The CFP Board of Standards asked their CFP membership to finger other advisers who are probably not CFP certificate holders.

FORBES: Why Financial Advisers Lie

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

When the certificant provides financial planning or material elements of financial planning, the certificant owes to the client the duty of care of a fiduciary as defined by the CFP Board.

FORBES: Differences Between Stockbrokers, Investment Advisors And Financial Planners

An important one is Certified Financial Planner, a designation awarded by the CFP Board of Standards in Denver after classes, some work experience, an exam and a pledge to abide by a code of ethics.

FORBES: Advice You Can Trust

The websites of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (cfp.net) and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org), have membership directories, listing hundreds of advisers in all parts of the country, that allow users to search by name or location.

WSJ: Borrowers Could See Higher Interest Rates