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The Professional Financial Advisor™ (PFA) FAQ

31 July 2025
PFA Designation

PFA Program FAQ

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*Plus tax for Advocis Members. Non-Members pay $2,250 + tax.

Program

Can I cancel my Professional Financial Advisor (PFA™) program registration?

Yes. Please click here for cancellation policy.

Who is the PFA for?

The PFA program is designed for newer advisors as well as those who are established practitioners. Designed to meet the everyday demands of an advisor’s practice, the program is focused on the disciplines of financial planning, practice development, compliance & regulatory topics, ethics and professional standards.

What is the structure of the PFA?

The PFA is an integrated, 4-course program that will engage candidates in actively strengthening practice development skills; deepening technical financial planning and regulatory knowledge; incorporating ethical practices into a sustainable financial advisory business; as well as developing sales, business and marketing skills. Candidates will be assessed via a series of exams and a Final Comprehensive Exam.

Are there course equivalencies?

Yes. Individuals who complete a financial planning fundamentals program may qualify for exemptions from the corresponding FP Exams included in the PFA program courses.

How does the PFA differ from the CLU®, CFP® or CHS™?

This designation is unique and distinct from the CLU®, CFP® and CHS™. It is designed to bridge technical financial planning knowledge, regulatory responsibilities and ethics to real-world practice.

Are there prerequisites to the PFA designation program?

There are no required prerequisites.

Courses

Are the courses delivered in-person or online?

All courses and assessments are delivered entirely online.

How will I be tested on each course?

PFA courses 1, 2, and 3 you will be tested as follows:
  • One Financial Planning Exam
  • One Course Exam
PFA course 4 you will be tested as follows:
  • Three Ethics Quizzes
  • One Course Exam

I enrolled in the PFA Program after August 4, 2025. What is my deadline to complete the program?

You have two years from your enrollment date to complete all four courses.

 I enrolled in an individual PFA course before August 5, 2025. What is my deadline to complete it?

You have six months from your enrollment date to complete the course.

Can I complete the PFA courses in any order?

No. The courses must be completed in the prescribed order, starting with Course 1, Business Elements. Once each course is successfully completed, access to the next course will be granted.

Will I receive CE credits after completing each PFA course?

Yes. CE credits will be issued via your CE Tracker upon successful completion of each PFA course.

What happens if I am unable to successfully complete one of the PFA courses?

If you are unable to successfully complete one of the PFA courses, you will not be able to progress further in the program. To continue, you will need to re-register in the program, pay the full registration fee, and re-take all previously completed courses and assessments.

Final Comprehensive Exam

Is the Final Comprehensive Exam included in the program fee?

Yes. Your initial program registration includes the Final Comprehensive Exam. However, you are still required to register for the exam (first attempt).
Note: Candidates enrolled in the previous PFA program are required to pay a separate fee for the Final Comprehensive Exam (first and second attempt).

Is there a deadline to register for the Final Comprehensive Exam (first and second attempt)?

Yes. Once you have successfully completed all four PFA courses, you have one year to register for the exam (first and second attempt).

What if I fail the Final Comprehensive Exam on the first attempt?

You may purchase a second attempt. Please click here to review our additional attempts policy, fee structure, and registration process.

What if I do not pass after two attempts?

You will need to re-register in the program, pay the full registration fee, and re-do all courses.

When is the PFA Comprehensive Exam scheduled?

Click here to view the schedule for upcoming PFA Comprehensive Exam dates and times.

What content will be tested on the PFA Comprehensive Exam?

The PFA Comprehensive Exam will test knowledge from the following areas covered in the PFA program courses:
  • Practice Development.
  • Compliance & Regulatory Topics for Financial Advisors
    • Note: Financial Planning content included in the PFA program courses will not be tested.

Designation

When will I receive my PFA designation?

Once you have completed the PFA program and final comprehensive exam, you will be provided with the PFA Designation Holder’s Agreement to complete and submit. Upon processing the completed agreement, you will be notified when you can begin using the designation.

Is there a fee to apply for my PFA designation? Is there a renewal fee?

The Institute’s annual designation fees are now part of the Annual Advocis Membership fee ($1,060 + applicable taxes). For more information please visit: Membership Benefits – Advocis. Please note: if you are an Advocis provisional member, you must become a full member to hold a designation. As a designation holder, if you operate in Ontario, you will also be billed an Ontario regulation fee of $80 plus tax. This fee is a requirement of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).

What are the CE requirements for maintaining my PFA designation?

A minimum of 20 continuing education (CE) credits must be completed each calendar year, including one hour from a recognized Ethics program. Within these 20 credits, a minimum of 10 CE credits must be Institute-accredited and up to a maximum of 10 CE credits can be Institute-approved. For more information on CE, please visit our Continuing Education page.
Course Descriptions
Program Policies
Program FAQ

Become the Financial Advisor Clients Trust

Member Pricing
$1,250*
Register Now
Content on-demand | Streamlined content – Flexible learning – Online Learning | Customizable study schedules