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Using the marks

The CFP® certification marks indicate you have met CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements and have agreed to adhere to CFP Board’s high standards of professional competency and ethics.

The trademarks must be displayed under strict use and reproduction guidelines established by CFP Board.

Guide to Using the CFP® Certification Marks

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CFP® Certification Marks Guidelines
Using the CFP® Mark
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  • Always use capital letters.
  • Never use periods.
  • Always use the ® symbol.
  • Always use with one of CFP Board's approved nouns ("certificant," "professional," "practitioner," "certification," "mark" or "exam") unless on the same line directly following the name of the individual certified by CFP Board.
  • Always associate with the individual(s) certified by CFP Board.
  • The CFP® mark must not be used as a parenthetical abbreviation for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark must not be used as a parenthetical expansion of the CFP® mark. Improper Use: “John Doe is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional,” and “Jane Doe is a CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) professional.”
  • Certificants are strictly prohibited from using the CFP® mark and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark in domain names/URLs and email addresses used by them.
  • Always use capital letters or small cap font.
  • Always use the ™ symbol.
  • Always use with one of CFP Board's approved nouns ("certificant," "professional," "practitioner," "certification," "mark" or "exam") unless on the same line directly following the name of the individual certified by CFP Board.
  • Always associate with the individual(s) certified by CFP Board.
  • The CFP® mark must not be used as a parenthetical abbreviation for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark must not be used as a parenthetical expansion of the CFP® mark. Improper Use: “John Doe is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional,” and “Jane Doe is a CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) professional.”
  • Certificants are strictly prohibited from using the CFP® mark and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark in domain names/URLs and email addresses used by them.
  • Always reproduce the logo from original artwork.
  • Never alter or modify the logo.
  • Always associate with the individual(s) certified by CFP Board.
  • Maintain a minimum size of 0.5 in in print or 50 px on screen.
  • Always maintain clear space around the mark to maintain legibility.

Artwork for the CFP® mark is available to CFP® professionals in a variety of formats and sizes.

Download CFP® Marks Artwork
(for CFP® professionals only)

CFP Board’s legal tagline is required when using the certification marks on all websites, marketing materials and other promotional materials. The tagline is as follows:

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

CFP Board will generally grant you permission to use content or reprint additional copies of copyrighted materials, upon a written request.

To submit a request, download the Copyright Permission Request form and send the completed (signed and dated) PDF form via email to trademark@cfpboard.org. You may also forward the completed form to CFP Board by mail or fax to:

CFP Board
Attention: Trademark Department
1425 K Street NW #800
Washington, DC 20005

Fax: 202-379-2299

CFP Board's Trademark Department will review your request and notify you by email if your request has been approved or if we need more information.

If you have questions about CFP Board's trademark usage guidelines, or would like CFP Board to review business materials you are developing that feature the CFP® certification marks, please contact us at 800-487-1497 or trademark@cfpboard.org.

SEC Form ADV 2B: Language for CFP® Professionals

Once certified and eligible to use the CFP® marks, CFP® professionals can list CFP® certification on their SEC Form ADV 2B (“Item 2 — Educational Background and Business Experience”). CFP Board provides language to use for that listing. Form ADV 2B requires an explanation of the minimum qualifications for CFP® certification to allow clients to understand the value of the certification.

Language for SEC Form ADV 2B

CFP Store Images

Display Your CFP® Marks with Pride

CFP Board's online store offers CFP® professionals a range of products with the CFP® mark. Choose from mugs, notebooks, shirts and more, to help show your CFP® certification to friends, family, and clients.

Visit the online store