The Accredited Financial Counselor® Exam
All candidates, regardless of pathway, must pass the AFC exam to become certified. The exam assesses your ability to interpret and solve real-world problems as a financial counselor. It is offered on a rolling basis, so you can test whenever you feel ready.
What to Expect on Exam Day
The AFC exam is designed to assess practical, real-world financial counseling competency. Before exam day, familiarize yourself with the format, content areas, and what happens after you submit. The tips below can position you to be set up for success:
Review Exam Guide
The AFC Exam Guide walks you through what to expect at the testing center, how to develop a study strategy, and day-of logistics.
AFC Core Competencies
Exam design is based on a financial counselor and educator regular job analysis. Review the core competencies to see what will be covered.
Your Results
Domestic candidates get pass/fail results immediately onsite. Content area scores are given to aide re-exam study or future continuing education.
Ways to Prepare for the Exam and Build Confidence
AFCPE offers several resources to help you prepare from practice exams to live prep courses and a peer support community.
AFC Practice Exam
The AFC Practice Exam is a 2-exam bundle to build confidence, improve readiness, and help alleviate test anxiety.
AFCPE AFC Prep Course
These live, facilitator-led sessions offer real time opportunities to ask questions and get personalized, supportive guidance.
If you have questions about course content, look to the Candidate Community for peer-to-peer support. This opportunity is open to all candidates. The Candidate Community is moderated by AFC certified Education Department staff members and the AFCPE Exam Code of Conduct prohibits the sharing of exam content. If you’re seeking more support through the program, consider the Instructor Led training options.
How to Register to Sit for the Exam
The AFC exam is administered by PSI at in-person testing centers. Follow these steps to get scheduled for the exam:
Step 1 – Pay the Exam Fee
Log in to your myAFCPE Dashboard to pay the exam fee. This makes you eligible to schedule your exam with PSI.
Step 2 – Schedule Your Exam
Detailed scheduling instructions are provided in your myAFCPE dashboard after payment. Find a PSI testing center near you at the PSI website.
Step 3 -Arrive on Time
Arrive at your testing center on exam day. Domestic candidates receive results immediately on-site after completing the exam.
If you are in need of exam accommodations, have questions about the exam code of conduct, or would like information about international testing, please review the section below:
AFCPE and PSI comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state and local laws regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities and therefore are committed to providing reasonable and effective accommodations for candidates with known disabilities who can demonstrate a need for testing accommodations. Supporting documentation from a qualified professional is required for each requested accommodation and must be made in writing by completing the Request for Special Examination Accommodations form located here and posted to the Candidate Resources section in the myAFCPE Dashboard. We recommend submitting the request at least 45 days before your desired examination date. For more information, see the Accommodations Policy.
At this time, AFCPE and PSI do not allow for remote proctoring under any circumstances.
All candidates must abide by the AFCPE Certification Exam Code of Conduct. Exam misconduct can occur before, during, or after administration of the exam. Candidates are not permitted to discuss the specifics of the exam or solicit specific exam details from others.
Additional fees apply for testing internationally. See our main pricing page for details.
The AFC Certification is accredited in the United States and is intended for professionals who primarily serve US residents. The AFC Certification may not be beneficial for professionals not serving this population.
The AFC exam may be administered at an international testing center for certain candidates. If you are an active-duty US servicemember stationed overseas, or a direct family member of the aforementioned, AFCPE offers the administration of its certification exam at an international testing center coordinated through PSI.
If you anticipate the need to test internationally, you can use this search tool to identify PSI test locations near you. Once your AFC exam fee is paid, you may schedule your exam with PSI. Instructions will be sent to you via email and will be available in your myAFCPE Dashboard.
If you have any questions regarding international testing, please contact exams@afcpe.org.
Take the Next Step in Your AFC Journey
Register for the AFC exam through your myAFCPE Dashboard or take the time to build your confidence with a prep resource first. The AFC exam is offered on a rolling basis so you can test when you’re ready.
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