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APA CURRICULUM

The Accredited Pension Administrator (APA) designation is earned by the successful completion of four study courses and examinations covering all aspects of plan administration. The APA is maintained by annually completing 15 hours of continuing education and current NIPA membership. Potential APAs include pension administrators, retirement relationship managers, and ERISA Compliance specialists.

Course 1: Overview of the Retirement Field
Course 2: 401(k) Plan Administration
Course 3: Distributions
Course 4: Selected Topics in Retirement Plans

APA Designation Benefits
As an APA student working toward 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

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

APA Designation Timetable
The APA designations 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 must be re-taken. Any student who registers for an exam, and did not take it, or fails, may re-take the exam for a fee of $150. This fee only applies for two exam cycles from the date of the first attempt. APA Candidates must pass the examinations for courses 1, 2, 3, and 4. Course outlines are subject to change.

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 2009 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.

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.