ASPPA has designed certificate programs to meet the needs of retirement plan professionals. Successful completion of a certificate program also counts toward the requirements for many of ASPPA’s credentialed memberships. There are no specific education or background requirements for individuals seeking certifications. Anyone interested in retirement plan consulting, administration, or employee benefits may apply.

ASPPA offers the following certificates:

Basic Education:

• Retirement Plan Fundamentals Certificate is earned after successful completion of the Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF-1 and RPF-2) exams. The first step on the path to a professional education in retirement plan administration is ASPPA’s Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) certificate. Constantly updated by practitioners working in the industry, the RPF course curriculum provides a perfect introduction to the issues, terminology, and requirements of retirement plan administration. There’s no better way to demonstrate to employers or clients your mastery of the rudiments of retirement plan administration, design and operation. The curriculum is designed to give the candidate a big picture view of the lifecycle of a retirement plan from its establishment, annual administration to closing down a plan.
• Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Administration Certificate is earned after successful completion of the Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Administration (TGPC-1) exam. The TGPC-1 exam also serves as a gateway to the TGPC credential, ASPPA’s credential for retirement plan professionals specializing in the 403(b) and/or 457 marketplace as well as other plans maintained by tax-exempt and governmental entities.

All certificate program exams are administered online in open-book, multiple choice format. Upon successful completion of these exams, ASPPA will automatically issue the appropriate certificate.