A Certified Financial Planner™ requires passing a 10 hour examination showing competency in insurance, retirement planning, income taxation, investments and estate planning. The individual must have 3 years of experience in financial planning and must recertify every 2 years with an additional 30 hours of continuing education.

As a final step to certification, CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. This code sets forth the ethical responsibilities to the public, to clients and to employers. Any ethical violation could result in the termination of the letters CFP® behind the name of any financial planner.

The CFP® mark behind an individual's name is the gold standard in financial planning. Most certified financial planners have a securities license in order to purchase investments for their client base. Victor Wendl has a securities license and is a Certified Financial Planner. In addition to board certification, he has completed the 6 course sequence through the American College to become certified as a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).