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Self-Paced Study

Get the education materials and study at your own pace for the exam.

What is Self-Paced Study?

Self-Paced Study is the most flexible pathway to earning the AFC certification. AFC candidates working through the Self-Paced Study program receive the study materials and prepare for the AFC exam at their own pace.

Is this pathway right for me?

The Self-Paced Study is our most popular pathway and is perfect for self-starters, career-changers, and others who want to complete their certification on their own time, at their own pace.

Explore Education Materials

Several education materials are offered to support you on your journey to earning your AFC. Choose which materials work best for your learning style.

A supplementary tool to support your preparation for the AFC examination. The guide is included with the self-paced study pathway and available as an add-on for all other pathways. It is designed to guide you through the material, providing you with additional tools and resources to develop your skills, test your comprehension, and put your knowledge into practice.

Let our qualified instructors help you connect the dots between the AFC core competencies and the application of the material.

  • Live instruction or on-demand access
  • Comprehensive review of the material
  • Opportunity to ask questions

Click here to learn more

This option provides a curated selection of three textbooks covering personal finance, financial counseling, and debt management. This comprehensive study package is everything you need to cover the AFC core competencies. Perfect on their own or paired with the AFC Webinar Review. 

Certification Pricing

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

Registration Fee: $75

One-time fee due upfront during registration.

Education Materials: $750

Comes with the AFC Online Study Guide and includes your choice of study materials. Extra materials available for an additional fee.

Exam Fee: $750

Can be purchased during registration or later.

Ready to Get Started? Choose Your Bundle!

Create your profile and register online. We will process your registration within three days and, upon approval, you’ll be able to start exploring your Certification Dashboard and AFC Online Study Guide. Please allow 14 business days for textbook shipments.

Pay Exam Fee Later

Pay Exam Fee Up Front

Classic Study Bundle

$ 825 not including exam fee.
  • Registration Fee
  • AFC® Exam Fee
  • AFC® Online Study Guide
  • Recommended Textbooks
  • AFC® Webinar Review
Popular

Complete Study Bundle

$ 1,425 not including exam fee.
  • Registration Fee
  • AFC® Exam Fee
  • AFC® Online Study Guide
  • Recommended Textbooks
  • AFC® Webinar Review

Classic Study Bundle

$ 1,575 including exam fee.
  • Registration Fee
  • AFC Exam Fee
  • AFC Online Study Guide
  • Recommended Textbooks
  • AFC Webinar Review
Popular

Complete Study Bundle

$ 2,175 including exam fee.
  • Registration Fee
  • AFC Exam Fee
  • AFC Online Study Guide
  • Recommended Textbooks
  • AFC Webinar Review

Certification registration fee is non-refundable. Please view the AFCPE® Refund & Transfer Policy for more details. Books and materials that ship outside the U.S. will incur a $35 international shipping charge. Electronic materials will be accessible as long as you are a candidate. Upon completion, access will be terminated. 

The Certification Council does not require, provide, accredit, or endorse any specific study guides, training or review courses, or other examination preparation products. The Certification Council, certification staff, certification committee members, and certification subject matter experts do not have involvement in the creation, accreditation, approval, endorsement or delivery of examination review courses, preparatory materials, educational programs, or training programs/products that prepare candidates for the AFC certification examination.

Not Sure Which Pathway is Best for You?

Register for a free AFC Info Session

Join our Certification Team for a no-pressure, informative session to get all the information you need to make your decision.

Our info sessions are held monthly. Can't make it live? Register and we'll send you the recording!

Or, send us an email at certification@afcpe.org to discuss your options.

Learn More

Explore Other Pathways

Financial Education Challenge

For those who have completed applicable coursework in personal finance, financial planning, consumer sciences, or equivalent curriculum from a regionally-accredited college or university.

Registered Education Programs

AFCPE partners with over 30 institutions-click to see if your school is one of them. Interested in a more traditional classroom experience? Check out our non-degree options.

Professional Designation Challenge

If you hold a CFP®, CPA, ChFC or CFA designation, this may be the pathway for you. These professionals are exempt from a portion of the AFC core competencies.

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