The purpose of the Certified Financial Planner Board (CFP®) Standards of Professional Conduct, effective January 1, 2007, is to ensure that an individual's conduct does not reflect negatively on profession of Certified Financial Planners. Included in the standards are: code of ethics and professional responsibility, rules of conduct, standards of financial planning practice, disciplinary rules and procedures, and candidate suitability standards. These standards establish standards of character and suitability to promote and protect the integrity of the CFP® designation. MISSION The mission of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) is to benefit the public by granting CFP® certification and supporting it as a recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. In order to establish the highest standards in the industry, the CFP Council has adopted seven principles to outline the ethical and professional ideals expected in the CFP® profession. These principles form the foundation of the Council's disciplinary rules, standards of practice and rules of conduct. The principles also define the professional and personal responsibilities that certificate holders have to their clients, colleagues, employers and the public. The seven principles defined in the CFP Boards Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility are integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence. In my opinion the first principle, integrity, is the foundation of every relationship, working or otherwise. Due to the private nature and intrusiveness of financial planning, it is essential to establish trust, honesty and sincerity. In fact, fiduciary res...... middle of paper...... last five years, more than one judicial bond, revocation or suspension of non-financial professional license, suspension of financial license, felony conviction within the last five years or any conviction for a violent crime. Candidate suitability standards reduce the disrepute of the CFP® brand by eliminating candidates with a history of weak character. In conclusion, the Certified Financial Planner Board has established the CFP® mark as one of the highest designations in the financial planning industry. The Standards of Professional Conduct represent an industry-wide excellence that helps establish standards, maintain and advance the field of financial planning. Periodic reviews, ongoing diligence in on-site activities, and an ongoing value of ethics and professionalism will ensure the future integrity of the CFP® designation. Standard Works CitedCFP