FSCP
Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP®)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Financial Services Certified Professional® (FSCP®) is a foundational designation from The American College of Financial Services, aimed at people entering or changing careers into financial services - bankers, insurance agents, investment and asset managers, and aspiring planners. Its stated focus is functional practice-management tools plus foundational planning knowledge: financial products, prospecting and marketing, uncovering client needs, and business planning for a growing practice. There are no prerequisite courses to begin, and the curriculum is 100% online and self-paced, with courses starting the first Monday of each month and a welcome unit opening two weeks before the start date. The program is five courses: three required (FP 99 Foundations of Financial Planning, FA 200 Techniques for Prospecting: Prospect or Perish, and FA 203 Essentials for Meeting Client Needs) and two electives chosen from FA 222, FA 257, HS 300, HS 323, RICP 353, or WMCP 360. Each course is $695. Since April 1, 2024 there is no single high-stakes cumulative exam; instead each course has knowledge checks, quizzes that count toward the course grade, and its own final exam taken through Pearson testing centers, in person or remotely proctored. You pass a course with a final grade of 70% or higher, agree to the Code of Ethics and Procedures, and maintain the designation through the annual Professional Recertification Program. To prepare, work course by course, treat quizzes as graded practice, and schedule each Pearson final only after the unit quizzes are consistently strong.
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About FSCP preparation
Is there one big final exam for the whole FSCP® program?
No. As of April 1, 2024, the program no longer features a single high-stakes cumulative final exam. Each of the five courses has its own knowledge checks, quizzes, and final exam, and you must pass each course's final exam with a score of 70% or higher to move on.
Where and how do I take the course exams?
Final course exams are taken through Pearson testing centers. You schedule on the Pearson website and choose either an in-person testing center or remote online proctoring through Pearson's online testing system. Because scheduling is yours, book each exam once your coursework and quizzes are complete rather than at the last minute.
What actually counts toward my course grade?
Quizzes count toward your final course grade, and you need a final course grade of 70% or higher to pass. That makes the quizzes and knowledge checks graded work, not optional review. Treat weak quiz results as a signal to revisit the unit before you sit the Pearson final.
Do I need any prerequisites or prior designations to enroll?
There are no prerequisite courses required to begin the FSCP® Program. To earn the designation you must complete five courses (three core and two electives), pass each course's final exam at 70% or higher, and agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures.
How long does the program take, and when can I start?
The College describes completing the program in as few as four months, with a flexible platform to earn the designation in under 12 months. Courses start the first Monday of each month, and a welcome unit is available two weeks before your start date. You can register up to a month before or as late as two weeks after a course starts.
What does it cost?
Single courses in the FSCP® Program are $695 each, so the five-course program is priced per course rather than as a single package. The College also advertises periodic tuition promotions on select programs. Confirm current tuition and any scholarship options with the College before enrolling.
Which electives should I choose, and in what order should I take courses?
The three required courses are FP 99, FA 200, and FA 203; pick two electives from FA 222, FA 257, HS 300, HS 323, RICP 353, or WMCP 360. Several electives are described as bridges to the CLU®, RICP®, WMCP®, or CFP® programs, so choose based on the next credential you want. Taking FP 99 first builds the product and planning foundation the other courses assume.
Can courses from other programs count toward the FSCP®?
As of February 1, 2024, the first course in the CFP® Certification Education Program and the ChFC®, WMCP®, and CLU® Programs also counts as one FSCP® program elective. Holders of The American College LUTCF® need to take FP 99 to obtain the FSCP®. Waiver rules for other designations are specific, so confirm your situation with the College.
What trips candidates up most often?
Two things. First, treating quizzes as optional: they count toward the grade, so skipped or weak quizzes can sink a course even when the final exam goes well. Second, sitting the Pearson final before the material is solid. Work sequentially, finish each unit's checks, and only then schedule the exam.
Does the designation expire, and does it earn continuing education credit?
Participation in the annual Professional Recertification Program is required to maintain the designation. If you are recertifying designations earned through The College, each course in this program can be used as 30 College CE credits toward your PRP requirement. Check state and CFP Board credit values separately through the College's program filters.