Certified Personal Finance Counselor™ (CPFC™)

This program is designed for financial counselors. Certification ensures that individuals have been trained and tested in counseling skills and the elements of financial management. Upon completion of the program, the CPFC™ will have the essential tools needed to further their professional advancement and assist their clients to alter ineffective money management patterns.  

Exam Fees (includes enrollment, training manual, exam, and certificate):

For Profit Employee           $350

Non Profit Employee          $295

Government Employee       $295

The Training Manual is divided into four parts:

Part I of the program details Communication and Counseling techniques:

•     Communications- This includes listening skills, obstacles to effective communications, improving communication skills, and counseling formats.

•     Cognitive issues and problem solving- Included are sections on learning styles, emotional issues regarding money, information gathering, and problem solving/decision making experience.

Part II of the program details Elements of Financial Management:

•     Detailed discussion of money management, credit, debt management, investing and retirement, and insurance topics.

Part III Consumer Protection Legislation

Part IV The Resource Guide includes:

•     Worksheets- This includes a budget worksheet, a daily spending log, a net worth worksheet, a financial goal list, and a financial goal action plan

•     Enrollment forms and guidelines

•     Glossary of terms

•     Credit bureau contact information

•     Code of Ethics

•     Websites- both federal and consumer resources

•     Practice exam

The program was designed to be self-study. It is followed by a 100 multiple choice proctored exam. A grade of 70% or better is needed to pass.

The CPFC™ certification is valid for a two year period. Candidates enrolled after January 1st, 2008 will be subject to a $50 certificate reissue fee every two years. This fee covers the costs associated with processing continuing education and reissuing the certificate.  There are no annual membership fees.

There is a 20 Continuing Education Unit requirement over the two year period.  The two year period is effective from the date the exam was taken. Two CEUs must be taken in counseling techniques, and two must be taken in ethics.  Should an individual who holds a valid certification from another recognized certification agency enroll in the CPFC™ program, 14 CEUs will be granted with proof of said certification upon passing of the CPFC™ exam.

Certification approved in the following states:

COLORADO

http://www.ago.state.co.us/UCCC/DMCertProgs.cfm

 DELAWARE

http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/consumers/protection/brochure/approvedcrdtcnscert.pdf

MAINE

HTTP://WWW.MAINE.GOV/PFR/CONSUMERCREDIT/DEBTMANAGMENTCERT/APPROVED.HTML

MONTANA

UTAH

http://www.dcp.utah.gov/education/credit_counselor_cert_programs.pdf

Certification recognized in the following states:

CALIFORNIA

TEXAS

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

Certification pending in the following states:

RHODE ISLAND

The CPFC has been approved for 6 hours of Continuing Education for the CFP Board of Standards

The CPFC has been approved for 6 hours of Continuing Professional Education by the State of South Carolina, as per Section 37-7-105 of the South Carolina Consumer Credit Counseling Act

The CPFC is recognized by the Executive Office of the US Trustees as a valid credit counselor certification program

The CPFC is a recognized  by creditors as a valid credit counselor certification program.

Click here for a CPFC™ Enrollment from.

Or contact our Director:

Lori Pollack

Director of Certification

207-221-3615 (P)

207-221-3681 (F)

lpollack@financiallit.org