Your Journey to Becoming a Financial Planning Professional

Embark on a structured and rewarding educational journey designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and ethical foundation required to deliver professional financial planning services.

FPI’s education pathway is built on globally aligned competency frameworks, ensuring that candidates develop the technical expertise, professional behaviours and applied capabilities expected of financial planning professionals.

By completing approved qualifications aligned with FPI’s financial planning competency frameworks for its three professional designations, candidates attain the necessary knowledge outcomes integral to the comprehensive competency framework.

FPI works closely with a network of FPI Recognised Education Providers to ensure that financial planning qualifications in South Africa meet both international standards and local professional body requirements. These providers undergo a rigorous approval and quality assurance process to ensure alignment with FPI’s education standards and expected learning outcomes.

For a full list of FPI recognised Education Providers and approved qualifications, click here.

Education Requirements by Designation

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®)

  • Hold an approved NQF Level 8 qualification from an FPI recognised Education Provider; or
  • Hold a relevant qualification under recognition of prior learning (RPL) criteria together with a minimum of five years’ relevant financial planning experience.
  • View detailed RPL criteria here.

FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISOR® (FSA®)

  • Hold an approved NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification from an FPI Recognised Education Provider (no examination required); or
  • Hold a relevant NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification (FPI examination required).

REGISTERED FINANCIAL PRACTITIONER® (RFP®)

  • Hold an approved NQF Level 5 qualification from an FPI Recognised Education Provider (no examination required); or
  • Hold a relevant NQF Level 5 qualification (FPI examination required).

Build Your Future in Financial Planning

Choosing the FPI learning pathway means committing to a profession that places the client at the centre, underpinned by competence, ethics and professionalism.

This is more than a qualification journey, it is your opportunity to build a meaningful career, contribute to better financial outcomes for South Africans and uphold the professional standard in financial planning. #Building Better Futures