There are two methods to register for a course. You can register online using the online enrolment form or you can download the enrolment form and then send it in by fax or mail to the location listed below. Once your registration has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email with an order number, username and password. Please note, registration for the continuing education modules and certificate programs is only available online.

Mail: Advocis, 10 Lower Spadina Ave, Suite 600, Toronto, ON M5V 2Z2
Phone: 416-444-4449 or 1-877-773-6765
Fax: 416-444-8031

Advocis students can rest assured that the security for our site is very strong with 128-bit encryption, and that their personal information is safe.

In addition, as a result of recent rulings and decisions made by the Privacy Commission, a member or student must advise Advocis of the circumstances under which his or her information can be distributed to and shared with employers and third-party suppliers, if it is to be shared at all. For more information, please read Advocis’ Privacy Policy.

Payments can be made by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, certified cheque, or money order. When paying by credit card, you’ll need to provide both your card number and its expiry date. Applications will only be processed once the full payment is received.

Printed study guides, if applicable to your course, will be shipped to you within 5 to 10 business days (regular shipment) after your registration has been processed. An expedited delivery service (within 3 business days) is available for an additional fee. Some courses also require you to obtain textbooks that are available at an additional cost. Please see the relevant program web page for more information on required textbooks.

The goal of the Advocis appeals policy is to ensure that students are able to request a re-mark of their assignment or exam if they failed.

The re-mark of a test or assignment involves a second marker reviewing the assessment in question. The second marker is not provided with details of the student’s original mark. The same rubric used by the original marker must be used for re-marking. The re-marking of an assignment or an exam could result in a higher or a lower mark from the original grade. The second grade will be the final grade.

If you believe an error has been made in the calculation of marks or in the marking of your:

• CFP capstone assignment (modular or comprehensive),
• CLU 257 term assignment, or
• CLU 257 final exam

Please complete Advocis’s Request for Re-Evaluation application form.

• Request for Re-Mark (web)
• Request for Re-Mark (print)

Please submit your Request for Re-Mark no later than 4 weeks after you receive the final grade on the assignment or the exam. The cost to re-mark an assessment is $150 plus GST.

Allow 30 days for your request to be processed.

Please note that the re-marking of multiple choice exams is not available for the following reasons:

• there is no discretion in the way a multiple choice test is graded (scored), and
• if there is an error, for instance, an invalid question, every student will have been subjected to the error

We regularly perform audits of the multiple choice questions in each of the Advocis programs. We do this to ensure that the questions included in our assessments test at an appropriate level and that the questions we ask are fair but challenging.

You can purchase a three-month (90 day) course extension for $75 + tax (excluding CFP 245 – Capstone and CLU 257 – Advanced Estate Planning). Only one extension per course can be purchased while the course is still active.

Should you require additional time to complete the course after purchasing an extension you must purchase a course re-enrollment. Course re-enrollments are $150 + tax. This will allow you an additional 120 days from the purchase date to complete the course. With the re-enrollment option, any previously completed online quizzes or exam will have to be re-written.

Note: New material will not be sent for either the extension or re-enrollment purchase.
All courses must be fully completed within one year of the initial registration date regardless of any course extensions or course re-enrollment purchased. If you wish to re-enroll or extend a course beyond one-year from registration, you may be required to purchase an updated printed study guide and prescribed textbooks if it is applicable to that course and there have been revisions to the curriculum.

Any Advocis member in good standing is eligible to receive member pricing when signing-up for a program that offers this benefit. Advocis members that receive member pricing at the point of registration must remain a member in good standing while they are taking the program.

Any Advocis member that cancels their membership within the first 12 months of joining or re-joining Advocis will be charged the difference between member and non-member pricing for any courses taken while they were a member.

You have 30 days from the date of registration to withdraw from a course and receive a partial refund (a cancelation fee of $75 + tax applies). Please email Advocis at info@advocis.ca indicating the course that you wish to withdraw from.

If you are unsuccessful in passing your LLQP certification examination or your CFP, CLU, or CHS course (excluding CFP 245 – Capstone and CLU 257 – Advanced Estate Planning), you may apply to re-write, subject to a re-write fee of $75 + GST/HST per attempt. 

For LLQP, unlimited rewrites can be made for each module within the 12 month-validity period of this course. Each rewrite cost $75 + tax.

For CFP, CLU and CHS online courses, you can apply to re-write 2 more times (for a total of 3 attempts). You must re write all module quizzes, case study (if applicable) and final exam (we reset and re-open the tests for 90 days). 

After the 3 attempts have been utilized, a course re-enrollment will need to be purchased. The fee is $150 + tax for all LLQP, CFP, CHS or CLU courses. Any previously completed online quizzes and/or exam will have to be rewritten.

Note: Rewrites and re-enrollment fees for CFP 245 – Capstone and CLU 257 – Advanced Estate Planning course are priced higher.

Contact our Member Services Department at 1.877.773.6765 to pay for a re-write or re-enrollment.

If you experience technical difficulties when using our site, please contact Advocis Member Services from Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST. If you require assistance outside of these hours, please leave a message. Email and voicemail messages will be responded to the next business day.

• Email
• Phone: 416.444.4449 or 877.773.6765
• Fax: 416.444.8031

For content related inquiries please complete the Advocis Educontent Query Form and submit it to educontent@advocis.ca.

Members and non-members can register for any module except for Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, The National Do Not Call List – What You Need to Know, Ethics: Knowing the Code of Professional Conduct and Getting Established, which are available to Advocis members only.

A Certificate Program consists of a series of modules. Students who complete all modules within the program qualify for a certificate of completion. Certificates are awarded for Critical Illness Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Group Insurance, and Disability Income Insurance.

You may re-take a module as many times as you wish. However, you are responsible for justifying your reason for re-taking the module to your accrediting institution.

CFP^® is a designation governed and overseen by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC).
The requirements to earn the CFP^® designation are:

• Completion of education in financial planning from an approved course provider, such as Advocis;
• Successful completion of rigorous standardized examinations;
• Financial planning work experience;
• An ethical commitment to put the client's interest first.

The Advocis program, which was developed in conjunction with leading educational training consultants, derives its material from the CFP^® syllabus as outlined by the FP Canada^™.

Our program consists of four core courses and one CFP^® Capstone course. Please click here for more information.

No, there are currently no pre-requisites. Anyone can enrol in the Advocis CFP^® program.

Candidates have four years to complete the CFP^® Core Curriculum from the time they first register in the program.

Please note that your transcript may be accessed by logging into your Advocis Dashboard and clicking on 'Designation Course History'. You may email the transcript to FP Canada™ to write the Level 1® Examination in Financial Planning.

After the successful completion of the CFP Capstone Course (FP245) and with your signed consent, your transcripts are emailed directly to FP Canada™ to enable you to write the CFP® examination.

Advocis CFP^® Certification Program FAQs

We recognize that our candidates find themselves in various states of completion in our current Advocis CFP certification program. For that reason, we have developed migration pathways to ensure your successful transition to our new Core and Advanced programs.

The deadline to register for FP234 is August 31, 2017.

The deadline to complete the 4 core courses (231, 232, 233 and 234) in the current Advocis CFP Certification Program is December 31, 2017.

We have planned for this by providing migration paths for students at each stage of the program. To learn more, click Migration Paths.

Your successful completion of Course FP231 will provide you with an equivalency for Course FP241 in the new Advocis CFP^® Certification Program. You will not have to write the course exam for FP241. However, there will be course content in Course FP241 that you will not have seen in Course FP231, nor will you see this content in any of the remaining courses in the new Advocis CFP Certification Program.

For this reason, when you register for Course FP242 and during the time you are registered in this course, Advocis will provide you with access to all course materials for Course FP241. You will receive (free of charge) access to all online content for Course FP241 along with the glossary of terms and the practice questions. The learning content is downloadable as an eBook, useful for future reference. You will not, however, receive access to any scoreable questions, such as the module quizzes, the new case study questions and the course exam for Course FP241. To learn more, click Migration Paths.

Your successful completion of Courses FP231 and FP232 will provide you with equivalencies for Courses FP241 and FP242 in the new Advocis CFP^® Certification Program. You will not have to write the course exams for FP241 and FP242. However, there will be course content in Courses FP241 and FP242 that you will not have seen in Courses FP231 and FP232, nor will you see this content in any of the remaining courses in the new Advocis CFP Certification Program.

For this reason, when you register for Course FP243 and during the time you are registered in this course, Advocis will provide you with access to all course materials for Courses FP241 and FP242. You will receive (free of charge) access to all online content for Courses FP241 and FP242 along with the glossary of terms and the practice questions. The learning content is also downloadable as an eBook, useful for future reference. You will not, however, have access to any scoreable questions, such as the module quizzes, the new case study questions and the course exams for Courses FP241 and FP242. To learn more, click Migration Paths.

Your successful completion of Courses FP231, FP232, and FP233 will provide you with equivalencies for Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243 in the new Advocis CFP^® Certification Program. You will not have to write the course exams for Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243. However, there will be course content in Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243 that you will not have seen in Courses FP231, FP232, and FP233, nor will you see this content in the final course in the new Advocis CFP Certification Program. For this reason, when you register for Course FP244 and during the time you are registered in this course, Advocis will provide you with access to all course materials for Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243.

You will receive (free of charge) access to all online content for Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243 along with the glossary of terms and the practice questions. The learning content is also downloadable as an eBook, useful for future reference. You will not, however, have access to any scoreable questions, such as the module quizzes, the new case study questions and the course exams for Courses FP241, FP242, and FP243. To learn more, click Migration Paths.

While the current core curriculum is highly respected by students and approved by the FPSC, recent changes made to various government programs needed to be added to the content. Modifications such as changes to RRSP and TFSA contribution amounts, the elimination of the Education and textbook tax credit and the phasing out of the Children's fitness and arts tax credit have now been reflected.

No, the re-design of the Advocis CFP Certification Program does not include a significant increase in the amount of material covered.

Absolutely. Learning content is downloadable as an eBook either as an epub or as a PDF. You can print the PDF version or purchase a printed version for $50.

The requirements are a passing mark of 60% in each of the four courses. For each of the four courses in the program, students will need to complete online module quizzes (30% of overall mark), a mandatory case study (10% of overall mark) and an online final exam (60% of overall mark). Please note that there are only four modules in course FP244; the total weighting of the modules in this course is also 30%.

Advocis feels strongly about providing opportunities for students to develop competencies through case studies that exemplify the types of experiences they will face in practice. Each case study will focus on an area of study within each of our courses. Unlike the modular quizzes and course exams, students will not be required to complete the case study in a pre-determined period of time. This will allow the student to take their time to resolve the requirements of the case study.

The passing grade on each course is 60%. The assessments for each course are as follows:
Mandatory Case Study: 10%
Modular Quizzes: 30%
Course Exam: 60%

The CHS education program consists of three courses. The first two core courses are:

• 303 – Disability Income Insurance
• 504 – Critical Illness, Long-Term Care & Group Benefits

To complete the program a third elective course from CFP 241 – 244 must be taken. Please click here for more information.

No, there are currently no pre-requisites. Anybody can enrol to begin the CHS^® program.

Candidates have four years to complete the CHS^® Core Curriculum from the time they are first registered in the program.

Once you have successfully completed the CHS^® designation program, we will notify you of such, and will direct you on how to apply for the designation through The Institute for Advanced Financial Education ("The Institute"). Once we receive your designation agreement and payment for designation dues, your CHS^® certificate will be ordered. Delivery of the certificate may take 4-6 weeks.

As long as you've successfully completed an Advocis CFP course within the last four years, it will satisfy the elective course requirement to attain your CHS designation.

The CLU program is comprised of seven courses, the first four (pre-requisite learning) are from the Advocis CFP^® Certification Program and the final three are CLU courses. You must complete the pre-requisite learning first, or hold the CFP designation, before enrolling in the CLU. The three CLU-specific courses are:

• 255 – Advanced Concepts in Tax & Law for Personal Planning,
• 256 – Tax & legal Principles for Business and their Owners,
• 257 – Advanced Estate Planning

Yes, you must complete the four courses in the Advocis CFP^® Certification Program or hold a CFP designation before enrolling in one of the three CLU courses.

You have four years to complete the three CLU^®courses from the time you first register in the program.

Once you have successfully completed the CLU^® designation program, you will receive notification from
The Institute for Advanced Financial Education ("The Institute"). At that time you will be invited to apply for
the designation. Upon receipt of your designation agreement and payment of designation dues, your CLU^®certificate will be ordered. Delivery of the certificate may take four to six weeks.

You have until October 11, 2017 to complete the remaining CLU^® courses. If you do not complete the remaining courses by the set deadline, you will need to re-do all CLU^® courses in the new curriculum, as no equivalency will be granted.

You will have to re-do the new CLU^® courses, CLU 255, 256 and 257.

If you are unsuccessful in passing all of the CLU^® courses by October 11, 2017, you will have to re-do all CLU^® courses in the new curriculum.

The program has been designed to be completed within a two year time frame. However, the program is self-paced so you may complete the PFA in less time.

The PFA is an integrated, 5-segment program that will engage candidates in actively strengthening practice development skills; deepening technical financial planning and regulatory knowledge; incorporating ethical practices into a sustainable financial advisory business; as well as developing sales, business and marketing skills. Candidates will be assessed via a series of exams and a comprehensive exam.

All program segments, including assessments, will be delivered online.

Course equivalencies will be considered for the Professional Financial Advisor Designation program. Information will be posted regarding equivalencies as final decisions are made.

The PFA designation is designed for newer advisors looking to grow professionally, with an emphasis on practical knowledge, ethics and compliance and practice development.

This designation is unique and distinct from the CLU®, CFP® and CHS. Geared to the newer advisor, it is designed to bridge the theory provided in licensing to real-world practices, within a regulatory and ethical framework.

The decision to launch the PFA was made with input from the Advocis board of directors who are also association members, our corporate partners, as well as regulators. Advocis will continue to listen to members throughout the program build of the PFA.

Total program cost is under development and payment options, including installments are being considered. Please check back at a later date for more detailed information.

The Institute, which confers the PFA designation, is currently contemplating requirements. Please check back at a later date for more detailed information.

There are no required prerequisites, other than initial industry licensing, such as MFDA, IIROC or Life License Qualification Program (LLQP).

Once you are registered in the LLQP program, Advocis will invite you to register for CIPR (Canadian Insurance Participant Registry).

It is very important that you accept and complete the CIPR registration as we can only grant you online content access upon verification of your CIPR registration.

Once you have passed the Advocis LLQP modular exams, Advocis will certify through this same online registry to enable you to write the LLQP provincial exams.

The duration of the LLQP online course is one year from the date of purchase, regardless of when you pass the LLQP certification exams; this includes access to the online content and resources (e.g. PET, chapter quizzes, addendums, etc.).

Foran Financial Institute offers seminars, workbooks, and practice exam questions to help you prepare for your provincial exams: Foran Financial LLQP Preparation Seminars.

Each exam module is offered online with 24/7 access. You can activate the exams when you're ready, at a time convenient to you within the one year course timeframe. Once completed, you will be provided with feedback in your education profile.

You may purchase a re-enrolment for an additional year ($150 + tax). Please contact Member Services at 1-877-773-6765 or email info@advocis.ca for more information.

Once you have passed all of the certification exams within the LLQP program, Advocis will update your education profile with your final grade for the certification exams and update your CIPR profile confirming your certification. Your provincial exam provider will request your CIPR number to confirm certification in order for you to book your exams.

Advocis will also email you an LLQP certificate confirming successful completion of the program.

The first writing of all exam modules is included in the course registration fee. Students are allowed to purchase unlimited subsequent attempts ($75 + tax) at the modular exams, with no set waiting period, within the one year course validity period before they must purchase a course extension.

To purchase a rewrite or for more information, please contact Member Services at 1-877-773-6765 or email info@advocis.ca.

You can expect the following:

• The exams will be open book and all materials will be provided at the examination centre, (students cannot bring in their own materials).
• All modules are composed of 35 multiple choice questions (including 5 pilot questions), with the exception of the Ethics & Professional Practice module, which is comprised of 25 multiple choice questions (including 5 pilot questions).
• Each modular exam is allotted 75 minutes to complete.
• Exam modules can be written in one day with breaks or spread out over several weeks or months. Please check with your exam provider for availability.

Sample questions are posted on the CISRO website. Regulators in each jurisdiction will publish details. Please check with your local jurisdiction for more information.

A summary of the provincial exam rewrite rules are:

• Students can write the provincial exams three times before there is any waiting period.
• There will be a waiting period of three months after the third attempt (measured from the date of the third attempt).
• There will be a waiting period of three months after the fourth attempt (measured from the date of the fourth attempt).
• There will be a waiting period of six months after any subsequent attempt (measured from the date of the latest attempt).
• Please check with your local jurisdiction for more information.

Students must re-enroll in the LLQP program ($150 + tax) and subsequently write and pass the LLQP certification exams. Please contact Member Services at 1-877-773-6765 or email info@advocis.ca for more information.

Please complete the Educontent Query form and forward to educontent@advocis.ca.

Once we have matched you with a mentor, you will receive access to the Getting Established Program. This should take approximately five business days.

You will have 12 months to complete the program, however given it’s a self-study program, you can complete it sooner.

Yes, the program is offered to Advocis members only. To learn more about membership and the benefits of belonging to the oldest and largest professional association for financial advisors and planners in Canada, click here.

You may have your own mentor, or Advocis can appoint one for you.

Yes, a Getting Established certificate is provided.

Complete and submit an online application form. Once you have been approved, you will receive an email confirmation. Click here to access the form.

Yes, after your application has been approved, you will receive orientation training.

You will be matched to a student in your area who holds similar licenses and registrations to your own. We will advise you of the student’s name and location. Once you approve the match, we will notify the student and you will both receive access to the program.

You must be willing to commit to the advisor’s learning path, and dedicate a minimum of 90 minutes per month to the program. This includes the time you take to assess the material and conduct a review meeting with your student.