ChFC
ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant® Designation Program
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant® - designation is a financial planning credential offered through The American College of Financial Services. It is built for advisors who want applied, case-based planning skill rather than theory alone, and its curriculum spans financial planning process and environment, insurance and risk management, income taxation for individuals and businesses, retirement planning, investments, and estate and gift planning, plus special needs planning, gift and inheritance planning, business succession, divorce and behavioral finance. The program is eight online, self-paced courses: HS 300, HS 311, HS 321, HS 326, HS 328, HS 330, HS 333 (a comprehensive case analysis) and HS 347 (contemporary applications, the final course in the program). There is no high-stakes cumulative exam - each course carries its own quizzes, knowledge checks and a final course exam. The program can be completed in as few as eight months, and each course must be finished within 14 weeks, though it can be done in as few as four. Only a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to enroll, but at least three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession is required to be awarded and use the designation. Completing the eight courses also satisfies the education requirement to sit for the CFP® exam. Prepare by working the sequential units, case studies and knowledge checks, then drilling applied, scenario-style questions.
What you'll study
About ChFC preparation
Is there one big final exam at the end of the ChFC® program?
No. The American College states there is no high-stakes cumulative exam in the ChFC® Program. Instead, each course features its own quizzes, knowledge checks and a final course exam, so you are assessed course by course rather than in a single sitting at the end.
How long does the program take, and how much time do I get per course?
You have 14 weeks to complete each financial planning course and pass its course exam, although a course can be finished in as few as four weeks. The program overall can be completed in as few as eight months, and the College notes typical students finish in 18 months or less.
What does the ChFC® program cost?
Single courses are $985 each, except HS 333 at $1,195 and HS 347 at $1,725. The eight-course package is $5,891 through 11/6 with promo code ELEVATEFALL2026, a $655+ savings off the $6,545 regular package price. The page's comparison chart lists $6,546 for the package, so confirm pricing before enrolling.
Do I need a bachelor's degree to start?
No. There are no prerequisites to begin ChFC® courses other than a high school diploma or equivalent, and no bachelor's degree is required. However, at least three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession is required before the designation can be awarded and used.
I already hold the CFP® certification. Do I have to take all eight courses?
No. Holders of the CFP® certification can transfer existing credit by submitting the Transfer of Credit form in My Learning Hub and may then complete the ChFC® Program with only one additional course, HS 347 Contemporary Applications in Financial Planning.
What order should I take the courses in?
Follow the listed sequence: HS 300, HS 311, HS 321, HS 326, HS 328 and HS 330 build the foundation. HS 333 then synthesizes insurance, taxation, investments, retirement and estate planning in a comprehensive case study, and HS 347 is the final course needed to complete the ChFC® Program.
How is the material delivered?
Delivery is 100% online and self-paced: all-virtual lessons organized in sequential units, supported by short videos, knowledge checks, quizzes and case studies, plus live weekly instruction from faculty and an AI learning assistant called SPARK that answers questions drawn from course content.
Do these courses count toward continuing education?
Yes. If you are recertifying designations earned through The College, each course in this designation program can be used as 30 College CE credits toward your Professional Recertification (PRP) requirement. Check current state and CFP Board CE values using the program filters on the College's site.
What is a common mistake candidates make when preparing?
Treating the courses as pure reading. The program emphasizes applying knowledge to real client situations, and HS 333 and HS 347 are case-driven. Working the case studies and scenario questions actively, rather than memorizing definitions, matches how the course exams and the designation's practical focus are built.
Does completing the ChFC® program help me sit for the CFP® exam?
Yes. The College states that completing the ChFC® Program satisfies the education requirement to sit for the CFP® exam, because seven of the eight courses are also required in its CFP® Certification Education Program; HS 347 is the course unique to the ChFC® track.