Financial Certifications

For those who are passionate about empowering others with financial knowledge and seek to improve their own abilities as members of the financial education community – there are financial certifications that can help you reach those goals.

The NFEC offers three types of financial certifications: for learners, for financial educators, and for financial coaches.

Certifications for Financial Educators (those teaching groups & classes)

Certified Financial Literacy Professionalâ„  (CFLPâ„ )

The CFLP℠ designation is for professionals who demonstrate content knowledge of financial literacy topics that range from Savings, Expenses, & Budgeting – to Account Management, Loans, & Debt – to Credit Profile.

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Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®)

This training and Certification is for individuals seeking to teach personal finance. Whether they desire to lead classes, workshops, or online training, this Certification is for people who teach financial education to groups.

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Accredited Personal Finance Instructorâ„  (APFIâ„ )

Graduates of the APFI℠ training have earned both their CFLP℠ and CFEI® credentials. This designation demonstrates that graduates have successfully executed financial wellness programs and proven their ability to conduct professional-level financial education initiatives.

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Certifications for Financial Coaches (those working 1-on-1 with clients)

Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultantâ„  (CPFWCâ„ )

This leading financial coaching certification is given to those specialists who have proven their ability to work one-on-one with clients toward improving their personal finances.

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Accredited Personal Financial Wellness Consultantâ„  (APFWCâ„ )

Financial coaches with the APFWCâ„  credentials have a proven track record of successfully helping clients.

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Financial Certifications & Badging for Learners

Financial Literacy Topic Badges

Students taking courses led by NFEC’s Accredited Personal Finance instructors℠ can earn up to 22 separate topic and financial life stage badging opportunities that demonstrate their understanding of key personal finance topics.

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Personal Financial Education Certificate

Students taking courses led by NFEC’s Accredited Personal Finance instructors℠ who complete all 10 topic badges may successfully earn their Personal Financial Education Certificate.

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Financial Certifications Enrollment Information

NFEC Certified Consultants are among the most highly-qualified educators in the financial education space. They meet the highest industry standards and serve their communities by presenting initiatives that improve people’s financial capabilities.

Because the Certifications require personal support and guidance, the NFEC limits enrollment. Offered financial certification programs do not require a degree and continuing education credits are available.

Financial Certifications Overview

For those who are passionate about empowering others with financial knowledge and seek to improve their own abilities as a member of the financial education community – there are financial certifications that can help.

Personal Finance Focused Financial Certifications

NFEC graduates bring a valuable service to their community – access to a high-quality financial education. Whether delivering to groups or individuals, our graduates are focused on helping people work toward financial wellness.

Those enrolled in the certification programs participate in education, advocacy, measurements, platform-building, consultant training, client relations, and other activities that demonstrate their qualifications as distinguished financial education instructors or consultants.

Financial certificate holders are among the most highly qualified educators in the financial education space. They meet the highest industry personal finance teaching standards and serve their communities by presenting initiatives that improve people’s financial capabilities.

Financial Certifications Available

The NFEC offers three certifications. The Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®) course is the prerequisite for all advanced certifications – this coursework can be completed concurrently with either of the advanced certifications below:

Teach Personal Finance

Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®)

Serve Organizations
& Host Programs

Certified Financial Education Consultants (CFEC)

Serve Individuals
& Groups

Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultantsâ„ 

NFEC Finance Certification Programs: CFEI®, CFEC & NFEC Financial Coach Requirements

NFEC certification program graduates are among the most qualified to promote and implement financial education programming. To earn the CFEI® Certification requires 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for a total of 30 Professional Development Hours (PDH). To earn either the CFEC or NFEC Financial Coach Certification requires 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) / 240 Professional Development Hours (PDHs). To earn both Certifications (CFEC and NFEC Financial Coach) requires a total of 28 CEUs and 280 PDHs.

All CEUs and PDHs are gained through completion of the respective certification course.

CFEI® Requirements

NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructors℠ (CFEI®) are among the most highly qualified individuals teaching personal finance. The CFEI® course requires 30 hours (Professional Development Hours – PDH) of training. (3 Continuing Education Units – CEU)

Education Requirements

(3 CEUs / 30 PDHs)

CFEC Requirements

NFEC Certified Financial Education Consultants (CFEC) are among the most highly qualified individuals to promote and implement financial education programming for organizations. The CFEC course requires 240 hours (Professional Development Hours – PDH) of training and implementation. (24 Continuing Education Units – CEU)

Education Requirements

(6 CEUs / 60 PDHs)

Performance Evaluation

(10 CEUs / 100 PDHs)

Demonstrate Expertise

(8 CEUs / 80 PDHs)

NFEC Financial Coach Requirements

NFEC Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultantsâ„  are among the most highly qualified individuals to conduct personal financial coaching and to lead group programs. The NFEC Financial Coach course requires 320 hours (Professional Development Hours – PDH) of training and implementation. (32 Continuing Education Units – CEU)

Education Requirements

(8 CEUs / 80 PDHs)

Performance Evaluation

(16 CEUs / 160 PDHs)

Demonstrate Expertise

(8 CEUs / 80 PDHs)

What’s Provided in The Financial Certification Training

Financial Certifications Enrollment Information

NFEC Certified Consultants are among the most highly qualified educators in the financial education space. They meet the highest industry standards and serve their community by presenting initiatives that improve people’s financial capabilities.

Because the Certifications require personal support and guidance, the NFEC is limiting enrollment.  Offered financial certification programs do not require a degree and continuing education credits are available.

Learn More About the Finance Certificate You Are Interested In: