Exam candidates must have a bachelor's degree, three years of experience and complete a CFP Board-registered education program--or have earned one of an alphabet soup of other credentials.

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan

The four-pronged announcement includes a mobile app, a revamped money-planner platform that allows a CFP to co-view your money-center (think Google Docs for your bank account) and the news that the company has registered as an investment adviser with the SEC (RIA).

FORBES: LearnVest Reinvests In Its Mission: Financial Planning For The 99%

Might a CFP participant inflate the number of problems they encountered just to discredit these other non-CFP advisers and promote their own brand?

FORBES: Why Financial Advisers Lie

LearnVest members have access to a dedicated CFP, through new technology, can view your money-planner in real-time.

FORBES: LearnVest Reinvests In Its Mission: Financial Planning For The 99%

Compliance with the CFP is currently the responsibility of member states although EU-wide inspections take place on a regular basis.

BBC: Common Fisheries Policy Green Paper

"Every CFP worth his or her salt will give the client a no-obligation initial interview, to talk about their goals and objectives, " says Lewis Walker, a Norcross, Ga.

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan

While traditionally most CFPs have worked outside of big firms, Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch (nyse: MER - news - people ) are now encouraging their own brokers to earn CFP credentials, too.

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan

He said it was a "critical time for fisheries management" but stressed that he was committed to take the "once-in-a-decade opportunity" to overcome the "structural failings" of the CFP.

BBC: Common Fisheries Policy has 'failed' - MP