Financial Counselor Certification Program

People who complete the Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultant financial counselor certification training get the proficiency, credibility, and confidence they need to be distinguished financial counselors. The NFEC’s certification program graduates demonstrate that they are strongly qualified to help others improve their personal finances and that they are reliable financial counselors.

All individuals have unique financial habits, relationships with money, and current financial situations. As a result, financial counseling requires expert-level knowledge and ability. This program to certify an individual as the best Financial Counselor was developed to give you the skills and counseling experience you need to achieve the best results among clients who enlist your services.

 

Financial Counseling Certificate Competency Requirements

To graduate from the financial counselor certification program, one must demonstrate specific abilities and establish systems that support clients to improve their financial capabilities. Those who receive certification are qualified to conduct a variety of services that help move individual clients and communities alike toward greater financial health.

This rigorous financial counseling certificate training meets top educational standards, and is listed by FINRA as a professional; yet also is practical in nature, giving attendees ample opportunities and activities to practice their financial counseling skills. Graduation from the coursework is contingent on completing ~180 hours of training and practicum (18 Continuing Education Units/CEUs) and successfully passing a proctored exam. Trainees may test out of some portions of training.

NFEC Financial Coach graduates demonstrate advanced levels of financial counseling competency, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Competencies Proficiency Scale. The NFEC offers ongoing support post-graduation, to help NFEC Financial Coaches hone their expertise and position themselves as recognized leaders in the financial counseling sphere.

Extensions for financial counselor certification Resources

Content of the NFEC Financial Coach Training

The coursework developed for this accredited financial counselor certification program was created to impart the unique skills and systems financial counselors need to achieve optimal results. Thus the content includes not only personal finance topics, but also aspects of psychology and counseling. Virtual active learning projects help you polish your counseling skills during program completion.

NFEC Financial Coach Topic Areas

  • Counseling Process: Understanding, Reporting, Diagnosis
  • Counseling Process: Guidance & Education
  • Counseling Process: Maintenance & Support
  • Psychological & Behavioral Finance Aspects of Counseling
  • Financial Counseling Strategies
  • Content Knowledge – Personal Finance Topics
  • Instructional Methodologies to Maximize Client Understanding
  • Counseling Standards and Guidelines of Professional Practice

Breakdown of financial counselor certification Conclusions

Hone Skills through Experiential Learning

Being an effective Certified Financial Counselor takes practice, a fact that this programming puts into action. If you were having an operation, you would not want a doctor who learned how to do the surgery by watching a few videos. You would want one with a proven track record performing the same procedure in the past. Financial counseling clients are no different. They want counselors they can trust, who have shown their effectiveness through practice.

The NFEC Financial Coach training incorporates practical application of the skills you’re learning. Practice gives you confidence and builds client case studies that demonstrate your trustworthiness.

You will be guided through four phases of experiential learning in the NFEC Financial Coach course:

Practicum

you observe financial counselors in action and learn how they perform.

Project-based learning

you practice the counseling skills you’re learning on your own finances;

Case Method

you read case studies and determine how a financial counselor would handle the characters’ situations; and

Implementation

you work with other students in the training to practice the counseling process.

Accredited Financial Counselor Certification Standards

Currently no specific regulations are in place to govern financial counselors, which is why the NFEC took on the responsibility to develop the first standards for financial counselor certification requirements. At the heart of these benchmarks lies the tenet that a financial counselor maintains fiduciary obligation to the client. The standards also lay out the teaching guidelines and conceptual framework that financial counselors should follow, and suggests common language counselors must adopt to assure consistent communications.

The NFEC drew from the publications and regulatory guidelines of more than a dozen top agencies who influence the financial education industry to create their Financial Counseling Standards and Code of Ethics. Some of these agencies include FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), the SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission), the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and the APA (American Psychological Association).

Structure financial counselor certification Applications

Counseling Process Resources Included in the Training

Those who enroll in the financial counselor certification program not only gain the skills and confidence to counsel effectively, but also receive resources to manage clients and put systems in place that help make their future counseling efforts successful. Hands-on procedural financial counselor training guides you through the counseling process and provides you with practical experience using the recommended methodologies and materials.

The training program includes activities that encourage you to apply the learning to real-world counseling situations, using the exact materials you will use once you graduate and begin your counseling practice. The NFEC Financial Coach course has all these resources built in, including:

More than 100 videos

Live webinars held weekly (optional)

Essential accredited financial counselor certification Best Practices

Course guides and activity workbooks

Certification award

Aptitudes for accredited financial counselor certification Styles

Client Support Resources also Incorporated

The NFEC is committed to ensuring that its NFEC Financial Coach graduates succeed in their business endeavors. That’s why the training package includes all the resources you need to become a credit counselor and more and serve clients with aplomb. These incorporated resources include:

Client financial education materials – the full NFEC curriculum package

Structure financial counselor certification Extras

Counseling software and client reporting system

Influential financial counseling certificate Choices

Counseling processes and communications

Counseling practice resources and forms

Composition of financial counseling certificate Best Practices

Business planning, training, and materials

Marketing, promotions, and client leads

Significant financial counseling certificate Use Cases

Package Options & Pricing

By now you understand that we provide you with a complete turnkey solution to your financial coaching needs. You will have access to the systems, resources, and expertise you need to build a respected coaching program and better help people who need your services. Choose from these options:

Training &
Certification Only

$1,295
  • Who is this Package Best Suited for – Click Here
  • Complete Training Course & Materials
  • Optional Weekly Live Training Calls
  • Meeting with Program Counselor
  • Testing & Background Check (Additional $127 due before final exam)
  • Bonus: CFEI Training for Those Wanting to Teach Groups or Lead Workshops ($297 Value)
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Select This Package
  • Annual Renewal $295

    • Training & Certification with Client Service Package

    $1,995
    • Who is this Package Best Suited for – Click Here
    • Complete Training Course & Materials
    • Optional Weekly Live Training Calls
    • Meeting with Program Counselor
    • Testing & Background Check (Additional $127 due before final exam)
    • Client Software & Reporting
    • Client Communication Resources
    • Client Education Resources
    • Financial Education Package
    • Bonus: Turnkey Financial Education Package for those Seeking to Teach Groups ($795 Value)
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    Select This Package
  • Annual Renewal $590

    • Training & Certification, Client Service Package & Business Package

    $2,495
    • Who is this Package Best Suited for – Click Here
    • Complete Training Course & Materials
    • Optional Weekly Live Training Calls
    • Meeting with Program Counselor
    • Testing & Background Check (Additional $127 due before final exam)
    • Client Software & Reporting
    • Client Communication Resources
    • Client Education Resources
    • Financial Education Package
    • Business, Revenue, & Funding Resources
    • Marketing & Promotional Resources
    • Bonus: Turnkey Financial Education Package for those Seeking to Teach Groups ($1,295 Value)
    • Graduate Bonus: Customized Website
    Select This Package
  • Annual Renewal $695

    • Or Customize Your Coaching Training Package

    FAQ Section

    We have 3 pricing options. You can view all options at the bottom of the page – click here.

    The training is virtual. All you need is an Internet connection and phone. You can choose from among these 3 course schedule options:

    • Option 1: Self-directed. Take the training at your own pace as lessons are released. You will have access to recorded instructor-led webinar trainings too.
    • Option 2: Instructor-led. Join our 14-week live webinar training. Requires an investment of 10 to 15 hours per week to keep pace. You will have access to the full self-directed training as well.
    • Option 3: Hybrid. A combination of self-directed and instructor-led.

    The total training time is 180 hours and the fastest you can complete the training is in 14 weeks. Some people may be able to test out of certain areas of the course to reduce total training time.

    Yes. Our goal is to produce highly-capable coaches. If you know some of the material already, you can test out of that portion.

    There are no education requirements or prior experience requirements. However, we do require all coaches to pass a criminal background check.

    Yes. We provide you with an award letter recognizing the 180-hour total training time. Check with the organization to which you want to apply CEUs to get prior approval.

    Get the latest schedule – click here.

    Although the course is self-paced, everyone gets meetings with a personal counselor and assignments are graded. To ensure that all enrollees have timely access to their counselors, we limit enrollment.