The original FILPA (Fellow of the Institute of Life and Pension Advisers) designation was replaced in 1998 with the introduction of the internationally recognised CFP® mark or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Mark.
CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and 
® are trademarks
owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. The
Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa is the marks licensing
authority for the CFP Marks in South Africa through agreement with FPSB. Please visit the www.fpsb.org to learn more about the FPSB and the affiliate countries.
In 2001 two more designations were locally established to accommodate a wider spectrum of financial planners. These are the AFP™ designation (ASSOCIATE FINANCIAL PLANNER™) and RFP™ designation (REGISTERED FINANCIAL PLANNER™).
In order to be accepted as a professional member of the Institute candidates must meet with the “Four E’s” of the profession of financial planning: Education, Examination, Ethics & Experience.
Examination : Candidates must successfully complete the FPI Board Assessment.
Ethics : Candidates must agree to abide by the Institute’s Code of Ethics and be declared fit and proper by the FPI.
Experience : Candidates must have completed an appropriate period of relevant practical experience in financial planning, currently:
CFP® professional - 3 years
AFP™ professional - 2 years
RFP™ professional - 1 year
In summary, the following educational, examination and experience requirements apply:
CFP® professional: Supported by the post-graduate diploma/degree in Financial Planning registered at NQF level 7, completion of the FPI Board Examination (Case Study) and with a minimum of three years relevant practical experience in providing financial advice or doing financial planning.
AFP™ professional: Supported by the equivalent academic level of a bachelor's degree or diploma at NQF level 6; an FPI Board Examination and at least two years relevant practical experience.
RFP™ professional: Supported by a post-school academic NQF level 5 qualification in financial planning; an FPI Board Examination and at least one year of relevant practical experience.
Note: National Qualifications Framework (NQF) refers to the framework approved by the Minister against which all national standards and qualifications are registered.