Professional Designations

Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM (AAMS®)

The AAMS® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation, which focuses on identifying opportunities and strategies relating to a client’s overall financial picture.

There are no prerequisites for this designation. Designees must complete the AAMS® online self-study course and online proctored exam within 120 days of receiving program access.

To maintain this designation, designees must complete 16 hours of continuing education credits and pay a renewal fee every two years.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)

The AIF® designation certifies that the recipient has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the standards-setting body of fi360.

Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)

The CEPA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation, which focuses on planning for business transitions.

Prerequisites for the designation are an undergraduate degree and five years full time or equivalent experience working with business owners as a financial advisor (or other professional capacity).

Designees must complete an executive MBA-style program that teaches business exit planning and successfully pass the CEPA certification exam.

Designees must also complete 40 hours of continuing education credits every three years.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

To become certified as a CFP® Professional, one must meet the following requirements in the areas of education, examination, experience, and ethics.

Education Requirements

The education requirement for attaining CFP® certification includes two main parts:

1. Complete college or university-level coursework through a program registered with the CFP® Board, addressing the major personal financial planning areas identified by the CFP® Board’s most recent Job Analysis Study; and

2. Verify that you hold a regionally accredited college or university bachelor’s degree or higher (accreditation must be recognized by U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree is awarded).

Examination Requirement

Designees must pass the CFP® Certification Examination. This examination is administered over several hours and includes case studies and client scenarios designed to test one’s ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one’s knowledge of financial planning to real world circumstances.

Experience Requirement

An individual must complete at least three (3) years full-time financial planning related qualifying experience, or the equivalent of 2,000 hours per year for a total of 6,000 hours. Alternatively, an individual may complete two (2) years as an apprentice under the direct supervision of a CFP professional, or the equivalent of 4,000 hours.

Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)

The CIMA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation, which focuses on technical investment portfolio analysis and design.

Prerequisites for the designation are three years’ experience in financial services and a successful background check.

Designees must complete the CIMA education requirement through a registered education provider and successfully pass the CIMA Certification Exam, a five hour-long, computer-based examination.

Designees must also complete 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two hours of ethics, every two years and are required to adhere to a Code of Professional Responsibility.

CLTC® Certification for Long-Term Care

The CLTC® designation certifies that the recipient is capable of discussing the subject of longevity and its acute consequences on a client’s family – financially, physically, and emotionally. Designees are able to offer advice that leads to a plan to mitigate those consequences. To obtain the CLTC Designation, an individual must complete a training program and pass a certifying examination. In order to maintain the CLTC Designation, an individual must pay an annual renewal fee and complete the CLTC renewal course or state mandated Long-Term care training every two years.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The CPA certification proves that designees have obtained the education and relevant work experience necessary to perform specialized accounting, auditing, and reporting services within a strict code of professional ethics.

All state and jurisdiction Boards of Accountancy require CPA candidates to have a bachelor’s degree at minimum with 150 semester hours of credit.

Designees earn their CPA once they have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and met state or jurisdiction-specific education and experience requirements.

After becoming a CPA, designees must also complete 120 hours of continuing education credits every three years with a minimum of 20 hours of credits in each year.

Certified Pension Consultant (CPC)

The CPC credential is conferred by ASPPA to benefits professionals working in plan administration, pension actuarial administration, insurance and financial planning. The CPC is the capstone credential, or highest credential, currently conferred by ASPPA.

Prerequisites for the designation are three years’ experience in the retirement plan industry or completion of the Retirement Plan Fundamentals certificate program.

Designees must successfully complete a series of examinations administered by ASPPA. They must also earn 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two hours of ethics, every two years.

Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®)

The CPFA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation which focuses on providing the expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary and help plan sponsors manage their roles and responsibilities. Designees must pass the NAPA CPFA examination. To maintain the CPFA Designation, an individual must complete ten hours of continuing education each calendar year.

Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)

The CPWA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation, which focuses on strategies for high net worth clients.

Prerequisites for the designation are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or one of the following designations: CIMA®, RMA®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC® or a CPA license; five years of professional experience in financial services; and a comprehensive background check.

Designees must complete the CPWA education requirement through a registered education program and successfully pass the CPWA Certification Exam, a 4 hour-long, computer-based examination.

Designees must also complete 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two hours of ethics, every two years and are required to adhere to a Code of Professional Responsibility.

Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®)

The CRPS® Program is specifically targeted at professionals who design, install, and maintain retirement plans for the business community. Continued use of the CRPS® designation is subject to ongoing renewal requirements. Every two years, individuals must renew their right to continue using the CRPS® designation by completing 16 hours of continuing education; reaffirming to abide by the Standards of Professional Conduct, Terms and Conditions; and self-disclose any criminal, civil, self-regulatory organization, or governmental agency inquiry, investigation, or proceeding relating to their professional or business conduct.

Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP®)

The IACCP® is sponsored by National Regulatory Services (NRS) and the Investment Adviser Association (IAA). This designation signifies that an individual has met the initial and ongoing requirements of the professional designation, which focuses on the regulatory obligations of investment advisers, and offers additional competency in trading and current regulatory mandates.

Designees must complete the IACCP education requirement through NRS, have two years of investment adviser compliance experience, and successfully pass a certifying examination. Designees must also complete 12 hours of continuing education credits, including two hours of ethics, annually to maintain the designation.

National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®)

The NSSA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going requirements for the professional designation, which focuses on providing advice regarding social security benefits.

The prerequisite for this designation is a job function that includes advising clients about Social Security benefits. Advisor status is determined by the issuing organization.

Designees must complete the NSSA® administered course and pass an online proctored exam. To maintain this designation, designees must complete 8 hours of continuing education credits and pay a membership fee every two years.

Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA)

The QKA demonstrates expertise in the duties of a retirement plan administrator and knowledge and skills required to implement and administer defined contribution retirement plans.

Candidates who complete the RPF certificate or demonstrate three years of experience in the retirement field may apply.

To earn the designation designees must pass a proctored exam.

Qualified 401(k) Consultant (QKC)

The QKC designation recognizes understanding of 401(k) plan design. The credential complements the QKA and prepares one to serve in a consultative capacity.

Candidates must have earned the QKA, or otherwise meet the QKA requirements.

Designees must pass the DC Advanced Compliance and Administration exam.

Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA)

The QPA recognizes professionals who are qualified to perform the technical and administrative functions of qualified plan administration.

Candidates must have a minimum of three years’ experience in the retirement plan industry or complete the Retirement Plan Fundamentals certificate program.

To earn the QPA credential, designees must successfully complete a series of four exams.

Designees must complete 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two hours of ethics, every two years and renew their ASPPA Membership annually.

401(k) Rollover Specialist ((k)RS™)

The (k)RS™ is sponsored by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and the American Retirement Association. This designation signifies that an individual has met the initial and ongoing requirements of the professional designation, which focuses on the regulatory requirements for recommending rollovers to and from retirement accounts.

Designees must successfully pass a certifying examination. Designees must also complete 10 hours of continuing education credits annually to maintain the designation.