How to become chartered in regulated financial advice

Whatever stage you’re at in your career, studying our professional qualifications is the most flexible way to achieve chartered status. You may even discover that you’re already on the way to achieving chartered status without even knowing.

Our professional qualifications allow you to fit your studies around work and other commitments – as well as to choose a route that suits your career and ambitions. To achieve chartered status, you will need to complete two stages:

Stage one: Diploma for Financial Advice (DipFA), which is at Level 4
Stage two: Diploma in Financial Advice (Adv DipFA) at Level 6

While studying for both these qualifications, you will automatically become a Member of The London Institute of Banking & Finance – giving you access to our professional networking events and careers support.

Stage one: Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA)

The DipFA is an industry benchmark financial adviser qualification, required by the Financial Conduct Authority for all retail investment advisers.

Created with the workplace in mind, this qualification covers regulation and ethics as well as financial advice at an advanced level. It will support your work while you study, and you will also benefit from forums with tutors and other students, coursework and specimen exam papers.

After stage one you will:

have the opportunity to continue your membership of The London Institute of Banking & Finance
have access to continuing professional development (CPD) services
be one step closer to being eligible for a statement of professional standing (SPS)
be able to use the ‘DipFA’ designation after your name and in your email signature

Stage two: Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice (Adv DipFA)

Developed with financial advisers and employers, the AdvDipFA builds on the DipFA to give you the expertise you need to provide customers with complex financial advice and planning services. You can study the four required units in any order, and we will support you with weekly study guides and dedicated online tutors.

After stage two – provided you have three years’ professional experience – you will be eligible to apply for chartered status.

You will also:

have the opportunity to continue your membership of The London Institute of Banking & Finance
have access to continuing professional development (CPD) services, and
be able to use the ‘Adv DipFA’ designation after your name and in your email signature