Our Professional Designations | The American College of Financial Services
Source: http://www.theamericancollege.edu/learn/professional-designations-certifications
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Our Professional Designations | The American College of Financial Services
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Advance Your Career With Professional Designations
You need a learning partner who delivers premium applied knowledge, deep engagement, flexible formats, unmatched expertise, and the time-tested leadership of an accredited institution.
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Professional Designations & Certifications
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Our Differentiator? Outcomes.
Establish Trust
Clients recognize your commitment to learning is a commitment to serving them with excellence. They pick professionals they trust.
Grow Your Business
The proof is with your peers who say a College designation helped them secure 13% higher earnings than professionals with no designations.
1
Meet Client Needs
Clients have many complexities — and 74% of College designees say their education notably improved their client conversations.
1
Expand Your Network
The College opens opportunities to engage. Nearly one in five advisors and agents are College designees.
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No Bull…or Bear
Pick Your Path, Upscale Your Advice
Research says professionals who offer comprehensive financial planning are able to better navigate market uncertainty — but not without specialized knowledge. Select your focus area and see how you can expand your opportunities now…and save!
Start Your Journey
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Professional Designations & Certifications
CFP
®
Certification Education Program
Ace your exam the first time with a program whose pass rates remain above the national average.
Enroll Now
View Details
ChFC
®
Chartered Financial Consultant
®
Go further to address diverse client needs with comprehensive knowledge in key areas of financial planning today. CFP® professionals need just one more course!
Enroll Now
View Details
TPCP
®
Tax Planning Certified Professional
®
Deliver tax-informed advice with specialized knowledge in tax planning.
Enroll Now
View Details
RICP
®
Retirement Income Certified Professional
®
Build holistic plans with extensive, intensive knowledge on Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, income products, strategies, and more.
Enroll Now
View Details
ChSNC
®
Chartered Special Needs Consultant
®
Gain specialized skills and advanced knowledge to champion special needs individuals with honesty, ethics, and compassion.
Enroll Now
View Details
CLU
®
Chartered Life Underwriter
®
Develop comprehensive risk management plans with expertise in the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of life insurance strategy and product.
Enroll Now
View Details
Browse All Programs
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Your Designation Outcomes
How Knowledge Powers Your Growth
Our designees have the proven potential to earn $1.3 million more over the course of their career than those without designations
1
— and that’s just the beginning. Read the full 2024 Designation Outcomes Study findings now!
Read the Full Study
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Padric’s Story
The WMCP
®
served as the catalyst to building out a healthy, sustainable, and growing goal-based consulting and wealth management firm.
Padric Scott, WMCP
®
, CFP
®
, ChFC
®
, CLU
®
, CCFC, AEP
®
, CAP
®
Mindy’s Story
The knowledge I gained from the ChSNC
®
program has been invaluable. It provided me with the tools to help more individuals and families and meet and grow a network of professionals in the special needs space.
Mindy Neira, ChSNC
®
, CFP
®
The difference between having a $900,000 nest egg and having maybe more than $3 million in the bank can sometimes be as simple as a few small adjustments — and that’s the knowledge the RICP
®
designation has given me.
Terry Parham, MSFP, CFP
®
, ChFC
®
, CLU
®
, RICP
®
, WMCP
®
, TPCP
®
The CLU
®
Program deepened my expertise and confidence as a life insurance professional. It's practical, rigorous, and essential for anyone serious about serving clients with excellence.
Jerry Robinson, CLU
®
The CAP
®
Program gave me a window into the experience of not only my donors, but my peers sitting on the other side of the table as nonprofit professionals. I feel better equipped to handle the next level conversations with our clients and use more creative tools to find the greatest possible good for everyone at the table.
Olivia Burgess, CAP
®
Every client wants their advisor to help mitigate their lifetime of taxes. The TPCP
®
Program broadened my knowledge to serve them, whether clients are in the accumulation, work-optional, or retirement phase.
Wendy Dudley, TPCP
®
, ChFC
®
01
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00
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Student Experience
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Learn how affordable your education can be
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Find out if you meet the requirements to enroll
FAQs
Get answers to the most common questions
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Learn more about our designation outcomes
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Expertise for Every Stage
Whether you’re just starting out, transitioning to a new career, or wanting to grow in specialized expertise, you’ve come to the right place. See how we can be your lifelong partner in learning.
Enroll Now
Learn About Us
Browse Programs
footnotes
1
FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024. Hypothetical lifetime earnings are calculated over 40 years, assuming Desi earns the designation in Year 0. Starting salary is based on median annual pay for personal financial advisors in 2023 ($99,580) per Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earnings growth is based on survey respondents' reported three-year growth in earnings, converted to compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Skip to main content
program_landing
cb14 secondary banner
Advance Your Career With Professional Designations
You need a learning partner who delivers premium applied knowledge, deep engagement, flexible formats, unmatched expertise, and the time-tested leadership of an accredited institution.
Pick Your Program
Home
/
Professional Designations & Certifications
cb19 icon list
Our Differentiator? Outcomes.
Establish Trust
Clients recognize your commitment to learning is a commitment to serving them with excellence. They pick professionals they trust.
Grow Your Business
The proof is with your peers who say a College designation helped them secure 13% higher earnings than professionals with no designations.
1
Meet Client Needs
Clients have many complexities — and 74% of College designees say their education notably improved their client conversations.
1
Expand Your Network
The College opens opportunities to engage. Nearly one in five advisors and agents are College designees.
cb12 repeater
No Bull…or Bear
Pick Your Path, Upscale Your Advice
Research says professionals who offer comprehensive financial planning are able to better navigate market uncertainty — but not without specialized knowledge. Select your focus area and see how you can expand your opportunities now…and save!
Start Your Journey
cb25 program list
Professional Designations & Certifications
CFP
®
Certification Education Program
Ace your exam the first time with a program whose pass rates remain above the national average.
Enroll Now
View Details
ChFC
®
Chartered Financial Consultant
®
Go further to address diverse client needs with comprehensive knowledge in key areas of financial planning today. CFP® professionals need just one more course!
Enroll Now
View Details
TPCP
®
Tax Planning Certified Professional
®
Deliver tax-informed advice with specialized knowledge in tax planning.
Enroll Now
View Details
RICP
®
Retirement Income Certified Professional
®
Build holistic plans with extensive, intensive knowledge on Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, income products, strategies, and more.
Enroll Now
View Details
ChSNC
®
Chartered Special Needs Consultant
®
Gain specialized skills and advanced knowledge to champion special needs individuals with honesty, ethics, and compassion.
Enroll Now
View Details
CLU
®
Chartered Life Underwriter
®
Develop comprehensive risk management plans with expertise in the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of life insurance strategy and product.
Enroll Now
View Details
Browse All Programs
cb12 repeater
Your Designation Outcomes
How Knowledge Powers Your Growth
Our designees have the proven potential to earn $1.3 million more over the course of their career than those without designations
1
— and that’s just the beginning. Read the full 2024 Designation Outcomes Study findings now!
Read the Full Study
cb33 testimonial slider - V1 & V2
Padric’s Story
The WMCP
®
served as the catalyst to building out a healthy, sustainable, and growing goal-based consulting and wealth management firm.
Padric Scott, WMCP
®
, CFP
®
, ChFC
®
, CLU
®
, CCFC, AEP
®
, CAP
®
Mindy’s Story
The knowledge I gained from the ChSNC
®
program has been invaluable. It provided me with the tools to help more individuals and families and meet and grow a network of professionals in the special needs space.
Mindy Neira, ChSNC
®
, CFP
®
The difference between having a $900,000 nest egg and having maybe more than $3 million in the bank can sometimes be as simple as a few small adjustments — and that’s the knowledge the RICP
®
designation has given me.
Terry Parham, MSFP, CFP
®
, ChFC
®
, CLU
®
, RICP
®
, WMCP
®
, TPCP
®
The CLU
®
Program deepened my expertise and confidence as a life insurance professional. It's practical, rigorous, and essential for anyone serious about serving clients with excellence.
Jerry Robinson, CLU
®
The CAP
®
Program gave me a window into the experience of not only my donors, but my peers sitting on the other side of the table as nonprofit professionals. I feel better equipped to handle the next level conversations with our clients and use more creative tools to find the greatest possible good for everyone at the table.
Olivia Burgess, CAP
®
Every client wants their advisor to help mitigate their lifetime of taxes. The TPCP
®
Program broadened my knowledge to serve them, whether clients are in the accumulation, work-optional, or retirement phase.
Wendy Dudley, TPCP
®
, ChFC
®
01
/
00
cb26 cta grid - v1
Find What You Need to Know
Student Experience
A learning experience that’s designed for you
Tuition, Aid, and Scholarships
Learn how affordable your education can be
Admissions Requirements
Find out if you meet the requirements to enroll
FAQs
Get answers to the most common questions
Legacy Programs
See programs we previously offered
Contact Us
Learn more about our designation outcomes
cb20 footer cta
Expertise for Every Stage
Whether you’re just starting out, transitioning to a new career, or wanting to grow in specialized expertise, you’ve come to the right place. See how we can be your lifelong partner in learning.
Enroll Now
Learn About Us
Browse Programs
footnotes
1
FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024. Hypothetical lifetime earnings are calculated over 40 years, assuming Desi earns the designation in Year 0. Starting salary is based on median annual pay for personal financial advisors in 2023 ($99,580) per Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earnings growth is based on survey respondents' reported three-year growth in earnings, converted to compound annual growth rate (CAGR).