CFEI Open Enrollment Bonus Resources

For those champions called to provide quality financial education to their communities, we salute you and welcome you to register in the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) program. Gain the skills and credentials that help you bring financial education to members of your community.

When you graduate from the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) program, you don’t just earn a world-class credential – you also unlock an exclusive bonus package valued at $349. Those enrolling in the next CFEI course receive the User Experience & Measurement Resources upon graduation. These resources give you the systems and tools to run financial education programs that are polished, engaging, and results-driven.

*Limited time offer and will expire when open enrollment closes.

Bonus 1: Assessments & Reporting Template

Ten customizable assessments (hundreds of questions in total assessment bank) to capture learner sentiment, behaviors, systems, and long-term results – so you can prove impact. These assessment banks include specific measures across these areas:

  • Behaviors – Observable actions that support their journey to becoming effective stewards of their finances.
  • Systems – The routines, tools, or structures they’ve developed to support their personal finance management.
  • Stage of Change – Their readiness and willingness to apply what they’ve learned.
  • Sentiment – Their feelings, confidence, and mindset toward applying what they learned in the lessons.
  • Learning Style Survey – Measure how learners prefer to receive, process, and engage with information.
  • Interest – Their level of engagement and motivation to learn the subject matter.
  • Content Knowledge – What learners understand about teaching personal finance topics. (Available with curriculum only.)
  • Support – The networks, resources, or people they access to help them succeed.
  • Actions – Specific steps learners take as a direct result of the training.
  • Outcomes – Real-world impact and measurable results stemming from their learning experience.

Case Study Report Template:
A professional tool to document your program’s success and showcase outcomes to funders, employers, and community partners.

Bonus 2: User Experience Package

Running a high-quality financial education program takes more than great content – it requires deliberate preparation, professional delivery, and sustained follow-up that turns learning into lasting behavior change. To help you deliver a world-class experience, we’ve assembled a complete suite of resources that guide you from pre-program planning through implementation and post-program reinforcement. These tools are designed to reduce your prep time, standardize quality across facilitators and sites, and ensure that every session reflects professional standards and clear learning outcomes.

Everything is customizable to your brand and context – from registration workflows and facilitator checklists to outcome-measurement systems and ongoing education content – so you can provide learners with a professional experience.

This comprehensive package allows you to focus on what matters most: creating powerful learning experiences that help participants build knowledge, shift behaviors, and achieve lasting financial health.

  • Pre-programming
    Preparation checklists, pre-participant surveys, registration workflows, and email templates to build anticipation and set the tone.
  • Implementation
    Professional banners, event handouts, measurement tools, and facilitation checklists to ensure smooth, impactful delivery.
  • Post-programming
    Recognition templates, outcome measurement systems, and ongoing education materials to reinforce learning and strengthen long-term outcomes.

Limited Time Offer. This bonus package is available only for a limited period and may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice. Offer applies exclusively to graduates of the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) program.

Certified Financial Education Instructor® (CFEI®)

The Leading Financial Literacy Certification for Individuals Teaching Personal Finance

The Certified Financial Education Instructor® (CFEI®) is an industry-leading credential that prepares you to teach personal finance with confidence – and to prove your program’s impact.

If you’re committed to building real financial capability, the CFEI® program gives you the training, credibility, and tools to make a measurable difference. The training teaches classroom-tested instructional methods, practical assessment techniques, and behavior-focused strategies that work for live workshops, online courses, employer programs, and community initiatives.

Graduates leave with proven instructional frameworks, measurement toolkits, a verified digital badge, and the confidence to deliver positive outcomes. With more than 5,000 alumni, over 300,000 professional development hours, and the only established national standards for personal-finance instructors, CFEI® is the credential trusted by organizations that require rigor, accountability, and real-world results.

Join a growing network of CFEIs who report greater enjoyment in teaching, stronger learner outcomes, and expanded opportunities to scale their programs.

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Who the CFEI® Serves

For educators across industries, delivery modes, and experience levels – CFEI® provides practical pedagogy, adaptable materials, and a clear path to teach with measurable impact.

All Industries are Welcome

Teachers, entrepreneurs, financial service professionals, content creators, nonprofit leaders, HR and benefits teams, community organizers, and volunteers. If you support people making better financial decisions, the CFEI® helps you teach with impact.

All Education Modes are Welcome

Classroom courses, workshops, employer wellness days, community programs, blended learning, webinars, and live streams. Whether you deliver small-group training or reach thousands online, our materials and instructor support adapt to your format and audience.

All Experience Levels are Welcome

Beginner or veteran, academic or self-taught, young or experienced – anyone with a passion for teaching personal finance can succeed. We provide clear learning pathways, pedagogy training, and ready-to-use resources so you can move from interest to measurable instruction.

Topics & Requirements

The CFEI® coursework meets standards for the highest academic rigor while providing practical financial education knowledge. Graduates possess the skills and teaching techniques that help them motivate, engage, educate, and move participants of all ages to take positive financial action.

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Topics Covered

The core modules covered in the CFEI training equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to design and deliver high-quality financial education that produces measurable results.

Foundations of Financial Education Practice

Clarity of mission and role as an educator, with a focus on the urgent need for financial literacy and advocacy for learners across all life stages and communities. You’ll gain the confidence to position yourself as a leader in this movement, equipped to inspire change and expand access to financial education where it’s needed most.

Financial Psychology & Behavioral Finance

In-depth knowledge of behavioral finance principles, financial psychology, and change models that empower learners to overcome emotional, cultural, and cognitive barriers to sound money management. This knowledge helps you connect with people on a deeper level, guiding them to lasting behavior change rather than short-term fixes.

Educational Philosophies & Teaching Methodologies

Application of proven learning theories and instructional strategies to engage diverse audiences, foster retention, and build practical financial skills with confidence. By learning how to adapt your approach, you’ll become a more effective educator who can meet learners where they are and drive real impact.

Personal Finance Subject Matter

Deep content knowledge across the core pillars of financial literacy: budgeting, saving, credit, loans and debt, income, account management, and supporting financial systems. You’ll be fully prepared to answer questions and guide learners through everyday money decisions with clarity and authority.

Instructional Design & Lesson Planning

Expertise in designing high-impact programs using the structured Discovery → Define → Design process, ensuring alignment with learner needs, educational standards, and measurable outcomes. This skill ensures that your programs are professional, well-structured, and capable of demonstrating measurable success to funders and stakeholders.

Program Execution & Learner Experience

The ability to deliver live sessions with professionalism and adaptability, creating safe, supportive, and engaging environments that motivate learners to take real-world action. You’ll gain practical strategies to handle any teaching environment with confidence, whether in classrooms, workshops, or online sessions.

Professional Responsibilities & Educator Standards

A demonstrated commitment to ethical practice, professional presence, accurate recordkeeping, and continuous professional development – ensuring trust, credibility, and long-term program excellence. This foundation strengthens your reputation as a trusted professional whose work meets the highest standards in education.

CFEI Piloting Phase

The Certified Financial Education Instructor® (CFEI®) program is recognized as a leading credential for financial educators due to its ongoing commitment to quality, relevance, and continuous improvement. Following the most comprehensive update since the program’s launch in 2012, all course materials have been fully revised and updated as of December 2025.

With this significant update, the CFEI program is entering a pilot phase through April 1, 2026. Individuals who enroll during this period may choose to participate in the pilot feedback process. Participation is optional and is designed to support program evaluation, time-on-task validation, and continued quality assurance.

Participants who accurately track training time and provide structured feedback in accordance with pilot guidelines will receive a $100 stipend, issued via PayPal upon successful completion of the required steps.

We invite you to join our pilot program accreditation process for our fully upgraded and expanded CFEI training so we can accurately determine total training hours and make data-driven decisions based on your feedback.

A pilot program involves selected individuals completing a new course to help determine the appropriate number of CEUs (Continuing Education Units). Because completion time can vary from one learner to another, establishing an average duration allows the total training hours – and therefore CEUs – to be calculated.

By completing this pilot, you will gain greater insight into the pilot program process and help us refine and validate the training.

Your Role – Track Time and Provide Feedback

All we ask of you is to track your time and complete the feedback at the end of the course.

Accurately tracking your learning time is essential for this study. Since the course is self-paced, you may start and stop as needed – but please record only the time spent actively engaging with educational content (e.g., reading, watching videos, completing activities, or taking quizzes). You will use the provided Excel time tracker to input how long you spent on each chapter. Please include both minutes and seconds spent on each area; using a stopwatch is recommended, as accuracy is important.

The CFEI® program is designed to be flexible, accessible, and supportive.

Graduation Requirements

The course makes it possible for anyone with a passion for financial education to succeed. From self-paced modules to professional recognition, every step is built to help you grow with confidence.

  • Prerequisites & Technical Requirements
    No prior experience is required. Learners must be at least 13 years old and have access to a computer, internet connection, and audio capability. The course provides the instruction and support needed for successful completion.

  • No Prior Experience Needed
    All you need is a passion for teaching personal finance. The course provides the knowledge, tools, and support to help you succeed.

  • Self-Paced Learning
    This self-paced pilot program is designed to document actual learner time-on-task. While initial internal estimates indicate approximately 80 instructional hours, total completion time may vary. Those participating in the pilot program will inform the final decisions on instructional hours.

  • Online Delivery
    Learn through videos, activities, workbooks, and lessons – all online. Optional live Friday sessions provide extra support and connection.

  • Final Exam & Knowledge Checks
    Successful completion of the program requires a score of 80% or higher on the final examination and 80% or higher on all chapter knowledge checks. Retake opportunities and instructional support are provided.

  • Accessibility & Accommodations
    Reasonable accommodations are available for learners with documented accessibility needs. Learners are encouraged to request accommodations in advance to support successful participation.

  • Certification & Recognition
    Earn the official CFEI® certification logo and CEU letter upon completion. Every three years, there are additional testing or performance requirements; maintain your credential with a short exam or by verifying your teaching practice.

  • Renewal
    Every three years, maintain your credential with a short exam or by verifying your teaching practice.

Graduate Survey Data

The NFEC conducts surveys throughout the course to gauge the impact of the training and track participant progress. These data reflect responses from 1,655 graduates who reported their experiences, outcomes, and the ways the CFEI® program has influenced their ability to deliver effective financial education.

94%

Increase of Confidence

Do you feel more confident and qualified to empower others with financial wellness programming?

96%

Recommend

Would you recommend that other financial educators complete this class before teaching financial literacy?

Public Feedback

For the most updated ranking click here.

Standards for Financial Educators

The NFEC developed the Framework for Teaching Personal Finance, the first – and only – national industry standards for financial education instructors. The Framework establishes clear benchmarks to help educators teach more effectively and equip learners with practical financial skills.

Developed in collaboration with the Danielson Group and aligned with InTASC, the Framework adapts Charlotte Danielson’s educational model for financial literacy. Grounded in constructivist learning, the standards define 22 evidence-based components that specify the knowledge, competencies, and performance expectations educators must demonstrate; and provide a roadmap of instructional practices tied to measurable participant gains and ongoing professional development. Danielson’s Framework for Teaching is backed by evidence-based research and widely accepted by educators, administrators, policymakers, and academics. The framework defines the skill sets distinguished educators should possess and performance levels that define educator capabilities. The Framework for Teaching has been adopted as a model approved in more than 20 states, making it the most widely-used teaching model in the US.

Graduates Represent the Gold Standard in Financial Education

The NFEC’s public awareness campaigns spotlight our graduates and underscore why qualified financial educators matter. In a world where financial well-being requires more than facts or a good presentation, we promote instructors who can teach accurately, engage learners, and produce lasting results.

By elevating the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) credential, the campaign highlights the risks of unqualified instruction and the benefits of trained professionals. Its goal is simple: raise expectations for financial education and make CFEI® the trusted mark of competence and measurable impact.

What’s Provided in The CFEI® Coursework

Training & Resources

Receive the training and resources you need to earn your Certified Financial Education Instructor® credential. The program combines practical lessons, hands-on activities, and tools designed to build your teaching skills and demonstrate measurable impact.

  • eLearning Education Center
    Over 100 videos, interactive modules, and real-world activities.
  • Course Manual & Framework for Teaching
    Digital instructor guide plus standards and guidelines.
  • Personal Consultation Call
    A 30-minute one-on-one planning session with the program director.
  • Continuing Education
    Optional live training (weekly Friday sessions) and ongoing learning opportunities.
Practical real-world tools

Testing & Graduation

The certification exam is delivered online; a passing score of 80% is required. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam. Once you pass the final exam and all chapter tests, you have officially graduated and receive the following:

  • Certified Financial Education Instructor® & CFEI® Credentials
    Use of titles, digital logos, and credentials for use on websites and professional profiles.

  • Testing & Course Assessement
    Take the timed exam on your computer with no added cost for testing.

  • Continuing Education Letter & Topic Badging
    Earn topic badges with every chapter and a CEU letter documenting the program hours after the pilot program is complete.

  • Certificate of Completion Upon Graduation
    Mailed to U.S. residents; delivered electronically for international graduates.

Earn Your Certification

Awareness, Advocacy, & Funding

To highlight your accomplishments, help you raise awareness, and garner funding for your program, the NFEC provides an awareness package that builds your reputation as a qualified financial educator. Get exposure to our website visitors and highlight your role as a financial education advocate with these complimentary resources:

  • Custom Webpage for Graduates
    Features Your Personal Photo & Bio, Your Organization, and/ or Your Event

  • Demonstrate Expertise & Leadership
    Publishing, Case Study Building, & Advocacy Opportunities

  • Eligible to Participate in NFEC Promotional Campaigns
    Financial Educators Day, Cash for Candy, and 6 Other Advocacy Campaigns

  • Graduate & Organizational Spotlights
    Select Graduate Webpages, Organization Spotlights, & Events are Featured via NFEC Social Media Accounts

Build Your Reputation

Limited Bonus for CFEI Graduates

As a bonus, CFEI® graduates receive a Program Toolkit ($349 value) complimentary ($0). This package saves time, raises professionalism, and makes it simple to demonstrate measurable impact – helping you fund and scale your program by providing results.

  • Pre-programming: checklists, pre-participation surveys, marketing/registration templates, and full email sequences.
  • Implementation: organizer guide, facilitator scripts, slide decks, handouts, and event checklists (including décor assets).
  • Post-programming: recognition certificates/badges, follow-up assessments, and continuing education materials.
  • Measurement & reporting: assessment bank, KPI templates, and a post-event impact report.
  • Case study template: a polished, ready-to-use report for showcasing outcomes, stories, and metrics to partners and funders.
$349

$349 value, provided complimentary to you

Enroll in The CFEI® Course

By now you understand that the CFEI financial literacy certification program provides the skill sets you need to teach financial literacy effectively. Completing the program gives you added credibility and confidence when teaching. Simply register below or contact us using your preferred method.

The CFEI® was deliberately developed to meet those needs. Now in its eighth iteration, the course reflects input from more than 100 subject-matter contributors – educators, finance professionals, behavioral scientists, and specialists in niche personal finance topics – and is aligned to research-based instructional standards to ensure that you are a qualified financial education instructor.

Right now, you are invited to join the financial literacy movement. Become an active participant working to maximize the impact you make when teaching personal finance. Click “Enroll Now” to register.

Option 1: CFEI® Professional Development Course

$396
  • $129 annually starting year 2
  • Training & Resources: eLearning Education Center, Course Manual & Framework for Teaching, Personal Consultation Call, Continuing Education (live trainings)
  • Testing & Graduation: Certification Exam, CFEI® Credential & Digital Badge, Course Assessment, Continuing Education Letter & Topic Badging, Graduation Certificate
  • Awareness, Advocacy, & Funding: Custom Graduate Webpage, Publishing & Case Study Support, Eligibility for NFEC Campaigns, Graduate & Organizational Spotlights
  • Limited Bonus: Graduate Program Toolkit: Resources for each student touchpoint – before, during, and after programming; course assessments for learners; case study reporting template.
Enroll Now

Option 2: CFEI Course & Pilot Participation

$396
  • $129 annually starting year 2
  • Training & Resources: eLearning Education Center, Course Manual & Framework for Teaching, Personal Consultation Call, Continuing Education (live trainings)
  • Testing & Graduation: Certification Exam, CFEI® Credential & Digital Badge, Course Assessment, Continuing Education Letter & Topic Badging, Graduation Certificate
  • Awareness, Advocacy, & Funding: Custom Graduate Webpage, Publishing & Case Study Support, Eligibility for NFEC Campaigns, Graduate & Organizational Spotlights
  • Limited Bonus: Graduate Program Toolkit: Resources for each student touchpoint – before, during, and after programming; course assessments for learners; case study reporting template.
  • Stipend – we pay you $100 upon pilot completion. Terms apply.
Enroll Now

Must have not started or completed the CFEI course previously.
Must turn in time tracker worksheet
Must participate in several surveys giving your feedback on the course.

Full Terms and Conditions.

NFEC Mission & Social Vision

The National Financial Educators Council’s mission is rooted in providing people with the knowledge and guidance they need to foster greater financial well-being. To accomplish that mission, we mobilize a diverse global force of financial wellness champions and empower them with resources and training so they can effectively support others in their communities to work toward greater financial security.

We do so by setting rigorous standards, developing evidence-based curriculum and assessments, and partnering with schools, employers, and community organizations to scale proven programs. By measuring outcomes and continuously refining our approaches, we ensure that our work produces real, lasting improvements in people’s financial lives.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

This training program is designed to provide unbiased, research-based education. All program developers have disclosed any financial or personal relationships that could present a conflict of interest. Any potential conflicts have been reviewed and managed to ensure the integrity and objectivity of this course.

The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) is an independent education organization. We do not offer financial products or services, and we do not accept compensation from financial institutions for promoting specific tools, services, or advice within the CFEI program. Our sole focus is on delivering high-quality, evidence-based financial education and empowering learners without commercial influence.

Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, & Accessibility Statement

The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) provides equal access and opportunity to all individuals seeking to enroll in the Certified Financial Education Instructor® (CFEI®) program. Enrollment decisions are based on program eligibility criteria and are not influenced by non-merit factors. The NFEC values the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that learners bring to the financial education field.

The NFEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The CFEI program is designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with documented disabilities or accessibility needs. Learners who require accommodations or who have questions regarding technical, physical, or accessibility requirements for course participation are encouraged to contact the NFEC in advance or at any point during enrollment so appropriate support can be provided.

Guarantee, Terms & Renewal

We offer a 30-day, full-money-back guarantee. An annual maintenance fee of $129 is required beginning 365 days after purchase and covers ongoing access to training, tools, and testing needed to complete your certification and keep your enrollment active. Full recertification – including required training and testing – is required every three years to maintain CFEI® status. Read the complete terms and conditions.