Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC)
View QPFC Video
Credential Overview
Education Requirements
PFC-1 Live Course Info new!
Additional Requirements
QPFC Summary
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) Waivers
Apply for Credential
Credential Continuing Education Requirements
QPFC Informational Video
→ view press release of asppa/cffp pfc live course partnership
Credential Overview
QPFC is the professional credential for financial professionals who sell, advise, market or support qualified retirement plans. The QPFC program provides an understanding of general retirement planning concepts, terminology, distinctive features of qualified plans and the role of retirement plan professionals. QPFC is not an entry-level credential. A candidate will be expected to demonstrate a general proficiency of plan administration, compliance, investment, fiduciary, and ethics issues.
Education Requirements
Earning ASPPA’s QPFC credential requires successful completion of the following examinations:
PFC Live Course Instruction
The College for Financial Planning and ASPPA have partnered to bring live course instruction for candidates wishing to take the PFC exams. Through this partnership, CFFP is offering Plan Financial Consulting as two live instructor-led ASPPA courses (PFC-1 and PFC-2) for students. These courses will prepare students to sit for the respective QPFC exams. As an added benefit, all CRPS designees will automatically receive credit for the first two ASPPA QPFC required exams—Retirement Plan Fundamentals 1 and 2, the other exams needed to obtain the QPFC credential. Visit our PFC Live Course page at www.asppa.org/cffp for more information.
Additional Requirements
In addition to passing the required examination series, a candidate must meet one of the following requirements:
- Series 6, 7 or 65 license issued by the FINRA (formerly NASD) and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or
- State-life or annuity insurance license and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or
- Investment Advisor Representative or Registered Investment Advisor credential and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or
- Two letters of reference demonstrating at least three years of investment-related experience in connection with retirement plans.
QPFC Summary
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Average Cost to Obtain: $1600 |
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Experience: Average of 2-3 years |
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Hours of Study Time: 80-200 hours |
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) Waivers
The College for Financial Planning Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designees will be given credit for ASPPA's RPF-1 and RPF-2 examinations for the purposes of obtaining ASPPA's Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential.
Apply for Credential
Applying for ASPPA credentialed membership requires submission of the appropriate form and two letters of recommendation reference that verifies the necessary work experience requirement.
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.
QPFC Informational Video
The official launch of QPFC took place at the 2006 ASPPA 401(k) SUMMIT in Orlando, Florida. You can view the short QPFC video that highlights the reasons why there is such a positive buzz about this ASPPA credential for the sales and investment professional. View the QPFC Video!