APA Designation Program

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APA DESIGNATION PROGRAM

APA DESIGNATION BENEFITS
As an APA student working toward a designation, you will gain comprehensive insight into the knowledge and skills needed to successfully perform daily administrative tasks, including: determining eligibility; allocating contributions; fulfilling reporting and disclosure requirements; processing distributions; performing compliance testing; correcting errors and much more.

Potential APAs include:

• pension administrators
• retirement relationship managers
• ERISA compliance specialists

EARNING THE APA DESIGNATION

• Complete four APA-self study courses and examinations
• Pass the examinations for APA Courses 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Courses 1 and 3 are open book)
• Maintain the designation by completing 15 hours of CE and current NIPA membership (annually)

Course 1: Fundamentals of Qualified Plan Administration
Course 2: 401(k) Plan Administration
Course 3: Distributions
Course 4: Selected Topics in Retirement Plans

APA Designation Timetable
The APA designation must be earned within three years from the successful completion of your first exam. Exams passed more than three years prior to the successful completion of your last exam will expire and must be retaken.

Exam Retake Policy
Exams passed more than three years prior to the successful completion of your last exam must be retaken. Any student who registers for an exam, and did not take it, or fails, may re-take the exam for a fee of $150. If a student registers for a testing window and decides to defer their exam to the next testing window, they can register as a deferral student for a fee of $150. This fee only applies for two testing windows from the date of the first attempt.

Exam Windows and Deadlines

Preparation Materials & Examinations
You do not need to be a NIPA member to sit for an APA examination. Student memberships are available to persons currently pursuing their APA designations. You may join NIPA as a Student Member when enrolling in an examination online or by faxing in the PDF enrollment form.

The APA examinations may be taken in any order, although it is recommended they be taken in sequence. To properly prepare for each of the APA examinations, students will need a 2010 study guide and the text materials cited in the study guide. All exam materials may be ordered when enrolling online or by faxing in the PDF enrollment form. Exam materials are not available without enrollment in an examination.

Each exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions relating to material covered in the appropriate text and study guide. A student earning a grade of 70% or more is assured of passing.

Because of the ever changing laws and rules, study guides and most text materials are updated annually. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for their examination with current study materials. Using outdated study materials will not adequately prepare candidates. Study materials may not be reproduced without the written consent of NIPA.

ERPA and the APA/APR
For students who obtain the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation, NIPA will automatically grant the APR designation upon completion of the APR designation requirements. Additionally, ERPA designees will receive credit for APA Courses 1 and 3, but will have to complete Courses 2, 3 and 4 to earn the APA designation.

Information and FAQ
Click here to view additional examination information and to learn more about the APA Designation.
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding our APA/APR Designation Program.

Group Tuition Program
TPA Business Owners- enroll your team and save! Learn more about our Group Tuition Program.

Click here to download the Registration form and enroll online in the exams today.