CFP Board primarily uses the following volunteer groups. If you decide to volunteer for one or more of these activities, please understand that some of these opportunities are served in terms, and others will add you to a database where you may be selected as opportunities arise. If you have questions or comments, please e-mail volunteer@CFPBoard.org.

• Board and Committee Opportunities
• Exam Development Opportunities

Download and print a Volunteer Application Form (PDF document) and fax or mail to CFP Board, or submit an Online Volunteer Registration Form >

Boards and Committees

The Board of Directors, formerly known as the Board of Governors, is the policy-making and oversight body of CFP Board, the independent certifying organization that owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and certification marks. CFP Board regulates financial planners through trademark law by authorizing individuals who meet its certification requirements to use the marks.

Composition and Term of Office
The Board of Directors consists of individuals with various experiences and backgrounds that represent stakeholder groups working in the public interest. Except for ex officio positions, each member of the Board serves a four-year term. A majority of Board of Directors members must be CFP® certificants.

Areas of Responsibility
Board members may be appointed to serve on committees and task forces at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Some Board members are also members of the Appeals Committee. Appeals Committee meets in person immediately preceding or following each full "in-person" Board meeting and by conference call as needed between Board meetings. A staff liaison is assigned to each committee to assist the committee with its work.

Governance Philosophy
The Board of Directors operates under its bylaws and within the Policy Governance® model. This approach to the job of governing emphasizes values, vision, empowerment of both Board members and staff, and the strategic ability to direct leadership. Observing the principles of the Policy Governance® model, the Board crafts its values into policies. For more detailed information on Policy Governance® go to www.carvergovernance.com/model.htm.

Council on Examinations
Role of the Council on Examinations
The Council on Examinations, formerly known as the Board of Examiners, is responsible for the CFP® Certification Examination. The Council on Examinations also administers CFP Board's research grants. Generally, individuals selected to serve on the Council on Examinations have previously participated in other exam-related volunteer activities.

Composition and Terms of Office
This Council is composed of seven members and has typically included both financial planning practitioners and financial planning educators. All members of the Council on Examinations must be at least 18 years of age, and the majority of the Council must be CFP® certificants. Each member of the Council on Examinations normally serves a three-year term. A four-year term is possible if elected to the role of Chair in the third year. In selecting Council members, attention is paid to ensuring that the Council, as a whole, possesses the needed expertise and diversity within the 89 topics that comprise financial planning as defined by the most recent job analysis.

Areas of Responsibility
Business conducted during the "in-person" Council on Examinations meetings include discussion of relevant business issues, review of the upcoming CFP® Certification Examination and activities required to maintain and enhance the test question bank. In addition, Council members participate in three conference calls per year following each CFP® Certification Examination and other conference calls, as needed, to conduct CFP Board business.

Council on Examinations members are also encouraged to attend at least one additional activity per year. This could be the Program Directors Conference that is attended by directors and faculty of CFP Board-Registered Programs, or it could be a test-question item writing session or a test-question field test.

Disciplinary and Ethics Commission
Role of the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission
The Disciplinary and Ethics Commission, formerly known as the Board of Professional Review, is responsible for interpreting and applying the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards to specific fact situations involving CFP® certificants and imposing, where necessary, the appropriate discipline.

Composition and Terms of Office
The Disciplinary and Ethics Commission is composed of up to nine full members. Each member must be a CFP® certificant. Members serve a four-year term, and must have a minimum of five years experience, with a preference given to those with 10 years experience.

Areas of Responsibility
Disciplinary and Ethics Commission members are expected to meet three times a year to conduct disciplinary hearings and to participate in business meetings to discuss issues relevant to CFP Board's disciplinary process. Commission members may also be required to participate in conference calls throughout the year, as scheduled. Materials related to disciplinary cases are sent two weeks prior to the hearing dates. Commission members are expected to review their respective case materials so that they are prepared to fully participate in hearings and Commission deliberations. The Disciplinary and Ethics Commission may make recommendations to the Board of Directors on issues related to professional review and the disciplinary process.

Disciplinary and Ethics Commission Volunteers
The Disciplinary and Ethics Commission is always in need of CFP® certificants who are willing to volunteer their time to assist with the disciplinary hearings by serving on hearing panels. All volunteers are required to participate in a full-day orientation session, typically conducted the day before hearings begin, prior to participating in any hearings. Serving as a volunteer is a good way for CFP® certificants who are interested in serving on the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission as a voting member, to become acquainted with the disciplinary process and to be introduced to current Commission members. Moreover, participation as a volunteer is a prerequisite to obtaining a position with the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission.

What is Expected of Those Serving on the Board and Committees

• Each person selected to serve as a member of any Board or Committee is required to complete a detailed Conflict of Interest Questionnaire and sign a Confidentiality Statement prior to service.
  
  
• Board and Committee members are responsible for reading and considering a significant amount of material distributed in a "Board book" prior to each in-person meeting.
  
  
• Members are expected to attend each meeting and be prepared to discuss all the issues on the agenda, and to make informed decisions.
  
  
• Members are expected to stay informed of the Board's business and to be involved in its processes.
  
  
• Members are expected to read and respond as appropriate to mailings, fax and e-mail communications from CFP Board's office and other Board and Committee members.
  
  
• Board and Committee members represent CFP Board within their respective professions and communities; they are expected to remain in good standing in their respective communities.

The Board of Directors and Committees meet in person at least three times a year and by conference call, as needed. Board of Directors meetings usually begin on a Thursday and conclude with dinner Friday evening, with members of the Board returning home on Saturday. Committee meetings generally include a Saturday meeting with members returning home on Sunday. CFP Board underwrites travel expenses in accordance with established policy.

Social occasions, such as dinners with other Board and Committee members, are scheduled and budgeted as an integral part of each meeting for the purpose of encouraging informal interaction and exchange of ideas among members and senior management. The benefits to CFP Board of these networking opportunities are great. For that reason, Board and Committee members should make every effort to take part in these events.

Because Board and Committee members are chosen to serve, in part, based on their unique background and perspective, it is essential that each member be an active, full participant in the processes that are central to the role of the specific Board or Committee. Because it is the purpose of CFP Board to serve the public interest, it is essential that each member commit to placing the public interest and the interests of CFP Board ahead of all other considerations which might motivate them to serve, and that each member continue to serve in that spirit.

If any of the duties and responsibilities of Board or Committee service are unclear now or during the term of service, it is the responsibility of the individual member to ask questions of the Chair of the Board or CEO of CFP Board in order to get the information required.

Exam Development

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