Even when you taken your exams etc.. You can only achieve Competent Adviser Status (CAS) whilst working through a company (ie I have now achieved it 3 times with different companies). It normally involves submitting "cases" whether mortgage or financial planning and having a certain number compliance checked over a period of time and achieving a specific pass rate. Some companies add their own internal procedures such as internal tests exams, role plays or real interview observations. All external exams have to be passed to achieve this as well.