• About CPFA®
  • Certification
  • Pricing
  • FAQs
  • CPFA® Credential Holders
NAPA Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)NAPA Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)
  • About CPFA®
  • Certification
  • Pricing
  • FAQs
  • CPFA® Credential Holders

Lots of advisors claim to be retirement plan experts Now you can prove it! Get Started Become a Certified Plan
Fiduciary Advisor with NAPA's
CPFA Credential
Designed for today's busy schedules
with tomorrow's challenges in mind.
From the nation's leading source of retirement education State of the art education approaches Four online, mobile-ready modules Content developed by the nation's leading advisors Register Today

The Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) credential — developed by some of the nation’s leading advisors and retirement plan experts — demonstrates your knowledge, expertise and commitment to working with retirement plans.

Plan advisors who earn their CPFA demonstrate the expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary or help plan fiduciaries manage their roles and responsibilities.

FAQs

How do I obtain the CPFA?
You can obtain the NAPA CPFA by successfully passing the NAPA CPFA Examination, which consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. The exam is proctored, delivered at Prometric testing centers nationwide.

You’ll have three hours to complete the exam, and receive immediate notification of your grade.

How long does it take to acquire the CPFA?
On average, about two months.
Is there any specific experience requirement?
No specific experience level is required, but if you are new to retirement plan sales, you might find it helpful to begin with NAPA’s 401(k) Practice Builder.
What do the CPFA study modules cover?
The CPFA Coursework covers four key areas:

  1. ERISA Fiduciary Roles and Responsibilities
  2. ERISA Fiduciary Oversight
  3. ERISA Plan Investment Management
  4. ERISA Plan Management
How do I prepare for the CPFA Examination?
To study for the examination candidates may purchase online modules. These modules contain:

  • All the content covered in the examination, presented using case studies;
  • Interactive practice activities based on real life situations;
  • Multiple-choice sample questions that mimic the questions found on the examination;
  • Additional resources for continuous learning
When can I register for the exam?
Registration is open and you can take the exam any time.
When can I take the exam at a Prometric Testing Center?
Attention: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our testing center provider, Prometric, has temporarily canceled the scheduling of all exams at their live in-person Testing Centers. This product will be made available for purchase when we receive feedback from our provider that it is safe to resume normal business operations at their various testing center locations throughout the country. While we know this is unfortunate news, we want to ensure the health and safety of our customers involved with this process. Please re-visit the NAPA website periodically for updates regarding this matter.
If I fail the exam, when can I take it again?
You may retake the exam 45 days after initial attempt.
How much does it cost?
CPFA Exam
$345 for NAPA Members
$370 for Non-Members

NAPA’s Broker-Dealer and RIA Firm Partners are eligible for volume discounts on proctored exams. For more information, please contact SAMTeam@usaretirement.org

CPFA Modules
$670 for NAPA Members
$990 for Non-Members

NAPA’s Broker-Dealer and RIA Firm Partner members whose compliance departments have approved CPFA are eligible for complimentary distribution of the CPFA online modules. For more information, please contact SAMTeam@usaretirement.org

NAPA Credentialed Maintenance Membership Dues
$65 with NAPA Firm Partner*
$610 with no NAPA Firm Partner affiliation

Please Note: If you currently hold other designations in other American Retirement Association organizations and add a CPFA to your current designations, your dues will be different than above. Contact Customer Care with questions.

Are there any on-going fees?
If you are not an advisor/employee with a NAPA Firm Partner, you are responsible for the annual NAPA membership fees in order to obtain and maintain your credential ($610 Non-Firm Partner Member price. For pro-rated prices, please contact Customer Care).
What does the CPFA examination cover?

CPFA Course Syllabus

How many Continuing Education (CE) Credits are required to maintain my credential?
Please read the NAPA CE Policy
How many CE credits are awarded for the CPFA?
Upon successfully completing the online course or passing the proctored examination candidates will earn:

Online Course Ten (10) CE credits
Ten (10) ERPA CE credits
7.5 CFP CE Credits
Proctored Examination Ten (10) CE credits
Ten (10) ERPA CE credits
How do I sign up?

Register

How do I apply for my credential?
Once you’ve passed the exam, you will submit your credential application at www.napamember.org
How can I confirm CPFA credential status?

Check your CPFA Status!

Check your CPFA Status!

Become CPFA Certified

Online Modules

Proctored Exam

NAPA Member
$775
$390
Non-NAPA Member
$1,025
$390
Purchase Study Modules
Register for the Exam

In 2011, the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) was formed, quickly becoming the fastest-growing member association. Created by and for retirement plan advisors, membership is also open to other retirement industry professionals who support the interests of plan advisors. While the financial services industry is well represented in Washington by a number of trade associations that weigh in on issues affecting advisors, NAPA is the only advocacy group exclusively focused on the issues that matter to retirement plan advisors. This exclusive focus is what sets NAPA apart. For more information about NAPA, visit NAPA Net.

Copyright © 2023 · National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) · All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use