APR Designation Program
APR DESIGNATION PROGRAM
NIPA provides practical information and effective, relevant designation programs necessary to achieve career advancement and improve day-to-day performance. Through NIPA's Accredited Pension Representative (APR) program, you will earn a prestigious designation that carries with it a sense of personal accomplishment and demonstrates your professional competency.
APR DESIGNATION BENEFITS
As an APR student, you will experience a general survey of all types of retirement plans, and engaged in advanced study of retirement plan topics ranging from fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transactions to minimum coverage testing and requirement plan distributions.
Potential APRs include:
- retirement plan personnel
- financial consultants/planners
- Registered Investment Advisors
EARNING THE APR DESIGNATION
- Complete two APR self-study courses and examinations
- Pass the examinations for APR Courses 1 and 2 (Course 1 is open book), or have an ERPA designation or insurance license
- Must have an NASD Series 6, 7, 65, 66 or 24 license
- Maintain the designation by completing 10 hours of CE and current NIPA membership (annually)
Course 1: The Fundamentals of Qualified Plan Administration
Course 2: Advanced Topics in Retirement Plans
APR Designation Timetable
The APA and APR designations must be earned within three years prior to 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. This fee only applies for two testing windwos from the date of the first attempt.
Exam Windows and Deadlines
| Examination Testing Window |
Registration Deadline |
| May 15 - June 15 |
April 30 |
| August 1 - August 31 |
July 15 |
| November 1 - November 30 |
October 15 |
Preparation Materials & Examinations
You do not need to be a NIPA member to sit for an APR examination. Student memberships are available to persons currently pursuing their APR designations. You may join NIPA as a Student Member when enrolling in an examination online or by faxing in the PDF enrollment form.
The APR examinations may be taken in any order, although it is recommended they be taken in sequence. To properly prepare for each of the 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/FAQs
Click here to view additional examination information and to learn more about the APR 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.
Download the Registration form and enroll in the exams today.
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