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Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant-2 (TGPC-2)
Course Overview 
2012 TGPC-2 Syllabus
Exam Details
Required and Supplementary Reading
Exam Waivers and Grandfathering Rules
Exam & Publication References and Errata
Earn College Credit for ASPPA Examinations
Course Overview
The Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC-2) examination covers issues affecting the sales and marketing aspects of 403(b), 457(b) and other plans maintained by tax-exempt and governmental entities. These topics include but are not limited to contract exchanges and transfers, fiduciary standards, IRAs, investments, religious organization plans and top hat plans.
The TGPC-2 program focuses on technical education for those typically involved in consulting, sales and/or marketing of tax-exempt and governmental plans. Topics covered include: 403(b) Plans, 457 (b) Plans, Fiduciary Standards and Responsibilities, Governmental Plans, Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, Religious Organizations Plans, and Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Please refer to the TGPC-2 syllabus for specific learning objectives, exam topic weightings, etc.
Exam Details
The TGPC-2 examination consists of 65 multiple choice question and candidates have two and half (2 ½) hours to complete it. Exams are given at Prometric Testing Centers during the examination window. Please refer to the Education calendar for dates.
To register, a candidate must have an account with ASPPA, to create an account please click here. Candidates can register online or download the registration form and send via mail or fax to 703.516.9308.
Once registered, eligibility e-mails will be sent to candidates beginning approximately eight weeks prior to the opening of an exam window. The eligibility e-mail has detailed instructions on scheduling your appointment with Prometric. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule an exam. We strongly recommend you schedule an appointment upon receipt of the confirmation letter as testing centers fill up quickly. To find a Prometric Testing Center visit www.prometric.com/asppa.
2012 Exam Fees - The registration fee is a non-refundable.
- To qualify for early registration, registration forms accompanied by the early registration fee of $215 for members and $245 for non-members must reach the ASPPA office no later than March 12 for the spring examinations and July 9 for the fall examinations.
- To qualify for final registration, registration forms accompanied by the final registration fee of $289 for members and $315 for non-members must reach the ASPPA office no later than May 1 for the spring examinations and September 12 for the fall examinations.
For more information visit the Exam Schedule & Fees page.
Estimated hours needed to study - Study time depends greatly on the experience level of the student. The average candidate reports it takes between 50 and 100 hours of study time to successfully complete the program.
Required and Supplementary Reading
The 2012 TGPC-2 required reading is available for purchase from the online bookstore or you can download the publications order form. The required reading is:
- The Source: 403(b) and 457(b) Plans, 3rd Edition by Kristi Cook, JD and Ellie Lowder. Arlington, VA: ASPPA, 2011: $260 list price, and a member discount price of $235 in the ASPPA bookstore.
Additional Required Reading (provided in the TGPC-2 syllabus):
- fyi: Pension Protection Act–Impact on Governmental Plans,Volume 29: Issue 65, September 8, 2006. Buck Consultants, an ACS company.
- Swisher, Pete. Investment Policy Statement. Excerpted and adapted from 401(k) Fiduciary Governance: An Advisor’s Guide, 3rd Edition. Arlington, VA: ASPPA, 2012.
- Swisher, Pete. Understanding Plan Fees. Excerpted and adapted from 401(k) Fiduciary Governance: An Advisor’s Guide, 3rd Edition. Arlington, VA: ASPPA, 2012.
- ASPPA Code of Professional Conduct
Recommended Reading:
Supplementary Study Tools
The study tools below are not required preparation for the TGPC-2 examination. They are offered as additional study aids.
Note: The content in the 2010 and 2011 practice exams is valid as a study tool for the 2012 exam.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to review all of ASPPA’s exam policies and procedures which can be found in the ASPPA Program Catalog or on Candidate Corner.
Exam & Publication References & Errata
For updates to ASPPA’s publications and examinations please click here. Stop by regularly as new updates are posted. It is recommended that the candidate check the errata before preparing for and sitting for an ASPPA examination.
Earn College Credit for ASPPA Examinations
The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for most ASPPA’s examination programs. Candidates may be able to receive college credit for successful completion of most ASPPA examinations (includes current and previous (no longer offered) examinations. For more information such as which exams credit is awarded, how to obtain credit, etc. please click here.