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Certified Financial Literacy Instructor (CFLI™) Certification for Community College Instruction

The CFLI™ certification identifies to the Directors of Community Services (Non-credit adult education classes) those advisors and agents as having sufficient subject matter knowledge and presentation skills to host a Community College workshop on a specific financial topic. Those earning the CFLI™ will be listed on the Financial Literacy Instructor Register for Community Colleges. This Register provides Community Colleges with local CFLI™ certified instructors and academically sound financial literacy classes for their communities.

The certification process is administered by the CFLI Academic Board.

The CFLI designation certifies those advisors and agents have:
1. Passed a series of competency tests on that financial subject.
2. Received high evaluations from live workshops’ attendees.
3. Passed an extensive personal and professional background check.
4. Agreed to the CFLI Academic Board's Academic Code of Ethics, an adaptation of the American Association of University Professors’ Statement on Professional Ethics.

In a survey entitled “NASD Investor Literacy Research” only 35% of investors scored 70% on the National Association of Securities Dealers (now FINRA) basic market knowledge questions. A 2004 NASD survey found 97% of investors said it was important to increase their investment knowledge. Another FINRA survey in June, 2007 indicated that investors expressed a high degree of interest in unbiased information and education. But another FINRA survey expressed concerns about the expertise claims of the financial adviser.

In the past, the target market for workshops was the over 65 group called “Seniors.” This group is categorized by consumer behaviorists as the “Silent Generation (born from 1925 to 1945)” and typically has little investing experience, is trusting of brand name firms and products, and does not ask questions.

An entire new market has arrived: “Boomers (born from 1946 to 1964).” There are 80 million of them and they are the exact opposite of the previous Senior/Silent Generation. They have been investing for years. They are individualistic, skeptical and distrust brand name firms and products, and ask lots of questions. Advisers and agents now must have extensive subject matter expertise to achieve credibility with Boomers. And, do not call them Seniors!

Over 1,000 Community Colleges throughout the United States offer non-credit personal finance classes to adults in their community. Historically, these classes have been hosted by financial advisors and agents. The rise of Boomers has accelerated the demand for more classes. This has resulted in the need for more financial instructors with sufficient subject matter expertise and adult learner presentation skills to effectively deliver the information to Boomers.

In response to these concerns, WallStreet University® developed the Certified Financial Literacy Instructor Certificate to insure Boomer investors that the Community College’s educational workshop’s host has met rigorous standards and has a sufficient level of subject matter and adult learning expertise to teach that workshop.

As a CFLI professional, you become the trusted source for unbiased information and education. The CFLI mark defines your expertise and credibility as a financial educator to Community Colleges.

Initial Certification

Each certification is for one topic. The initial certification requires a background check and general education and industry experience minimums. Each topic certification requires a two-hour course on that topic followed by an examination. You also must host two workshops on that topic and receive high evaluations from the attendees.

Step 1: Ethics
In the CFLI Certification Application, you are to disclose if you have been involved in any self-regulatory agency proceeding or inquiry, and disclose any criminal or civil agency proceeding. Your information will be submitted by the CFLI Academic Board to a third-party, independent firm for an extensive background check. CFLI certification requires you to abide by the CFLI Academic Board's Academic Code of Ethics and agree CFLI Academic Board's right to enforce them, including revocation of certification, at it’s sole discretion.

Applicants for CFLI certification are required to pass CFLI Academic Board's Character and Economic Standards, which describe conduct that is unacceptable thereby baring certification. The candidate may petition the CFLI Academic, under special circumstances, for reconsideration.

Step 2: Education
You will need to be knowledgeable in a specific topic to qualify to take that CFLI Certification Topic Examination. To satisfy the educational requirement, you must pass the CFLI Academic Board Approved Course on that topic. You must have a bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline (preferably business) from an accredited college or university, or a minimum of three years experience in the financial services field.

Step 3: Examination
After meeting the education requirements, you can take the CFLI Certification Examination. The CFLI Certification Examination assesses your basic knowledge of a specific topic. It assures the Community College that you have met a level of subject matter competency to host a workshop.

Step 4: Experience
Because CFLI certification indicates to the Community College your ability to provide financial education without supervision, you must have experience in both financial presentations and in financial advisory. Three years of full-time relevant personal financial advisory experience is required. And, you must host two workshops on the topic, under the supervision of a CFLI Coach, using CFLI Academic Board approved content. You must receive high evaluations from each attendee and the CFLI Coach on each workshop.

Certification Renewal

Once you have been authorized to use the CFLI mark, you must meet CFLI Academic Board's topic renewal standards to continue to use them. Each CFLI topic certification must be renewed each year at the end of your renewal month. The renewal requirements are 1) re-certification application, 2) $295 re-certification fee (non-refundable), and 3) 12 hours of Continuing Education: 11 hours in the topic and one hour on the CFLI Academic Board's Academic Code of Ethics. Renewals will be subject to the requirements in place at that time.

Additional Topic Certification

Once you have been authorized to use the CFLI mark, you can apply to be certified in additional topics. This is only a three phase process and requires that you first meet the educational requirement for that topic. Then you must host only one workshop on the topic, under the supervision of a CFLI Coach, using CFLI Academic Board approved content and receive high evaluations from each attendee and the CFLI Coach on each presentation. Finally, you must pass the CFLI Certification Examination to demonstrate your basic knowledge of that specific topic.

Call Steve Sipe at 888-458-0123 for personal service