Terms of Use

Home Terms of Use

Last updated: November 2, 2026

These Terms govern use of aiofa.org and any membership with the American Institute of Financial Advisors (“we,” “us”).

1. Directory Purpose. This website is a free-to-consumer directory to help people find financial advisors and firms. Selections are based on our published Selection Criteria and are not an endorsement, certification, or guarantee of any advisor’s qualifications, services, or results.

2. No Advice. We are not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or law firm and do not provide investment, tax, legal, or financial advice.

3. Selection Is Not Purchased. Advisors cannot buy a selection. Free and paid memberships are optional, and paid membership does not affect selection. Featured placements on our home page are paid.

4. No Verification. Information in profiles is supplied by advisors or their representatives. We do not verify licensing, registration, disciplinary history, or profile accuracy. Users should consult adviserinfo.sec.gov, brokercheck.finra.org, and their state securities regulator.

5. Member Compliance. Members are solely responsible for ensuring any use of the award, badge, or listing complies with SEC Rule 206(4)-1, FINRA Rule 2210, state rules, and their firm’s policies, including any required disclosures. We provide no regulatory or compliance advice.

6. Fees and Refunds. Membership fees cover membership and marketing materials. Refund requests are reviewed case by case; contact contact@aiofa.org..

7. Use of Badge and Marks. Members may use the badge only for the award year(s) purchased and only with the disclosures on our Award Disclosure page. We may revoke use at any time.

8. Changes and Removal. We may modify criteria, designations, or listings, or remove a listing, at our discretion.

9. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability. The site is provided “as is.” To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any decision made in reliance on the directory.

10. Contact. Report errors or concerns to contact@aiofa.org.

11. Changes to Terms. We may update these Terms at any time; continued use means acceptance.

American Institute of Financial Advisors

Membership Options, User Notice, Disclaimer, and Waiver of Liability

This website serves as a free-to-consumer directory designed to assist potential clients in finding financial advisors and advisory firms in their area. Our directory is state-specific, with some state lists further divided into regions or areas based on population size to enhance relevance. The selections featured in our directory are based on independent research of publicly available client reviews and/or nominations. They are not investment advice and should not be interpreted as an endorsement, certification, or guarantee of any financial advisor's or advisory firm's qualifications, abilities, or performance. Designations such as “10 Best,” “Best,” “Excellence,” “Our Selection” or any similar titles reflect our organization's independent selection process and acceptance criteria, which take into account various factors but do not constitute a definitive ranking or certification of superiority over other advisors or firms. Inclusion in this directory is neither required nor indicative of an advisor's competence, effectiveness, or the likelihood of any particular financial result. Advisors and firms cannot purchase their selection, and selections cannot be bought. While we offer both free and paid memberships, membership is entirely optional, and a paid membership does not influence the selection process. The presence or absence of an advisor or firm in this directory should not be interpreted as an assessment of their competence or lack thereof; it simply means that they may not have been selected or did not accept membership. The advisors or firms listed on our home page as featured advisors/firms or the like have paid to be featured. All information provided was submitted by the listed advisors or their representatives. We do not independently verify its accuracy and make no representations or warranties regarding the content. We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided on this website. Users should conduct their own independent research when selecting a financial advisor or advisory firm and should not rely solely on this directory. We do not verify registration, licensing status, disciplinary records, or any claims made by listed advisors or firms. Consumers are strongly encouraged to check the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site (adviserinfo.sec.gov), FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org), or their state securities regulator to obtain official information about an advisor's registration, qualifications, and professional standing. This directory should be used solely as a supplementary research tool and not as the sole basis for selecting a financial advisor. We do not endorse, warrant, or provide any assurances about the work, performance, or effectiveness of any listed advisor or advisory firm, and we make no guarantee of investment results or any other outcome. Any reliance on this directory is at the user's own discretion and risk. Our organization is not a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer, is not affiliated with or endorsed by FINRA, the SEC, or any other regulator, and does not provide investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Nothing on this website is an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security or service. Recognition is not indicative of future performance or investment results. For specific financial guidance, users should directly consult a qualified professional of their choosing. This website may be affiliated with, own, or work in conjunction with similar directories or organizations. The mailing address associated with our organization is solely for administrative purposes and does not constitute a physical business location or office presence. In some cases, organization staff may use abbreviated, pseudonymous, or alternative names when interacting with users for administrative efficiency. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms and waive any claims against our organization and its affiliates. We reserve the right to update or modify these terms at any time without prior notice. If you believe an error has been made regarding a selection or listing, or if you have information that may affect a directory entry, please contact us at contact@aiofa.org so that we may review and address your concerns accordingly. If you have received a notice from us that you have been selected and are interested in a free membership, which includes a basic listing in our directory, please contact us at contact@aiofa.org. Advisors and firms who register for either a free or paid membership certify that they are doing so solely as a result of receiving a selection notice from our organization and not through any other means. While a paid membership may include additional benefits such as enhanced visibility, plaques, online badges, expanded profile features, and potential promotional opportunities, the selection process itself remains independent of any payments. We strive to maintain the accuracy of all directory listings; however, errors or omissions may occur. If you notice any inaccuracies in your listing, please notify us immediately for review and correction. Additionally, while we may submit national and local press releases, we cannot guarantee that any media outlet will publish them, as press coverage is subject to the discretion of individual media organizations. By enrolling, you accept sole responsibility for ensuring that any use of this selection/membership, including the recognition badge or listing, complies with all advertising, marketing, testimonial, and regulatory rules that apply to you, including SEC, FINRA, and state securities rules, in your State or jurisdiction. These rules vary widely by location and may change at any time. Our organization provides no legal, regulatory, compliance, or investment advice. You alone must determine and maintain full compliance with all applicable requirements. Receipt or use of this selection/membership, badge, or listing does not imply that your practices meet any legal, regulatory, or ethical standard, and we assume no liability for your compliance. All designations, selections, and listings referenced by this organization are the result of an internal, discretionary, and non-exhaustive directory identification process that is inherently subjective and may rely in part on publicly available information, third-party profiles, public client reviews, or other indicators selected at our sole discretion. No objective ranking, scoring system, comparative analysis, peer voting, client polling, certification, or award determination is performed. These designations are not endorsements or guarantees of professional ability, services, or outcomes, and they carry no guarantee of results. No person or entity should rely on any designation, selection, listing, or membership as a material factor in selecting any professional, practitioner, practice, or organization or in deciding whether to purchase any free or paid membership. Any participation by a professional, practice, or organization is voluntary, made without reliance on any representation of exclusivity, superiority, or prestige, and subject to change. We expressly reserve the unrestricted right to modify, redefine, expand, contract, reclassify, or discontinue any selection criteria, terminology, geographic scope, or designation at any time, with or without notice, including retroactively.