Important Notice: Essential System Upgrades – 19 September – 20 September.
To support ongoing improvements, essential system upgrades will take place on 19 September – 20 September.
PSI exams scheduled during this maintenance window will not be visible in your MyCII dashboard until the work has been completed. Orders submitted during this period may also be subject to processing delays.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience while we carry out these important updates.
Pre-requisite qualifications
The completion requirements for the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning include completing another CII level 3 qualification from a choice of four.
CII qualifications
- Level 3 Certificate in Financial Services (General route)
- Level 3 Certificate in Financial Services (Life and Pensions route)
- Level 3 Certificate in Regulated Financial Services Operations
- Level 3 Certificate in Financial Planning (withdrawn)
Non-CII qualifications
If you have completed any of the following non-CII qualifications and you plan to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning, you may be eligible to an exemption from the above CII qualifications.
| Awarding orgnisation | Qualification | Notes |
| Blackburn College - University Centre | Foundation Degree Award in Financial Services | Syllabus in force until 31 October 2017 |
| Chartered Banker Institute (Formerly Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland) | SCQF Level 9 Diploma in Investment Planning 'New Advisers' version | |
| Chartered Banker Institute (Formerly Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland) | QCF / RQF Level 4 Diploma for Professional Financial Advice | |
| Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) | Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma | |
| Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) | Private Client Investment Advice and Management | |
| Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) | Level 3 Certificate in Investment Operations | |
| CFA Society of the UK | Level 4 Certificate in Investment Management (IMC) | |
| Institute and Faculty of Actuaries | Fellow or Associate | All the following modules must be passed: CT1, CT2, CT4, CT5, CT6, CT7 and CT8 |
| London Institute of Banking and Finance (Walbrook Institute. Former names include Ifs School of Finance) | Level 3 Certificate in Financial Advice (CeFA) | |
| London Institute of Banking and Finance (Walbrook Institute. Former names include Ifs School of Finance) | Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers | QCF and RQF versions only. The NQF version does not meet this requirement |
| London Institute of Banking and Finance (Walbrook Institute. Former names include Ifs School of Finance) | Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice | |
| Pensions Management Institute | Level 6 Diploma in Regulated Retirement Advice | |
| Scottish Qualification Authority (now called Qualifications Scotland) | Level 4 Diploma for Professional Financial Advice | QCF and RQF versions |
| University of Northampton | BSc Banking and Financial Planning | |
| University of South Wales | BSc Financial Planning, Investment and Risk |
This qualification must:
- be at least level 3 in a UK qualification framework
- have a regulatory, market overview and product focus
- have been completed since 2005.
To request the exemption
Email priorlearning@cii.co.uk, confirming your intention to complete the CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning, and enclose evidence of completing your non-CII qualification:
- qualification completion certificate and
- results transcript confirming your module passes and dates
- evidence of change of name, if appropriate, e.g. marriage certificate, deed poll.
These documents must be certified as true representations of the originals - view the range of options in step 2 of the prior learning application process.