfully done the Investment Funds in Canada, Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Building a Mutual Funds Advisory Practice courses; or
- Currently enrolled in the Financial Planning Supplement course (FPS) and have successfully completed the Canadian Securities and Wealth Management Essentials courses.
Read more: A mutual fund dealer’s guide to IFC course
