Difference between a Financial Adviser and a Certified Financial Planner?

Anyone can call themselves a financial planner since there is no licensing requirement. However a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) has to have completed extensive education requirements, passed a grueling exam, have a minimum three years experience and must abide by the code of ethics of the CFP Board.

Additionally, a Financial Adviser is one who has extensive experience in financial planning, aside from being a certified financial planner.