Title Users
For financial professionals working in New Brunswick, the title protection regime is an important and positive change. It will validate their education and expertise, promote consistency and professionalism among those using the titles and make it easier for them to communicate their value to consumers.
The Commission is the regulatory body for financial advisor and financial planner title use in New Brunswick. Our role is to ensure that those using the titles “financial advisors” and “financial planner” (or similar titles) in the province are:
- Part of an approved credentialing program
- Subject to minimum education requirements and oversight by an approved credentialing body.
The Commission approves and oversees credentialing bodies to ensure they have policies and procedures in place for the effective administration of a credentialing program. It will also investigate complaints regarding individuals using a title without an approved credential.
To help industry and their clients adapt to the new title protection legislation, the regime is being phased in over time. The transition periods will allow for those using the protected titles without an approved credential before January 1, 2026, to continue to do so until the transition period ends.
Does the legislation affect me?
The framework will apply to all individuals who wish to use the titles of “financial advisor” or “financial planner” (or similar) in New Brunswick.
This includes:
- Those using the titles financial advisor, financial planner or a similar title on or before January 1, 2026.
- Those who started using the protected (or similar) titles after January 1, 2026.
Similar titles include the “financial advisor” and “financial planner” title in another language, an abbreviation or a title that could reasonably be confused with the titles “financial advisor” or “financial planner.” These include but are not limited to:
| Similar titles to financial planner | Similar titles to financial advisor |
|---|---|
| any variation in spelling or abbreviation of Financial Planner (for example, FP) | any variation of spelling or abbreviation of Financial Advisor (for example, Financial Adviser, FA) |
| ________ Financial Planner (for example, Senior Financial Planner, Personal Financial Planner, etc.) | ________ Financial Advisor (for example, Senior Financial Advisor, Qualified Financial Advisor, etc.) |
| Financial ________Planner (for example, Financial Wealth Planner, Financial Investments Planner, etc.) | Financial ________Advisor/Adviser (for example, Financial Wealth Advisor/Adviser, Financial Investments Advisor/Adviser, etc.) |
| Financial Planner _________ (for example, Financial Planner Investments) | Financial Advisor _________ (for example, Financial Advisor Investments) |
| Financial Planning _________ (for example, Advisor, Adviser, Coach, Consultant, Counsellor, Guru, Manager, etc.) | Financial Advising ________ (for example, Coach, Consultant, Counsellor, Guru, Manager, etc.) |
| Any variation of the above titles in another language | |
Subject to the transition periods, use of the protected titles will be restricted to individuals with an approved credential in good standing with an approved credentialing body. Any other individual must either obtain an approved credential or use a different title.
What are the transition periods?
For those using the financial advisor (or similar) title, the transition period ends on January 1, 2028.
For those using the financial planner (or similar) title, the transition period ends on January 1, 2030.
At the end of the transition period, you are only permitted to use the title if you hold an approved credential from a Commission-approved credentialing body. See the list of Commission-approved credentialing bodies here.
To determine if you are eligible for the transition periods, select from one of the two scenarios below:
- You started using the “financial advisor” or “financial planner” (or similar) title after January 1, 2026. The transition period does not apply to you. You may only use the title if you hold a Commission-approved credential from a Commission-approved credentialing body.
- You were using the “financial advisor” or “financial planner” (or similar) title on or before January 1, 2026. You are eligible. Please refer to the decision tree below to determine how the transition periods apply to you.
Do you currently hold a Commission-approved credential from a Commission-approved credentialing body?
If yes, then you can continue to use the title associated with the approved credentialing body.
If no, you can continue to use the title until the end of the transition period that applies to you.
At the end of the transition period, if you have obtained a Commission-approved credential from a Commission-approved credentialing body, you can continue to use the title.
If you have not obtained a Commission-approved credential from a Commission-approved credentialing body at the end of the transition period, you must cease using the title immediately.
FAQs
Are there any fees associated with the title protection framework?
Yes, the Commission has established a fee model that includes fixed application fees and tiered annual fees based on title use. It will collect fees from approved credentialing bodies; it will not collect fees from credential holders. The fees collected by the Commission will help cover a portion of the administrative costs of overseeing this sector.
You can find more information on the fee structure here: Rule TPA-002 Fees
I am a financial advisor / financial planner and have clients in different Canadian provinces. How will title protection impact my work?
In designing the framework for title protection in New Brunswick, the Commission considered similar legislation in Ontario and Saskatchewan and how the requirements could be harmonized to mitigate the regulatory burden for individual title users as well as organizations and/or credentialing bodies that may operate nationally.
If you have clients outside New Brunswick, check whether the Canadian jurisdiction you are working in has implemented title protection regulations.
What is the Commission’s role within the financial advisor / financial planner sector?
The Commission’s role and responsibilities include:
- Approving organizations as credentialing bodies.
- Establishing minimum standards for credentialing bodies and financial advisor and financial planner credentials.
- Approving credentials for financial advisor and financial planner title use.
- Supervising approved credentialing bodies.
- Taking enforcement action for breaches of the Financial Advisor and Financial Planner Title Protection Act.
- Investigating complaints against approved credentialing bodies.
- Investigating complaints against organizations claiming to offer approved credentials or carrying on business as an approved credentialing body without the Commission’s approval.
- Investigating complaints against individuals using the financial advisor or financial planner title or a title which could be reasonably confused with the financial advisor and financial planner title without holding an approved credential.
What is the role of an approved credentialing body?
The roles and responsibilities of a credentialing body include:
- Granting approved credentials.
- Overseeing the conduct of credential holders.
- Investigating complaints regarding the conduct of credential holders.
- Imposing disciplinary actions against credential holders.