CPWA® Certification

The Advanced Certification for Serving High-Net-Worth Clients

The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA® ) professional certification is designed specifically for seasoned advisors and wealth managers who work with or would like to work with high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients.

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Introducing the 2025 CPWA® Accelerate Program

With an accelerated timeline, you can achieve certification faster than traditional education pathways—without compromising quality. 

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What Can CPWA® Do for You?

The CPWA® program delivers a comprehensive education on advanced wealth management strategies, giving you the tools you need to deliver exceptional value to your HNW and UHNW client relationships. The CPWA® certification program was accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) in 2022, affirming that the CPWA® certification consistently distinguishes those who meet a global standard of competency and skills in private wealth management from those who do not.

Learn how the CPWA® certification can help you address the complex financial needs of affluent clients while also building your book of business. The curriculum delivers specialized, advanced knowledge that combines:

  • A holistic, multidisciplinary approach to the interconnected challenges and opportunities that significant wealth brings.

  • Deep dives into critical areas of wealth planning and preservation, including sophisticated tax management and wealth transfer tools, as well as legacy planning and family dynamics.

With the CPWA® designation, you can deliver the advanced knowledge, tools and skills needed to meet - and exceed - the complex needs of HNW and UHNW families.

Differentiate With Increased Credibility

By integrating a holistic approach with deep and focused expertise, CPWA® certification holders have reported greater career satisfaction and higher compensation than non-holders. Learn how it can help you stand out from the competition and build your practice.

Increase Your Professional Value: Download Our CPWA® Brochure →
73%

of CPWA® -certified professionals manage more than 50% of their clients’ investable assets and are more likely to manage $1B+ in assets.

93.3%

of CPWA®-certified advisors rate the certification as highly valuable.

67.1%

of CPWA® -certified professionals are adept at implementing family governance and educational programs.

$682K

average annual earnings for CPWA®-certified advisors ($682,827).

CPWA Certification Process & Costs

Completing CPWA® requirements is a commitment.

But you’re worth it.

When you join the community of CPWA® -certified professionals, you’re in the company of elite wealth advisors from around the globe dedicated to creating exceptional outcomes for their clients.

Ready for the challenge?

Get CPWA® Process & Cost Details →

  1. Apply and select an education provider

  2. Complete executive education program

  3. Pass the CPWA® certification exam

  4. Complete your certification

Premier Education Providers to Guide Your CPWA® Program

Investments & Wealth Institute partners with Ivy League-quality educational providers to bring intellectual rigor, engaging teaching, and cutting-edge research to our standards-based, ANAB-accredited CPWA® curriculum.

Yale School of Management

Learn from leading faculty and industry experts and leverage comprehensive study materials and exam-prep tools in Yale’s fully online program Wealth Management Theory & Practice.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Delivered by distinguished faculty and experienced industry professionals, Chicago Booth’s hybrid CPWA® certification program begins with online study of the course content and concludes with a 5-day in-person session.

View CPWA® Education Provider Details→

"The CPWA® certification is a valuable next step for CFP® advisors who want to grow the knowledge base and skill set they need to build and maintain relationships with high-net-worth and other sophisticated investors."

Kevin Sánchez, CIMA®, CPWA®, CFP®
Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley

Resources to Support Your CPWA® Certification Journey

BROCHURE→

Make your case to peers and employers.

CANDIDATE HANDBOOK→

All-in-one reference to the CPWA® certification program.

CPWA® CURRICULUM & EXAM OVERVIEW→

At-a-glance coursework outline and what to expect at exam time.

SCHOLARSHIPS→

Learn about financial assistance for CPWA® candidates from underrepresented communities.

"The CPWA® certification is worth its weight in gold. It’s definitely been the best program that I have ever gone through from a continuing education and expertise standpoint. After completing the course, I saw immediate benefits from the program."

Erik Averill
CPWA®, CFP®, CKA®

Why offer CPWA® Certifications to Your Teams?

The ROI your firm gets from advanced, experienced, and specialized wealth management professionals comes from their expanded capability to drive in-depth conversations—and deliver tangible results.

Greater Asset Management

The average AUM for teams that include a CPWA® -certified advisor is $483 million.

$1 Billion +

CPWA® -certified advisors are more likely to manage $1 billion or more in assets, indicating these advisors are highly-skilled at attracting and serving HNW clients.

Higher-Value Services

CPWA®-certified practices focus a greater percentage of their offerings on services such as charitable, intergenerational, and estate planning.

Ready to take the next step?

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