Est. 1988
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16,000+ Designees
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501(c)(3) Nonprofit
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8 Specialist Designations
Designation Programs
Choose your designation
Each program is built for a specific area of practice. Find yours. Join 16,000+ financial professionals who hold IBF designations.
Every program includes printed textbooks, digital study materials, practice questions, two exams, a case study, and CE credits. Add IBF Concierge for dedicated support.
CES™
Estate & Trust
Certified Estate & Trust Specialist
CES™
How you structure transfers, coordinate trusts, and protect assets.
Self-Paced
Up to 50 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CDAS™
Digital Assets
Certified Digital Asset Specialist
CDAS™
How you evaluate, custody, and integrate digital assets for clients.
Self-Paced
Up to 50 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CTS®
Tax
Certified Tax Specialist
CTS®
How you identify, quantify, and act on tax planning opportunities.
Self-Paced
Up to 55 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CSS™
SS & Medicare
Certified Social Security & Medicare Specialist
CSS™
How you analyze claiming strategies and coordinate Medicare decisions.
Self-Paced
Up to 50 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CIS™
Retirement Income
Certified Income Specialist
CIS™
How you build, stress-test, and manage retirement income plans.
Self-Paced
Up to 55 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CFS®
Pooled Investments
Certified Fund Specialist
CFS®
How you evaluate, compare, and recommend pooled investments.
Self-Paced
Up to 60 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CDFS™
Divorce Financial
Certified Divorce Financial Specialist
CDFS™
How you value, divide, and project financial outcomes in divorce.
Self-Paced
Up to 50 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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CAS®
Annuities
Certified Annuity Specialist
CAS®
How you structure, explain, and position annuity solutions.
Self-Paced
Up to 50 CE Credits
$1,495.00
One-time enrollment
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IBF Concierge
Weekly check-ins, dedicated advisor, goal setting, and priority support. Add to any designation at enrollment.
$295
Added at checkout with any program
Atlas Library
Ongoing access to Reference Atlas data across all designations. Annually updated research and market data.
$199/year
Subscription