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8 weeks, 500 CFP Board experience hours

The 2026 Externship

Register now for The 2026 Externship! The live program begins June 1!

Watch real financial planners in action, learn the tools of the trade, and discover your path in this profession… all on your schedule.

The live program begins June 1st and runs through July 31st. Your registration includes access to industry-standard technology like eMoney, EncorEstates, Asset-Map, Redtail, and NEW THIS YEAR: Holistiplan and Nitrogen!

Earn 500 CFP Board standard pathway hours and 180 AFC hours upon completion, and you have until August 31st to complete the required elements.  
Overview

The Externship: What's Inside?

Psssst.... The live program begins June 1!

Watch real client meetings

 PLUS commentary of each interaction by a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional 

Complete elements of the client’s financial plan

using tools of the trade like eMoney, Holistiplan, Asset-Map, Redtail, EncorEstates, and more! 

Dive deep into critical pillars of financial planning

cash flow planning, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and more!

Earn 500 CFP Board standard pathway hours and 180 AFCPE hours upon completion.

 PLUS commentary of each interaction by a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional 

Learn from 50+ experts

from across the country as they share their journey through the profession, how they work with clients, and their expert views and resources  

Participate in live Q&A and expert sessions

(questions can be submitted beforehand and replays are available!)

Your Summer Inside The Externship

Inside The Externship, you can expect 15-20 hours of learning, watching, and working each week starting June 1. While that is a large time commitment, our Externs love how deep they can dive into each topic and how many experts they can learn from. Don’t worry, though. You’ll have until August 31st to complete all coursework to earn your CFP Board and AFC hours! 

Earn 500 CFP Board Standard Pathway experience hours

Yes, this is on top of CFP Board’s 40-hour per week maximum! You can also earn 180 AFCPE hours! College credit can also be earned when you speak to your Registered Program Director.
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Ready to join us? 


Scholarships are also available to Externs in need.

Learn more here.


This is your front-row seat to the profession.

Over the next 8 weeks, you’re going to see what financial planning actually looks like in real life. Not just how it’s described in textbooks, podcasts, or job descriptions!

This is an immersive, 8-week virtual experience, starting June 1, where you will:

  • Watch real client meetings
  • See how financial planners think in real time
  • Learn how planning tools are used in practice
  • Hear from over 50 professionals across the industry
  • Complete assignments that help you apply what you’re observing

How the 8 Weeks Are Structured

Each week focuses on a different area of financial planning, and the content is released one week at a time. 
  • Week 1 – Onboarding & Client Care (releases May 31st)
  • Week 2 – Cash Flow Planning (releases June 7)
  • Week 3 – Retirement Planning (releases June 14)
  • Week 4 – Investment Planning (releases June 21)
  • BREAK WEEK – Catch up & come to JD Bruce’s Marathon Session (June 28-July 4)
  • Week 5 – College & Student Loan Planning (releases July 5)
  • Week 6 – Insurance Planning (releases July 12)
  • Week 7 – Tax Planning (releases July 19)
  • Week 8 – Estate Planning (releases July 26)

You’ll have until August 31st to complete all required materials for CFP Board standard pathway experience hours and AFCPE experience hours! 

How to Get the Most Out of The Externship

The Externship is designed to be flexible, but it works best when you:

  1. Treat it like a part-time commitment (15–20 hours/week).
  2. Take notes during each video you watch, particularly client meetings and assignments.
  3. Complete assignments thoughtfully (there’s no timer!).
  4. Attend live calls when possible.
  5. Ask questions and engage in the forums.
  6. Connect with Externs and Experts outside of The Externship, via LinkedIn and even “IRL”!

The more you put into this program, the more you’ll get out of it!
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About the Client Meetings

The client meetings you’ll watch are real. They are not scripted, role-played, or polished for perfection. You’ll see:
  • Moments of clarity
  • Moments of confusion
  • Follow-up questions
  • Strategic advice Emotional nuance

Financial planning is a human profession, and The Externship will show you ALL of it!