ASPPA credentials are available to all professionals in the retirement plan industry. Focusing on specialization, ASPPA offers credentials designed for professionals in the financial (QPFC), tax-exempt & governmental (TGPC), administrative (QKA and QPA), consulting (CPC), actuarial (MSPA, FSPA), and associated (APM) areas of our industry. While no specific educational background is required to obtain an ASPPA credential, to qualify for a credential, a series of examinations and/or educational modules must be successfully completed and other requirements as identified must be met.

ASPPAs credentials are outlined below:

• The Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) program focuses primarily on the aspects of retirement planning, administration and regulatory requirements that consultants who provide plan design, sales support or financial consulting need to know.
• The Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC) encompasses issues affecting the administration, sales and marketing aspects of 403(b), 457(b) and other plans maintained by tax-exempt and governmental entities.
• The Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) focuses on 401(k) plan recordkeeping, nondiscrimination testing and administrative aspects that 401(k) administrators need to know.
• The Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) program encompasses technical administration, compliance and reporting functions for all types of qualified plans.
• The Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) program covers all qualified plan aspect in great depth to provide the detailed knowledge that a plan consultant would utilize in areas of plan design, administration and in fulfilling departmental leadership roles for compliance, relationship management, plan documents and operations.
• The Member, Society of Pension Actuaries (MSPA) program was created for individuals providing defined benefit or actuarial consulting who are currently Enrolled Actuaries in good standing.
• The Fellow, Society of Pension Actuaries (FSPA) program was designed for MSPAs who wish to enhance their qualified plan analytical and consulting skills.
• The Associated Professional Member (APM) credential is designed for retirement plan professionals who hold qualifying degrees or credentials in law, accounting, actuarial science, financial science, insurance or related disciplines who meet an experience requirement.

For an overview of the coursework and examinations required for each credential, please click here.