CFP Board does not publish a passing score or a passing percentage. Each of the 170 questions counts one point, and passing is based on your total score across all sections of the exam.
Questions
170 multiple choice
Time
Two 3-hour sections of 85
Scoring
1 point each, pass or fail on the total
Windows
March, July and November
Passing score
Not published by CFP Board
How the exam is scored
The exam is pass or fail.
Every question counts for 1 point, whether it is stand-alone or part of a case study.
Passing is based on the total across all sections, so a strong domain can make up for a weaker one.
Preliminary results appear on screen right after the exam; official results arrive by email about 4 weeks after the window closes.
Why a percentage you see online is a guess
CFP Board's scoring page gives no cut score, and any percentage quoted elsewhere as the CFP pass mark is not CFP Board's figure. Judge your readiness by how you do across all eight domains on full, timed practice.
How to judge your readiness
Sit a full 170-question practice exam in two 3-hour sections.
Fix the heaviest weak domain first. Retirement Savings and Income Planning carries 18% and Investment Planning 17%.
Review every miss until you can say why the right answer serves the client best.
Try 3 questions
Question 1Retirement income and distribution strategies
Ellen turns 75 in 2026, takes the standard deduction and gives $10,000 to her church each year. Her 2026 IRA required minimum distribution is $30,000. What is the MOST tax-efficient way to make her gift in 2026?
Question 2Bond and stock valuation
A bond with a 5% annual coupon on its $1,000 face value is quoted at $1,080. What is its current yield?
Question 3Principles of counseling
A client tells her planner, "I know I really need to start saving for retirement, and I keep thinking about it, but I'm not sure I can give anything up right now." In the stages of change model, which stage is she in?
CFP Board does not publish one. Each question is worth one point and passing is based on the total score across all sections.
Do you get your CFP exam score?
You see a preliminary pass or fail result right after the exam, and official results come by email about 4 weeks after the window closes. A candidate who does not pass gets a diagnostic report by topic.