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Certified Financial

Counsellor (CFC™)

Jumpstart your career and Empower Lives with Ethical Financial Literacy Counselling

Become CFC™ Certified

Make a difference by helping individuals achieve financial security.
Join a community that values ethical practice and client empowerment.

Pathway to Certification

Submit Enrollment

Candidates must complete all course components within three (3) years from date of registration.

For more detailed information, you can review the Certification Lifecycle within the Candidate Handbook.

Experience Hours

Obtain or Provide Proof of 1,000 Hours of Related Experience

Course of Study and Preparation

Study CFC™ Core Competencies and all Supplement Materials and Study Guides / textbooks as provided to as you prepare to sit the certification exam.

Take the Exam

The New CFC™ Comprehensive Examination is a single exam comprised of 150 multiple choice questions.

The exam must be proctored by a third-party proctor.

Adhere to Code of Ethics

Also, to obtain your designation you must commit to all Post-Certification Requirements including obtaining Continuing Education Units (30 in every 2-Year Cycle) and payment the Annual Fee to maintain the designation trademark (Due June 30th)

Who is the CFC™ for?

Empowering professionals to deliver ethical financial guidance

Aspiring Financial Professionals
Seeking to help individuals navigate financial challenges with confidence and expertise.
Credit Counselling Professionals
Enhancing their expertise with a recognized credential that sets the standard in financial counselling.
Independent Educators & Coaches
Adding a nationally recognized certification to strengthen their practice and credibility.
Financial Service Professionals
Bankers, advisors, Mortgage Brokers, Realtors, Insurance Professionals, and Consumer Protection professionals working in debt counselling, financial education, and consumer protection.
Ethical Care Providers
Professionals committed to providing human-first financial guidance without judgment or bias, especially when working with vulnerable individuals.
Non-Profit Social Services
Individuals working in poverty reduction, addictions, victim and family services. Where there's a vulnerable Canadian that needs support, the CFC™ is there.
The CFC™ is Canada's gold-standard certification for ethical and effective financial counselling.

What's Included in Your CFC™ Journey?

Comprehensive Study Materials

  • Digital access to comprehensive study guides covering Personal Finance, Financial Literacy, and Client-Centric Counselling
  • Hard copy supplemental materials for in-depth study
  • Access to Debt Management and Credit Repair resources

Flexible Examination Options

  • 150-question multiple-choice certification exam with flexible scheduling
  • Choice of virtual online or in-person proctoring at approved testing centers
  • Exam Form must be submitted 14-days in advance of your preferred exam date with your preferred proctor

Experience & Growth

  • Track 1,000 experience hours as outlined in the Experience Guide
  • The CAFE CONNECT Creator Plan (separate) provides tools for creating experience while you develop your own niche practice
  • Guidance on volunteer and experience opportunities available. Contact the CAFE Certification Department for more information

Community & Support

  • Join online study cohorts and access mentorship opportunities
  • Access to recorded training, live workshops, and CEU webinars
  • Multilingual community support in 29 languages on the Empowerment CAFÉ

How Long Does It Take?

The Certified Financial Counsellor (CFC™) designation is designed to be comprehensive yet flexible, giving students up to 3 years from registration to complete all requirements.

Core Requirements

1,000 Experience Hours (tracked & verified)
Prepare for and pass the CFC™ Exam
Commit to the Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice
New to Financial Counselling
2–3 years

Perfect for those starting their journey in financial counselling

Some Industry Experience
1–2 years

Ideal for professionals with related financial experience

Extensive Experience
6 months – 1 year

Accelerated path for seasoned financial professionals

The program is self-paced, allowing you to balance coursework with work, family, and other commitments.

What Happens After Certification?

Becoming an CFC™ isn't just about the designation—it's about joining a mission-driven, client-first profession that goes beyond budgets and debt management.

Client-Centric Approach

Support clients beyond the numbers, considering mental health and social factors
Focus on long-term stability and sustainable financial wellness
Develop deep, trust-based client relationships

Ethical & Community-Driven

Work within a morally aligned network of CFCs™
Connect with related financial professionals
Share best practices and industry insights

Ongoing Learning

Stay current with Continuing Education credits
Access professional development resources
Participate in specialized training programs

Your journey doesn't end at certification—it begins. Join a network of financial professionals who make real change in people's lives.

What Does It Cost?

The CFC™ certification comes with various pathways to accommodate different learning styles and circumstances. We understand that everyone's journey is unique, and we're committed to making this valuable certification accessible to all dedicated professionals.

Pathway One

Independent Study Program

  • Complete CFC™ program registration
  • Access to electronic study guides
  • Hardcopy textbook included
  • Examination fee included
  • Eligible for CAFE membership
  • Access to Empowerment CAFÉ
  • Complete 1,000 hours of experience
  • Adhere to Code of Ethics & Standards
Enrol Now
Pathway Two

Exam Challenge Through Registered Education

  • Confirmation of pre-approved experience
  • Challenge the CFC™ examination
  • Access to Examination Resource
  • Eligibility for the Empowerment CAFÉ
  • Eligible for CAFE membership
  • Professional credential validation
  • Complete 1,000 hours of experience
  • Adhere to Code of Ethics & Standards
Book A Call
Pathway Three

Flexible Payment Plan Option

  • We appreciate that everyone's journey is unique
  • Prefer a scheduled payment plan for your CFC™ journey
  • Personalized payment schedule
  • Eligible for CAFE membership
  • Complete 1,000 hours of experience
  • Adhere to Code of Ethics & Standards
  • Help your community with the CFC™ Mark
Book a Call

“At the heart of our mission at CAFE, lies the Certified Financial Counsellor (CFC™) program, a cornerstone of our commitment to excellence and empowerment.

The question we must ask ourselves is,
'Who should become an CFC™, and why?”

- Lauren Cañafranca, CFC™

Become CFC Certified
Empower yourself - Empower Others
Book a Certification call today

Using your smartphone and your Camera App, scan the QR code to book a meeting with a member of our Certification Department in Canada. A CFC Alumni will gladly help.

Otherwise, you can click the following button to be taken to the booking page directly.