Certified Pension Consultant (CPC)
Credential Overview
Education Requirements
Experience Requirements
CPC Summary
Transition Rules for Candidates who have meet exam requirements for QPA credential
Transition Rules for Candidates who have who have passed C-3 or C-4 Exams
Apply for Credential
Credential Continuing Education Requirements
Credential Overview
The Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) credential is conferred by ASPPA to benefits professionals working in plan administration, pension actuarial administration, insurance, and financial planning. CPCs work alongside employers to formulate, implement, administer and maintain qualified retirement plans.
Education Requirements
Earning ASPPA's CPC credential requires successful completion of the following exams:
Experience Requirement
Individuals with at least three years of plan consulting experience may apply to the ASPPA board of directors for CPC credentials. Applicants must demonstrate competence in specific areas of pension and related employee benefits consulting through completion of the CPC examination series offered by ASPPA.
CPC Summary
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Average Cost to Obtain: Cost of QPA + $1,200 |
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Experience: Average 5+ years |
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Hours of Study: 200+ hours |
Transition Rules for Candidates Who Meet Exam Requirements for QPA Credential
A candidate who has met the exam requirements for the QPA credential will receive credit for the DOL Topics and Defined Benefit Topics modules since this knowledge was previously tested and will therefore only have to complete four core modules and two of the three elective CPC modules, in addition to the CPC proctored examination.
Transition Rules for Candidates Who Have Passed C-3 or C-4 Examinations
A candidate who has passed the C-3 exam only (not C-4) will receive credit for the DOL Topics, Defined Benefit Topics, Investments, Distributions & Loans and Fiduciary Topics modules. These candidates will need to complete the Related Groups & Business Transactions module, two of the three elective modules and the proctored CPC examination, in addition to the QPA exam requirements to obtain the CPC credential.
A candidate who has passed C-4 exam only (not C-3) will receive credit for the DOL Topics, Defined Benefit Topics, Related Groups & Business Transactions and the two elective modules. These candidates will need to complete the Investments, Distributions & Loans and Fiduciary Topics modules and the proctored CPC examination, in addition to the QPA exam requirements to obtain the CPC credential.
Apply for Credential
Applying for ASPPA credentialed membership requires submission of the appropriate form and a letter of recommendation from each reference that verifies the necessary work experience requirement.
Applications are processed on an ongoing basis. The ASPPA Board of Directors approves new credentials once a month. Applicants are mailed scheduled approval date notices and notified by mail once the applications for credentials are approved.
For more information about ASPPA membership please click here.
Credential Continuing Education Requirements
All credentialed members must acquire 40 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits in a two-year-cycle as well as renew your ASPPA Membership annually to retain credentials. For more information please click here.