Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) FAQs

Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) FAQ

To earn the CLU designation, you must have successfully completed the Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program and then complete the three CLU Designation Courses. Once you have completed the education components, you will be asked to complete the following two forms:

1. CLU Experience Requirement Application
2. CLU Candidate Agreement Form

These forms will be emailed to you once you have successfully completed the final CLU education course (CLU 257). At the time of application you must attest to having completed at least four years of experience within, or related to, the financial services industry.

Are there any pre-requisites for the CLU program?

Yes, you must hold one of the following designations in good standing before enrolling in the CLU program: CFP®, QAFP®, CFA, CPA, Pl.Fin., AVA (QC). Proof of designation in good standing will be required during your enrollment in the Advanced Concepts in Tax and Law for Personal Planning (CLU 255) course.

If you do not hold one of these designations, you must complete the Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program before enrolling in the CLU program.

I am currently enrolled in the previous Financial Planning Fundamentals Program (CLU pre-requisite, 900 FP Module Series). What is the process for migrating to the new Financial Planning Fundamentals Program?

To help you transition smoothly, we’ve created a custom registration process. Please review the Migration Pathways to understand your next step. To move into the next course in the new Financial Planning Fundamentals Program, you must complete the collection of modules for each course equivalency.

Example:

If you have completed:

Financial Analysis (FP 912)
Credit & Debt (FP 913)
Taxation (FP 919)

You’ll need to finish Financial Planning Profession & Financial Services Industry Regulation (FP 911). Once completed, you’ll move into the new program and complete:

Investment Planning & Economics (FP 252) and
Retirement Planning & Government Benefits (FP 253)

Migration Pathway Chart

If you require guidance on your next steps, or are ready to register, please contact Member Services.

How long do I have to complete the CLU program (CLU 255, CLU 256, CLU 257)?

You have four years to complete the three CLU® courses (CLU 255, CLU 256, CLU 257) from the time you register for the CLU 255 course.

Can I switch or defer my enrollment for the CLU 257 to the next semester if I am unable to attend the semester I’m currently enrolled in?

Unfortunately, switching or deferring enrollment to next semester is not an option. However, you can cancel your current enrollment and may be eligible for a partial refund if your cancellation is submitted within the specified cancellation period. Please refer to our cancellation policy for further details.

Can I defer my CLU 257 exam if I am unable to write the exam on the scheduled date?

Yes. If you are unable to write your CLU 257 exam on the scheduled date, you may defer it to the next available exam session, which will be held in the next semester. Exam Deferral Policy details and fee.

Do I receive a certificate for completing the CLU designation program?

Yes. Once you have successfully completed the CLU® designation program, you will receive notification from The Institute for Advanced Financial Education (“The Institute”). At that time you will be invited to apply for the designation. Upon receipt of your designation agreement and payment of designation dues, your CLU® certificate will be ordered. Delivery of the certificate may take four to six weeks.

What are the CE requirements for maintaining my CLU designation?

A minimum of 30 continuing education (CE) credits must be completed each calendar year, including two hours from a recognized Ethics program. Within these 30 hours, a minimum of 15 CE credits must be Institute-accredited and up to a maximum of 15 CE credits can be Institute-approved. For more information on CE, please visit our Continuing Education page.