The Professional Financial Advisor™ (PFA) Program Policies
Professional Financial Advisor™
(PFA™) Designation Program
PFA Program Policies
Become the Financial Advisor Clients Trust
$1,250*
*Plus tax for Advocis Members. Non-Members pay $2,250 + tax.
Online Access Restrictions
Please note that all Advocis courses are delivered online via the Advocis Learning Environment (ALE). For cybersecurity reasons, course content and associated assessments (e.g., quiz, exam, etc.) can only be accessed within Canada or the United States. Please be sure to plan your studies so that you are able to access course content, assignments, quizzes, and exams from an IP address located in Canada or the US.
Program Cancellation Policy
You have 10 days from the date of registration to withdraw from your PFA program and receive a partial refund. No refunds will be issued after the 10-day period. The refund amount will be calculated based on the registration fee paid minus a cancellation fee of $97 + taxes.
Program Extension Policy
If you are not able to complete the PFA program within the two-year enrollment period you will need to re-enroll in the entire program. Advocis reserves the right to offer a 90-day extension due to extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for an extension.
Important Notes
Supporting documentation will be required.
- Extension will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- The extension would be added to your original two-year enrollment period.
- If the program is not completed within the 90-day extension and you wish to continue, re-enrollment in the entire PFA program will be required. All previously completed course work and assessments will be reset and must be completed again.
Exemptions
Designation Holders
Individuals who hold the following designations and wish to pursue the CLU, CHS, or the PFA1 program are eligible to apply for the corresponding exemptions.
Designation | Eligible for the following exemption(s): |
CFP® | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
QAFP™ | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
CFA® | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
CPA | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
PFP® and CSI’s Lending, Retirement & Insurance Supplement (LRIS) Course2 | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
Pl. Fin. | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
AVA (QC) | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program · Advanced Concepts in Tax & Law for Personal Planning (CLU 255) · Tax and Legal Principles for Businesses and their Owners (CLU 256) |
TEP | · Advanced Estate Planning (CLU 257) |
1 PFA courses 1, 2, and 3 include an exam covering select Financial Planning modules. Candidates may apply for the above exemptions upon enrolling in the PFA program. Please note that a grade of 60% will be applied to the exempted FP module exam(s).
2 Holders of the PFP are exempt from the entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program, if they have successfully completed CSI’s Lending, Retirement & Insurance Supplement (LRIS) course.
Required Supporting Documentation: Applicants must provide one of the following:
- Letter of Good Standing
- Designation Certificate
Program Completed
Individuals who have completed the following program are eligible to apply for the corresponding exemption.
Course/Program | Eligible for the following exemption: |
FP Canada Approved Core Curriculum Program | · Entire Advocis Financial Planning Fundamentals Program |
Required Supporting Documentation: Applicants must provide the following:
- Transcript
Additional Exam and Quiz Attempts
| Assessment | Attempts Included with Enrollment | Additional Attempts Available | Fee per Additional Attempt (+ Taxes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FP Exam (PFA course 1, 2, and 3) | 3 | No additional attempts | N/A |
| Assignment 3.1 Quiz (PFA course 3) | 3 | No additional attempts | N/A |
| Ethics Quiz 1, or Quiz 2, or Quiz 3 (PFA course 4) | 3 | No additional attempts | N/A |
| Course Exam (All four PFA courses) | 3 | No additional attempts | N/A |
| Final Comprehensive Exam | 1 | 2 additional attempts | Members: $150 Non-members: $350 |
Become the Financial Advisor Clients Trust
$1,250*