The AFFILIATED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and AFP certification as a domestic credential distinguishes competent financial planners who constantly improve knowledge and skills through continuing education.
AFP certification is also the first step towards eligibility to acquire CFP® certification, a globally recognized credential.
AFP certification is a proprietary credential of JAFP within Japan. The certification
is granted to financial planners who are capable of providing advisory
services based on client needs, and who have acquired the technical skills
to prepare a comprehensive financial plan. The continuing education requirement
also applies to AFP certificants in order to update and improve their knowledge
and technical skills. While the benefits for clients are obvious, at the
same time the certification itself gains in credibility and reputation, which
is another special feature of the AFP certification. AFP certificants are
eligible to sit for the CFP® certification examination, which is a globally recognized credential.
- AFP certificants have fundamental interview skills needed to assist clients
in creating a financial plan, and have the knowledge to implement the plan.
- AFP certificants have basic yet broad knowledge regarding life plans, finance,
securities, insurance, pension, loans, real estate, taxation, etc.
- AFP certificants must be knowledgeable about basic economics, law, and
taxation.
- AFP certificants must place their client interest first.
- AFP certificants must have adequate education and knowledge as befits professionals
to serve the society.
AFP certificants must agree with the JAFP objectives and fulfill the requirements
established by JAFP for the certification of the credential. After completing
a AFP certification program and passing the AFP certification examination, an applicant is required to sign the Code of Ethics declaration, file
other application documents along with the fees (Initiation Fee: 10,000
yen & Annual Membership Fee: 12,000 yen) prior to receiving the AFP
certification. In addition, an applicant must register personal information
(birth date, residential address, employer, other licenses/designations,
etc.), and a copy of his/her identification document (i.e. residence card).
Education
The AFP certification program is offered by registered educational institutions based
on the JAFP core curriculum (referred to as "Study Guide") either
in-class or by distance learning.
A candidate is required to earn a minimum of 68 credit hours and write
a financial planning recommendation which must be of a minimum quality
level. Completing this program is a requirement to sit for the AFP certification examination.
Required subjects：8 subjects and 68 credits or more
(1)General Principles of Financial Planning
(2)Financial Asset Planning
(3)Real Estate Investment Planning
(4)Life Planning and Retirement Planning
(5)Risk and Insurance
(6)Tax Planning
(7)Estate and Business Succession Planning
(8)Plan Recommendation Writing
- There is no age limit to attend the AFP certification program or sitting
for the AFP certification examination, however, an applicant must show
the completion of compulsory education, or equivalent academic achievement.
- The AFP certification program course period is a minimum of one month of
in-classroom instruction and a minimum of three months of distance learning
instruction. The course must be completed within one year. The duration
and credit hours differ at each registered educational institution.
- A student must register their personal data (i.e., name, gender, birth
date, etc.) with JAFP through an educational institution.
Continuing Education
The other education requirement is continuing education. AFP certificants
must complete 15 credit hours every two years, which meets the required
topics based on the "Study Guide". Continuing education is offered
through "My Page" which is JAFP's members-only web site, Journal of Financial Planning,
and by registered educational institutions.
Examination
JAFP holds the examination for 1st and 2nd degree Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning. The 2nd degree exam is the same as the AFP certification examination, however
the passing of this exam meets only one of the requirements of AFP certification.
AFP certification examinations are held three times a year, and the results
are announced approximately one month after the examinations.
The AFP certification examination consists of a two-hour knowledge-based
exam which costs 4,200 yen, and a 90-minute practice skill-based exam which
costs 4,500 yen.
Ethics
Should there be a violation of JAFP Ethical Principles, disciplinary action is taken based on "JAFP Disciplinary Rules"
conducted by the Ethics Committee.
JAFP certifies two credentials in Japan; AFP Certification: a domestic credential,
and CFP® Certification: a globally recognized credential.
The AFP certificants are authorized to use the following trademarks. These
marks are registered trademarks of the JAFP.
AFFILIATED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
AFFILIATED FINANCIAL PLANNER(spelled in Japanese Katakana characters)®
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