The Financial Planning Association has revised its experience requirements for planners seeking certified financial planner (CFP) status to be more in line with a typical career path.

From January next year, planners can gain the required three years’ experience from two years in a relevant role as a para-planner, associate adviser or technical specialist, coupled with one year of approved practitioner experience.

Ms Bloch says the change aligns the experience requirement for CFP certification more closely with a typical career progression.

“It is often the case that aspiring CFP certificants first gain knowledge and experience in the technical aspects of financial planning – for example, in a para-planning role – before moving into a direct advice role where they are supervised by a CFP professional.”