Certified Financial Educator (CFEd®) (2024)

Benefits of the CFEd®

By obtaining the CFEd® designation, financial professionals can be recognized for their experience and expertise in the above mentioned areas. In addition, the CFEd® Designation:

• Provides instant credibility when dealing with their clients and prospects.
• Creates an image for the financial professional as an “educator” or “teacher” rather than a sales person.
• Distinguishes the financial professional from others in the industry.
• Builds confidence for the financial professional with a recognized designation with FINRA.

Professionals in the following financial services fields may be eligible:

How to become a CFEd®

The CFE Certified Financial Educator® is a registered designation awarded to individual practitioners who have:

• A minimum of 3-years of experience in financial services.
• Experience in teaching adult learners.
• Demonstrated to be in good standing with financial federal & state regulators.
• Willingness and effort to financially educate and enlighten others.

If these above requirements apply to you, please follow these steps to obtain the CFEd® Designation:

• Apply online for the designation.
• The Heartland Institute will review your CFEd® application for approval.
• Once approved and payment is completed, you will receive all of the necessary self-study materials and exam instructions.
• Take and successfully pass the CFEd® exam.

CFEd® Renewal/CE

Each CFEd® must annually renew their designation through a 2-step process:

1. Payment of the annualCFEd® Renewal Fee and continue to be “in good standing” with federal and state regulators.
2. 12 hours of approved Continuing Education requirement.
   • Acceptable CE courses include subject topics addressing the area of financial planning, including (but not necessarily limited to) the planning process, risk management, debt management, cash flow management, investment planning, tax planning, retirement planning, business planning, employee benefits, planned giving, estate planning and strategies, ethics, etc. State-approved continuing education for licensing renewal purposes counts toward the HIFE CE requirement.
   • Two hours of the twelve hours must include a review of instructor issues relative to teaching financial wellness to adult learners. This is done by reading the monthly articlesfrom the Heartland Institute’s website.
   • Detailed instructions for HIFE’s Continuing Education submittal process can be found below.

Instructions for completing the 12 hours of Continuing Education:

• Complete the online CE form by clicking the link below, complete the form with the required 12 hours of CE.
• Continuing Education Reporting Form, click Here

Instructions for completing the Heartland Institute’s required 2 hours of CE on Financial Wellness:

• Read the monthly articles which can be found by clicking onOur Resources.
• Take the CFEd® CEExam pertaining to the monthly articles by clicking the appropriate links below.
• HIFE Continuing Education Online Test, clickhere(please note the exam is online and you have 90 minutes to complete)

If you have any questions regarding the Heartland Institute’s Continuing Education requirements, please contactHIFEat(303) 597-0197.

The Registry of Certified Financial Educators®

Our certified instructors live and work in the local community and practice what they teach. They have been in the financial services business locally for a minimum of three years and are fully certified. Certification through the Heartland Institute requires a firm knowledge of and practical experience in financial service and adult education. Instructors in the Registry of Certified Financial Educators®are required to complete a study course, pass a comprehensive exam and complete continuing education to attain and maintain their certification. In addition, all instructors must sign a statement pledging ethical behavior, and all instructors are subject to the disciplinary oversight of the Heartland Institute.

HIFE Registry of Certified Financial Educators®

• Must sign a HIFE Registry of Certified Financial Educators® agreement
• Must pay the HIFE Registry of Certified Financial Educators® Fee
• Must be selected by the Heartland Institute.
• Membersof the Registry of Certified Financial Educators® are able to “represent” the Heartland Institute as Instructors.
• Members of the Registry of Certified Financial Educators®have access to Heartland’s unique marketing program and proprietary classes.

Registry of Certified Financial Educators® renewal

• Must pay the HIFE Registry of Certified Financial Educators® annual Renewal Fee.
• Must complete a total of 12 hours of Continuing Education, of which 2 hours must be completed through HIFE’s website (same requirements of the CFEd® Designation Renewal).

Interested inbeing a member of theHeartland Institute Registry of Certified Financial Educators®? Please use the “Contact Us” tab to the right for more information.

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Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about Heartland Institute’s CFE Certified Financial Educator® designation or Registry of Certified Financial Educators®, please contact us by calling 303-597-0197 or email[email protected]or simply complete the form below: