Certified Retirement Plan Professional® (CRPP®)

Overview

The Certified Retirement Plan Professional® (CRPP®) certification addresses the needs and requirements of professionals working in Retirement Plan Administration in both public and private sectors. This certification is based on an established set of industry-wide competencies covering concepts, rules, regulations, laws, and standard operating procedures essential for proficiency in the retirement plan services field.

The CRPP® designation is a recognized credential in the financial services industry, demonstrating an individual's expertise in retirement plan operations and management. Obtaining this designation requires completion of the three-level Retirement Plan Services School curriculum and passing the CRPP® exam.

Each course in the curriculum emphasizes the responsibilities involved with fiduciary administration and client services of retirement plans and employee benefits. The Retirement Plan Services curriculum is consistent in complexity and designed to build in content from one course to the next, leading towards the CRPP® certification.

Who Should Become a CRPP®?

Retirement Plan Associates/Specialists
Are you striving to navigate the complexities of retirement plan administration and compliance? The CRPP® designation is your key to mastering the nuances of retirement plan operations. Envision confidently managing plan documentation, efficiently processing contributions and distributions, and expertly handling participant inquiries. With the CRPP® credential, you'll approach Department of Labor and IRS audits with confidence, equipped with the knowledge to address even the most challenging regulatory scenarios.

Relationship Managers/Advisors
Are you looking to boost your skills in giving top-notch retirement plan advice? The CRPP® designation can help you become an expert in retirement plan services. Imagine sitting down with clients, confidently explaining complex retirement plan options, quickly addressing their concerns, and smoothly navigating regulatory requirements. The CRPP® advantage means you'll walk into client meetings with confidence, ready to tackle even the most challenging plan scenarios and compliance questions.

Compensation and Benefits Professionals
Are you finding it challenging to design and manage effective retirement plans as part of your benefits packages? The CRPP® designation can help you master the complexities of retirement plan operations and strategy. Visualize yourself optimizing retirement benefits, striking the perfect balance between cost control and attractive offerings for employees. You'll approach retirement plan audits and strategic benefits discussions with confidence, ensuring your organization's retirement plans are both compliant and competitive.

Curriculum Outline

The Retirement Plan Services program consists of three courses, each building upon the knowledge gained in the previous one. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills across the diverse areas of retirement plan administration and management.

Retirement Plan Services I: This course provides a foundation in retirement plan services, covering topics such as industry overview, relevant federal and state laws, ERISA regulations, and basic plan administration procedures.

Retirement Plan Services II: In this course, participants delve deeper into the principles of retirement plan management. It covers advanced topics in plan design, compliance testing, fiduciary responsibilities, and participant education strategies.

Retirement Plan Services III: The final course focuses on complex scenarios in retirement plan administration, regulatory updates, and advanced compliance strategies. Successful completion of this course prepares participants to take the CRPP® designation exam.

Each course in this series is designed to build upon the knowledge gained in the previous course, allowing professionals to progressively deepen their expertise in retirement plan services.

Exam

The Cannon CRPP® certification requires designation candidates to successfully pass the certification examination as one of the requirements to earn the designation. The CRPP® certification exam allows the CRPP® Board of Standards to determine if a candidate possesses the minimum requisite knowledge expected of a certified
professional in the domain of Retirement Plan Administration.

Prerequisites to sit for the CRPP® Certification Exam

The CRPP® Board of Standards has eligibility requirements which must be met before a candidate may earn the Cannon Certified Retirement Plan Professional® designation. The exam application process ensures that candidates have met these requirements,
which are:

• Three years of industry experience and a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the CRPP® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the CRPP® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the CRPP® exam fee

OR

• Five years of industry experience
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the CRPP® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the CRPP® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the CRPP® exam fee

CRPP® Exam Responsibility and Validity

As the issuing authority of the CRPP® certification, the Board of Standards is charged with creating exams that are representative of the appropriate knowledge and skills for a credentialed professional in the domain of Retirement Plan Administration. Cannon uses its extensive experience in training, supporting and preparing professionals in the financial services industry to establish the evaluation model and requisite examination questions that ensure candidates have the necessary knowledge competencies for an CRPP®.

Our faculty and exam writer’s deep and tenured experience in the areas of training and supporting professionals, learning theory and standardized test construction ensures exam questions are appropriate, match the certification competency sets and meet ISO
quality standards of fairness and accessibility in compliance with ADA section 19.