MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS
Who can join FPA?
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.
How do I join FPA?
You can join FPA online at the membership page or by calling (800) 322-4237.
Does my organization join FPA, or do I join as an individual?
You may join as an individual or as a firm. Learn more about group membership for firms or contact us at groupmembership@onefpa.org.
What types of memberships are available?
FPA offers five individual membership options as well as group membership.
Is FPA membership an annual membership?
FPA membership is annual, with your join date serving as your renewal anniversary date. We offer a couple of payment options, including monthly installments or having them automatically renewed on your anniversary.
Our organization is a Group Member and one of our individual members has left our firm. Can we transfer the membership to our new staff person?
Yes, dues are not refundable, but you can transfer the membership to another staff person. The length of the membership will reflect the balance of remaining months left at the time of transferring. For assistance, please contact us at groupmembership@onefpa.org.
PAYMENT QUESTIONS
How can I pay for my membership?
You can pay for your membership by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover), check, or money order.
Does FPA offer an auto-renew option for memberships?
Yes. FPA offers a couple of payment programs. The FPA Autorenewal Payment Program ensures your dues are paid on time and helps reduce your carbon footprint by opting you out of paper invoices. FPA also offers a Monthly Payment Program. You can select your payment option at checkout. Discounts may not be applied to dues when participating in either payment program.
Does FPA have a monthly payment option?
Yes. The FPA Monthly Payment Program gives you the flexibility to avoid paying one lump sum by spreading your annual dues payments out in installments over the course of a year. Student/Aspiring Financial Planner members are not eligible for this program and discounts may not be applied to dues when participating in the program. Should you no longer wish to pay in monthly installments, the remaining portion of your balance would be owed at that time. You can select this payment program at checkout.
If I cancel my FPA membership, are dues refundable?
Membership cancellations made in writing within thirty (30) days of payment are eligible to receive a full refund less a $25 processing fee. Please note that FPA membership is individual, and therefore non-transferable.
Where do I access my FPA receipts?
Click here to view your payment history, renewal information, event registrations and more.
RENEWAL QUESTIONS
How will I know when it’s time to renew my membership?
FPA sends a series of communications via mail and email to let you know when your membership is due for renewal.
If my membership has lapsed, how can I reactivate it?
To rejoin, visit financialplanningassociation.org/my-account and click ‘Update or Renew Your Membership.’ You can also contact us at (800) 322-4237 or email us at info@onefpa.org. If your membership lapsed more than 60 days past your renewal date, your original join date will not apply as the anniversary date for your membership.
If my FPA membership lapses, do I retain my original join date?
If an FPA membership is not renewed by its renewal date, access to member benefits is immediately discontinued. FPA memberships renewed within 60 days of the expiration date will retain their original join date. If an FPA membership is not renewed within 60 days of the renewal date, a one-time exception may be requested in which a member may maintain their original FPA membership join date.
BENEFITS QUESTIONS
What member benefits does FPA provide?
FPA strives to be your partner in planning by providing you with a wealth of opportunities in practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Take a moment to learn more about all the terrific benefits of membership.
I have insurance through FPA. Do I need to maintain an active FPA membership to retain my insurance through this program?
If an FPA member enrolls in any of the insurance programs provided by FPA partner Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants, an active FPA membership must be maintained to be an insurance policy holder.
What publications are included with my membership?
FPA members receive digital editions of FPA’s award-winning, peer-reviewed Journal of Financial Planning, which offers continuing education credit and access to searchable archives. FPA members also receive a subscription to Financial Services Review, a quarterly journal from the Academy of Financial Services and FPA, and the FPA Next Generation Planner, a monthly digital publication that is included in the Journal of Financial Planning, which helps new planners work toward their most important career goals. If you have any trouble receiving your publications, please contact us at journal@onefpa.org.
How do I read the Journal of Financial Planning online?
There are several ways to engage with the Journal of Financial Planning digitally. Learn about all the options.
Who is eligible for an FPA PlannerSearch® listing?
To participate, you must be a CFP® professional and FPA member in good standing. Members are not automatically added to the platform, they must opt in.
How do I find information about my local FPA chapter?
You were automatically enrolled in your local chapter when you joined FPA. Take time to learn about all the terrific programs and services provided by your local community.
CONTINUING EDUCATION QUESTIONS
Does FPA offer CFP Board continuing education (CE) credit?
Yes, there are countless ways to attain CE credit through FPA, whether through the Learning Center, your local FPA chapter, or at national FPA events. You can also earn 1 CFP® CE credit each month by simply reading the Journal of Financial Planning.
How do I know which FPA courses qualify for CFP® CE credit?
If a course qualifies for CFP® CE credit, it will be indicated under the title and the number of credits will be represented with a credit icon in the course catalog.
How do I earn CFP® CE credit?
- Live Courses: Immediately following the conclusion of a live course, participants will have seven (7) days to complete the course evaluation in the FPA Learning Center to receive credit. Participants who do not complete their evaluation in seven calendar (7) days will not be eligible to receive continuing education (CE) credit. No extensions for CE credit will be granted.
- On-Demand Courses: Immediately following the conclusion of an on-demand course, participants will have until the course expiration date to complete the course evaluation in the FPA Learning Center to receive credit for the course. The course expiration date is contained in the program details located in the dashboard. Participants who do not complete their evaluation prior to the course expiration date will not be eligible to receive continuing education (CE) credit. No extensions for CE credit will be granted.
- Journal of Financial Planning (JFP) or Financial Services Review (FSR) Exams: Once the exam is successfully completed, you will receive your Certificate of Completion.
- To report to CE credit to CFP Board, FPA requires your CFP ID to be on your account.
When is my continuing education (CE) credit reported to CFP Board?
CE credit is not reported in real-time. When a course is completed, it may take up to one week for your CE to be reported to CFP Board. FPA reports completed CFP® CE credit to CFP Board once a week. You can use your certificate of completion to self-report credit to CFP Board.
How do I access my certificates of completion?
Certificates of completion can be accessed through your 'Dashboard' page, then click the gray 'Learning Transcript / Certificates of Completion' button.
Does FPA offer state insurance credit or other designations?
FPA does not offer state insurance credit. Local chapters may provide courses that will satisfy state requirements. FPA only seeks course approval from CFP Board. You can use your certificate of completion to self-report credit to other designations.
Who do I contact with questions about my continuing education credit?
If you have questions about continuing education credit, please contact us at learning@onefpa.org.
PROFILE QUESTIONS
Where can I find my FPA Member ID/membership number?
You can find your Member ID by logging into your account and clicking ‘Update Your Account Information.’ Your Member ID is located under your name and profile photo on the left side of the screen. If you have trouble finding your membership number, please contact us at (800) 322-4237 or info@onefpa.org.
How do I manage my communication preferences?
You can manage your communication preferences in your profile by logging into your account and clicking ‘Update Your Account Information.’ The preferences tab is the third from the right at the top of the page.
*Note: Members are automatically opted-in to receive FPA communications when joining the Association. To customize your preferences or to opt-out, please utilize the 'Update Your Account Information' option.
What if I need to reset my username and/or password to log into my account on financialplanningassociation.org?
You can reset or lookup your member username and password on the login page. If you run into difficulties, please contact us at (800) 322-4237 or info@onefpa.org.
How do I change my contact information with FPA?
You can change your contact information by visiting by logging into your account and clicking ‘Update Your Account Information.’ If you run into difficulties, please contact us at (800) 322-4237 or info@onefpa.org.
REFERRAL QUESTIONS
My colleague would love FPA. Do you have a way that I can refer him?
Yes. FPA’s Member Referral Program enables members to recommend a colleague for membership. With each colleague you refer, you’ll save money on dues and the referred member will receive a one-time savings as well. It’s a win-win!
How does the FPA referral program work?
You can refer a colleague by filling out this form or by entering the name of the person that referred you during checkout when you join FPA. Once you refer a colleague or are referred, you will receive an email with further instructions. The referrer will not receive a discount unless the referred colleague joins FPA. If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 322-4237 or info@onefpa.org.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Are my FPA membership dues tax-deductible?
Dues are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes but may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. However, a portion of the dues is not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense to the extent that FPA engages in lobbying. The non-deductible portion of dues related to lobbying can be found here. The Foundation for Financial Planning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible and are applied to the Foundation's annual fund.
What is FPA’s privacy policy?
As reflected in our privacy policy, FPA takes the privacy of our valued members very seriously.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 322-4237 or info@onefpa.org.
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