The AFC Exam Requirement

All candidates, regardless of pathway, must pass the AFC exam to become certified. The AFC exam assesses your ability to interpret and solve problems as a financial counselor.

THE AFC EXAM IS OFFERED ON A ROLLING BASIS – SO YOU CAN TEST WHENEVER YOU FEEL READY.

ABOUT THE EXAM

Exam Guide

The AFC Exam Guide is one of the resources available to help you prepare for exam day. This guide will help you develop a strategy for studying and answer many of the questions you may have about what to expect at the testing center. 

→ Click to view the AFC Exam Guide

AFC Core Competencies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these competencies as they provide an outline of the exam content.

AFCPE is proud to deliver a certification program guided by research, rooted in academia, and supported by industry experts. To be sure our education pathways and exam represent the knowledge needed to serve clients, we conduct a regular job analysis survey of financial counselors and educators. From this we determine the AFC Core Competencies. 

→ Click to view the AFC Core Competencies

Results

Candidates testing domestically will receive results at the examination site immediately following their exam.

Score reports will be provided and include a “pass” or “fail” result, overall score, and general information regarding next steps.

Scores per content area are provided on score reports. These breakdowns are intended to identify specific areas of relative strength and weakness. Content area scores are provided for informational purposes only to assist candidates in preparing for a re-examination attempt (failing candidates) or in selecting topic areas for future continuing education (passing candidates).

PREP FOR THE EXAM

AFC Study Planner

The AFC Study Planner is designed to help you structure a study plan and estimate the amount of study time needed to cover the AFC core competencies based on your skill level.

Click to view the AFC Study Planner

AFC Webinar Review

Webinar Review is designed to provide a review of the AFC Core Competencies. Candidates who purchase the review will have access to all live review sessions, and a library of recorded review sessions, for the duration of their candidacy. Whether you choose to attend live or view the recorded sessions, the Webinar Review will give you confidence and clarity as you prepare for the AFC exam. 

→ Click for more information and upcoming dates

Office Hours

If you have questions about course content, the AFCPE Education Department offers office hours twice monthly. This opportunity is open to all candidates. Office hours are hosted by an AFC certified staff member who can answer your questions.

→ Click for more information and upcoming dates

TAKE THE EXAM

Candidates will pay the exam fee via their myAFCPE Dashboard to be eligible to schedule their exam. Detailed instructions for scheduling the exam will be provided in their dashboard after payment of the exam fee.

The AFC exam is administered by PSI. Visit their website to find a nearby testing center.

Exam Accommodations

AFCPE and PSI comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with a disability covered by the ADA. Verification of the disability and a statement of the specific type of assistance needed must be made in writing at least 45 calendar days before the desired examination date by completing the Request for Special Examination Accommodations form posted to the Candidate Resources page in the myAFCPE Dashboard. For more information, see the AFC Candidate Handbook.

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. 

Click to view the Exam Code of Conduct

International Exams

Candidates who will be testing internationally should contact AFCPE at exams@afcpe.org at least 45 days prior to their preferred testing date. AFCPE will coordinate the scheduling of the exam with our testing vendor. For more information, see the AFC Candidate Handbook.

AFC candidates with an enrollment date of 1/1/2023 or later may test at an international location if they have a military affiliation. AFC candidates without a military affiliation may need to travel to the United States to sit for the AFC exam. AFCPE cannot guarantee international testing for candidates without a military affiliation enrolled on or after 1/1/2023.

For more information, check out the resources below or visit our AFC Exam FAQs page. 

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