Series 65 vs CFP: Which One Is Better for Advisors?
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🧾 Series 65 vs. CFP – Which Is Better for Advisors?
📘 Choosing the Right Credential for Your Financial Advisory Career
If you’re pursuing a career as a financial advisor, you’ve likely considered the Series 65 and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Both allow you to provide investment advice, but they serve different purposes, require different levels of commitment, and lead to distinct career paths.
Here’s a clear comparison to help you decide which credential is better for your goals.
🎯 1. What Is the Series 65?
The Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) is a license that allows individuals to legally provide investment advice for a fee as a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) or Investment Adviser Representative (IAR).
✅ Key Features:
- Administered by: NASAA, regulated by FINRA
- Focus: Securities laws, portfolio management, ethics, and suitability
- Purpose: Satisfies the legal requirement to give advice for compensation in most U.S. states
- Exam: 130 questions, 180 minutes, 72% to pass
- No sponsor required
🎯 Best For:
- Advisors at independent RIA firms
- Financial professionals who want to focus on investment advising without selling securities
- Individuals who want to quickly get licensed to begin working with clients
🎯 2. What Is the CFP?
The Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP) designation is a professional certification that proves you can offer comprehensive financial planning—including investing, retirement, tax, insurance, and estate planning.
✅ Key Features:
- Administered by: CFP Board
- Focus: Holistic financial planning, ethics, and client relationship building
- Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- CFP Board-approved coursework (~12–18 months)
- Pass the 170-question exam (6 hours)
- 4,000–6,000 hours of financial planning experience
- Ongoing CE: 30 hours every 2 years
🎯 Best For:
- Advisors offering comprehensive wealth management
- Professionals building long-term client relationships
- Those who want to work at RIAs, wirehouses, or private wealth firms in high-trust roles
📊 Comparison Table
| Feature | Series 65 | CFP Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legal license to provide investment advice | Credential for comprehensive financial planning |
| Cost | ~$175 exam fee | ~$2,000–$7,000 including course + exam |
| Time Commitment | A few weeks to a few months | 12–24 months total with coursework + experience |
| Credential Type | State license | National professional certification |
| Regulatory Standing | Required for RIAs/IARs | Not legally required, but widely respected |
| Exam Length | 130 questions, 3 hours | 170 questions, 6 hours |
| CE Requirement | No | Yes – 30 hours every 2 years |
| Career Fit | Investment-only advisors | Full-service financial planners |
| Sponsorship Required? | No | No |
| Ethical Code | Basic fiduciary duty | CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards |
✅ Which Should You Choose?
Choose Series 65 if:
- You want to legally advise clients about investments and get started quickly.
- You’re working for or starting an independent RIA or robo-advisory platform.
- You’re not focused on estate, insurance, or tax planning in depth.
Choose CFP if:
- You want to offer comprehensive financial planning (not just investment advice).
- You plan to work in private wealth, high-net-worth, or fee-only planning firms.
- You’re focused on long-term career credibility, client trust, and differentiation.
🏁 The Ideal Combination
Many successful advisors eventually earn both:
- Start with Series 65 to begin practicing legally.
- Then pursue the CFP for credibility, career advancement, and holistic client service.
🎓 Still deciding?
Get exam strategies, career guidance, and study tools at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Your path depends on where you want to go—Series 65 gets you started, CFP takes you further.