# Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP)

> The QAFP is a Canadian financial planning certification from FP Canada, a step below the CFP, that lets its holders use the Financial Planner title in Ontario.

Canonical page: https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/qafp/
Also called: QAFP, QAFP professional

Candidates complete an FP Canada-approved Fundamentals program and the QAFP Professional Education Program, pass a three-hour, 100-question exam, hold at least a two-year post-secondary diploma (or have five years of qualifying experience), and log one year of qualifying work experience. They agree to FP Canada's Code of Ethics, which requires putting clients' interests first.

To keep it, QAFP professionals complete 12 continuing education credits each year, including at least one in professional responsibility. CFP professionals need 25.

FP Canada describes the QAFP as a way to enter financial planning sooner, and many holders go on to the CFP. Ontario's regulator, FSRA, approved it in 2022 as a credential for the Financial Planner title. It says nothing about how the planner is paid.

In the public graph, 13 of the 24,501 fee-only advisors list the QAFP.

## How to check

Search the person in FP Canada's Planner Directory, which shows current certification and any FP Canada discipline. In Ontario, FSRA's Check Credentials tool confirms who may use the Financial Planner title.

## Sources

- [FP Canada: direct path to QAFP certification](https://www.fpcanada.ca/about-our-certifications/paths-to-certification/qafp-certification)
- [FP Canada: continuing education requirements](https://www.fpcanada.ca/career/continuing-education/continuing-education-requirements)
- [FP Canada Planner Directory](https://www.fpcanada.ca/planner-directory)
- [FSRA: approved credentialing bodies and credentials](https://www.fsrao.ca/industry/financial-planners-and-financial-advisors/approved-credentialing-bodies-and-credentials)

## Related terms

- [CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification](https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/cfp.md)
- [Personal Financial Planner (PFP)](https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/pfp.md)
- [Chartered Investment Manager (CIM)](https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/cim.md)
- [Advice-only financial planning](https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/advice-only.md)
- [Fee-only financial advisor](https://find.wellspent.co/glossary/fee-only.md)