EFPA Certifications: Everything You Need to Know
What is EFPA Spain?
EFPA Spain is the Spanish Association of Financial Advisors and Planners, with more than 35,000 members.
It was established in 2000 and its birth in Spain is entirely linked to the creation of the European Financial Planning Association (EFPA).
EFPA Spain acts as an independent professional certification platform and as an association that brings together professionals dedicated to financial advice and planning in our country, duly certified.
EFPA Certifications
EFPA’s professional certifications measure competencies and knowledge based on programs grounded in professional practice, and obtaining them allows financial advisory and planning professionals to carry out their activity with the guarantee that they have the necessary qualifications.
This professionalizes and regulates the work of the financial advisor, making it mandatory to have a certification in order to provide financial advice to third parties.
It is important to remember that, unlike academic degrees, these are NOT for life and once obtained, it must be ensured annually that sufficient continuing education has been completed to remain professionally up to date.
EFPA, throughout Europe, accredits and certifies professionals in personal financial advice and planning with these certificates:
- EIA (European Investment Assistant)
- EIP (European Investment Practitioner)
- EFA (European Financial Advisor)
- EFP (European Financial Planner)
EIA (European Investment Assistant)
The EFPA European Investment Assistant (EIA) certification recognizes the necessary qualification to provide information in accordance with ESMA guidelines and the criteria they establish regarding knowledge and skills to provide information on investment matters.
Check out our preparatory course online here
EIP (European Investment Practitioner)
The EFPA European Investment Practitioner (EIP) certification recognizes the necessary qualification to provide usually occasional advice, in accordance with ESMA guidelines and the criteria they establish regarding knowledge and skills to advise on investment matters.
It is an intermediate and partial level for obtaining the next higher certification, EFA.
Check out our preparatory program here
EFA (European Financial Advisor)
The EFPA European Financial Advisor certification certifies the professional suitability to perform advisory, management, and financial advisory tasks for individuals in personal or private banking, client-oriented financial services, and any professional banking, insurance, or independent function that involves offering an integrated wealth and financial advisory service.
Check out our preparatory program here
EFP (European Financial Planner)
The EFPA European Financial Planner certification certifies the professional suitability to perform comprehensive personal financial planning tasks of high complexity and volume.
It is the highest level of professional recognition as a financial advisor.
Check out our preparatory program here
Who needs a certification?
Any financial advisor or banking sector employee who wants to prove to entities and their clients that they have deep and up-to-date training in the financial sector.
What advantages do you get by obtaining an EFPA certification?
- Permanent expansion of your knowledge to progress professionally
- Improvement in service quality and in client satisfaction and loyalty
- Acquisition of professional prestige and employability
- Adaptation to current and future regulatory requirements for professional qualification
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to take the preparatory course online?
Yes, it is possible. With BFS you can choose the modality that best suits your needs and prepare through our blended course or our 100% online course (for the EIA, EIP, or EFA certification).
How long will it take me to prepare for the exam?
For both the EIP and EFA certifications, about 150 hours of classes are estimated, plus self-study hours, which would be at least about 3 months approximately.
Do I need to have the EIP certificate before taking the EFA exam?
To take the EFA exam, it is necessary to have previously obtained level I (or EIP). In any case, you can also prepare for both levels and take a single call for both levels.
How do I register for the exam?
Registration for the exam is done directly with the certifying entity EFPA Spain.
If you have questions about EFPA Spain certifications, you can contact our training department and we will be happy to assist you. You can call 93 412 44 31 / 650 71 74 77 or send an email to cursos@bfs-ief.com
