CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning

Legal or regulatory requirement

CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning

CII (Chartered Insurance Institute); DipPFS (the diploma's designation)

One of the qualifications on the FCA's list that meet the requirement for retail investment advisers. You need an appropriate qualification from that list — not necessarily this one — to give retail investment advice.

Awarding body

Chartered Insurance Institute

Level

Level 4 (RQF)

Where it applies

UK

Exams

6 units (R01 to R06), 100 credits

Entry

• No formal entry requirements; prior qualifications may give credit — check with the CII

Also required

• Total qualification time of about 370 hours (Ofqual estimate, including study and assessment)
• To advise, you also need an annual Statement of Professional Standing and 35 hours' CPD a year

Exemptions

Prior academic qualifications or professional credits may count towards the diploma — check with the CII.

Continuing development

Advisers must complete at least 35 hours of CPD a year (21 structured).

Assessment and registration fees

• We could not confirm a current total from an official CII page, so no figure is shown. Many employers pay for adviser qualifications.