One of the hallmarks of a true profession is recognition of that profession by a government body. Today, while state and federal authorities regulate elements of financial planning, there is no explicit recognition of financial planners in law.
 
Today, anyone can call themself a financial planner without meeting any threshold competency or ethical standards. This state of affairs is confusing and damaging to consumers.
 
The Financial Planning Association is determined to seek the legal recognition of the term “financial planner” through title protection to protect consumers, establish financial planning as a recognized profession, and advance the interests of its Members.
 
FPA would like your input as an FPA Member on the potential threshold standards. Please take 10 minutes to complete the following survey. If you would like additional background information on title protection, please visit the FPA website.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important survey!

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* 1. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner meet certain threshold education standards?

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* 2. If you answered yes, what should those education standards be? If no, why not?

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* 3. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner pass a comprehensive exam that tests financial planning concepts?

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* 4. If you answered yes, what concepts should the exam test?  If no, why not?

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* 5. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner meet certain experience standards?

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* 6. If you answered yes, what should those experience standards be? If no, why not?

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* 7. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner always adhere to a fiduciary standard?

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* 8. If you answered yes, what should be the main elements of that fiduciary standard?  If no, why not?

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* 9. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner adhere to established Standards of Conduct, which includes a code of ethics?

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* 10. If you answered yes, what should be the main elements of the Standards of Conduct? If no, why not?

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* 11. Is it important that anyone who represents themselves as a financial planner adheres to a continuing education (CE) requirement?

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* 12. If you answered yes, what should be the (CE requirement)? If no, why not?

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* 13. Should title protection be pursued at the state or federal level?

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* 14. Please explain your reasoning to the previous question.

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* 15. Should title protection be enforced by a government body, credentialing organization, or self-regulatory organization?

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* 16. Please explain your reasoning to the previous question.

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