FPAC Recertification Reporting Guidelines

The information here within is effective May 1, 2019 and supersedes all previous versions.

Report Credits     Earn Credits

Guidelines Index

• Recertification Cycle
• Reporting Year
• Reporting Credits
• Calculating Credits
• Documentation of Attendance
• Request a General Extension
• Recertification Fees
• Revocation and Reinstatement
• Audit
• Qualifying Recertification Activities
• Recertification Program Categories
• Retired Status
• Inactive Status and Reactivation
• Certificate Reprint

Forms*

• Recertification Reporting Form
  Use to submit earned continuing education credits and recertification reporting fee to renew the FPAC credential.
• Extension Form
  Use to request a 6 month extension to earn outstanding credits after the June 30 earning deadline and to report credits earned during the extension period.
• Reinstatement Appeal Form
  For individuals who have been revoked and are seeking to reinstatement their FPAC credential.
• Retired Status Application
  For individuals who are retired from full-time finance employment.
• Inactive Status Application
  Use to apply for temporary suspension of recertification requirements due to extenuating circumstances. Eligibility requirements are outlined in the section, Inactive Status and Reactivation, below.
• Inactive Status Reactivation Form
  Use to reactivate the FPAC credential previously approved for inactive status. Requirements for reactivation are outlined below in the section, Inactive Status and Reactivation, below.
• Certificate Reprint
  Use to request a replacement or additional copy of your certificate.

*Recertification forms for the new FPAC credential will be posted as they are made available.

Recertification Cycle

The Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional® (FPAC) credential is valid for three years. The expiration date is printed on your certificate and is on the summary page of the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center. 

For ease in record keeping, all three-year recertification cycles begin July 1 of the examination year and ends June 30 of the third year.

Example:

• If the exam was taken on any date within the February/March 2015 testing window (2015A) the first recertification cycle is July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
• If the exam was taken on any date within the August/September 2015 testing window (2015B) the first recertification cycle is also July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

In order to maintain your credential, you must earn a total of 45 recertification credits within a three-year recertification cycle.

• You may earn 45 recertification credits at any time during your three-year recertification cycle. You have the option to earn all your credits in one year or during the course of the three-year cycle.
• Additional credits earned beyond the required 45 credits cannot be "rolled over" to the next reporting cycle.

Reporting Year

The reporting year is the actual year that you are required to submit the 45 credits earned over the three-year recertification cycle and the recertification reporting fee. All credits must be earned by June 30 of your reporting year. The standard deadline to report credits is August 15 and the late deadline to report credits is October 15.

Example: 2018 reporting year includes credits earned from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

Reporting Credits

AFP will send reminder notifications via e-mail. Non-receipt of a recertification reminder does not waive the requirement to recertify and will not serve as an appeal to revocation. Please notify AFP if your e-mail or other contact information changes.

Recertification credits should be reported based on the following:

• Only qualified educational activities in approved topics should be reported.
• An activity should be listed exactly as the title appears on the printed materials for the event.
• Do not forward supporting documentation of attendance or participation to AFP when filing your recertification credits

Certificants have two options for reporting credits earned. The first and preferred option is the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center credit tracking tool (see below for more information regarding the online submission of credits). Once you have earned and logged all 45 credits, the tool will prompt you to pay your recertification fee online using a credit card. That is the only accepted payment method for online recertification. Please do not send checks or wires for online recertification.

Submitting Recertification Credits Online

AFP offers a convenient way to track and submit recertification credits with the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center.

This tool can be accessed only by certificants whose Certified Corporate FP&A Professional (FPAC) credential is in good standing.

Why use it?

• It's an easy way to keep track of recertification credits needed to maintain the FPAC credential.
• It's available to view, update, and print 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• It automatically calculates your eligible recertification credits and remaining credits needed to recertify.
• It creates a permanent record of all your continuing education and professional development activities for any purpose (i.e. work requirements, resume writing, reporting continuing education for other certifications).
• By submitting your recertification credits and payment online rather than the Recertification Reporting Form, you will receive a $25 discount.

How to use it:

1. When you complete an activity, just log on to the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center to access and update your credits.
2. When you complete listing the 45 required credits, click the prompt “CONGRATULATIONS. YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECERTIFY. CLICK HERE TO RECERTIFY” to submit your Online Recertification Form and recertification fee. Immediately you will receive an email confirming your certification has been renewed for another three years!
3. After submitting the 45 credit hours you will be able to continue adding other continuing education activities. The form will accept all credits earned within the 3 year cycle. The credits above the required 45 will be recorded under the column "Total Credits." After reaching the 45 credit requirement, no additional credit will be added to the "Eligible Credits" column.

The second option is to submit the Recertification Reporting Form. This option must be used when paying by check or wire. The Recertification Reporting Form requires an additional $25 fee. To avoid this fee, pleas utilize the online tracking tool mentioned in the above paragraph to submit your credits.

Please complete the form as indicated and submit it via mail or fax to AFP. You may only submit this form once all 45 recertification credits have been earned. Therefore, do not send in the Recertification Reporting Form multiple times with less than 45 recertification credits reported. The only exception to this rule is for approved extensions.

Calculating Credits

Recertification credits are calculated based on the following guidelines.

• You may earn any number of credits per year, earn all your credits in one year, or over the course of three years.
• Some continuing education categories have a maximum number of allowable credits per recertification cycle.
• A program must be at least 25 minutes to qualify for credit.
• One (1) recertification credit is equivalent to 50 minutes (including question and answer sessions) of instruction in an eligible topic area.
  • Credits are to be reported in whole numbers and are never rounded up.

As an example, a seminar runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and includes a one hour lunch and two fifteen minute breaks. There are 390 minutes of instruction (480 (8hrs =480 minutes) - 60 (lunch) - 30 (two breaks)). One recertification credit is earned for every 50 minutes of instruction 390 minutes divided by 50 equals 7.8. This seminar earned 7.8 credits.

Certificants evaluate their own recertification activities and determine the appropriate number of recertification credits based on the information outlined above. AFP does not review and approve recertification activities for certificants. Please review the guidelines in its entirety to determine if an activity is eligible.

Documentation of Attendance

It is the responsibility of each FPAC to maintain records documenting recertification activities for up to two years from the end of the recertification reporting cycle in the event they are selected for the random audit. The documentation must contain the following:

• Name of the sponsoring organization (e.g., ABC Conference, XYZ Corporation)
• Title of the activity (e.g. Capital Budgeting, FP&A Roundtable 2014)
• Date of the activity (the date must fall within your three year cycle)
• Length of each educational session attended (minus breaks and meals).
• If the program is advertised as being eligible for FPAC continuing education credits, submit the Attendance Confirmation Form, distributed by the program provider. (NOTE: programs need not be pre-approved by AFP to be eligible for credits).
• Contact information for a sponsor representative who could verify your attendance if you are audited

Request a General Extension

If you are unable to meet the 45 recertification credits requirement by the end of your three-year cycle, but have been working toward meeting the requirement by earning at least one (1) continuing education credit, you may request an extension. The maximum extension granted is six months, June 30 to December 31 of the reporting year. Further extensions will not be granted.

Please treat this policy as a courtesy.

During the extension period

• Your credential will remain current during the period of your extension but you will shorten the length of your next reporting cycle since credits may not be used twice.
• Credits earned during the extension period cannot be used again in the following cycle.
• However, excess credits earned above the 45 required can be applied to the next reporting cycle.

To request an extension:

1. Complete and return the Extension Form by no later than June 30 of the reporting year. Extension requests cannot be submitted using the online recertification resource center.

• Indicate your request for an extension
• List all credits earned to date (at least one (1) continuing education credit must be listed in order for the extension to be granted)

2. Submit the form along with the Extension Request fee ($75 AFP member, $150 non-member).

If paying by credit card, please fax to +1 301-907-2864 or mail to:
Association for Financial Professionals
4520 East West Highway, Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

If paying by check, mail to:
Association for Financial Professionals
4520 East West Highway, Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

If sending a payment via wire transfer:
Bank Name: M&T Bank
Bank Address: 1350 I Street, N.W.,2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20005 USA
Bank Telephone: 800-724-0002
Routing Transit Number: 022000046
Account Number: 42503141
Account Name: ASSOC FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS
AFP Tax ID: 58-1424769

Once a wire payment has been initiated, please send notification to [email protected]. Information required: Value date, amount of payment, payee, and what the payment is for. Please email or fax any accompanying documentation (ex: registration forms, invoices, order forms, etc.) The email address to send accompanying documents is: [email protected] and the fax number is +1 301-907-2864.

Upon approval, the credits reported will be logged in the online recertification reporting center (if you have not already done so) and certificants will be notified that they have until December 31 of the reporting year to earn and report the remaining credits.

Reporting Credits Earned Under Extension Period

All outstanding credits and late recertification fee must be submitted no later than December 31 of the reporting year. There are two ways to finalize renewal of your FPAC credential under an approved extension:

1. Complete the Extension Form again, this time listing all outstanding credits earned during the extension period. Submit the form and extension credit reporting fee ($160 AFP member / $275 non-member).

2. Log all outstanding credits earned during the extension period and submit the extension credit reporting fee using the Online Recertification Resource Center. Once a total of 45 credits are recorded in the "Eligible Credits" column, the prompt, "CONGRATULATIONS. YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECERTIFY. CLICK HERE TO RECERTIFY" will appear on your certification record homepage. Click this link to submit your credits and recertification fee online. You will receive an email confirming your certification has been renewed for another cycle!

Recertification Fees*

*Fees are subject to change

Online Recertification Reporting Fees (USD)

Paper Form Recertification Reporting Fees (USD)

*To save $25 please report and submit all credits online using the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center

 Recertification Extension Fees (USD)

Recertification Fee Waiver

If you are unemployed you may qualify for a waiver of the Recertification Reporting Fee. The Certification Committee will review each request case by case and will make the final decision on eligibility.

To qualify you must:

• Be prepared to recertify by having completed all 45 continuing education credits
• Provide documentation verifying unemployment status and period of unemployment
• Submit a Recertification Fee Waiver Request Form

A fee waiver does not exempt the certificant from the mandatory requirement to participate in the random audit conducted by AFP at the end of the recertification cycle.

Contact the Certification Department with any questions and to request a form:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1-301-907-2862

Revocation and Reinstatement

If you have not reported the required 45 continuing education credits to renew your FPAC credential by the posted deadlines, nor requested and qualified for an extension, your certification will be revoked and you will no longer be authorized to use the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional (FPAC) mark professionally. An official notice of revocation will be sent by certified mail.

Should you wish to reinstate the credential after revocation, you are required to submit a formal appeal to the AFP Certification Committee within two years from revocation. For your appeal to be considered, you must provide the following:

• A letter or statement outlining the reason(s) for the lapse in reporting continuing education (CE) credits required for renewal.
• A non-refundable reinstatement appeal fee ($250 AFP member, $300 non-member)
• A non-refundable Late Reporting Fee ($160 AFP member, $275 non-member)
• A completed Reinstatement Form listing the outstanding 45 continuing education credits earned since your last renewal. All credits must be completed prior to submission of the appeal.
• Supporting documentation for each CE activity being reported. Examples of acceptable supporting documentation f can be found under the program category descriptions located on this page.

The appeal must be submitted within two years of the cycle end date for which credits were not reported.

For example, a former certificant whose credential was revoked for failure to report credits for the July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2018 cycle has until June 30, 2020 to submit an appeal. If an appeal is not received by the deadline the opportunity to reinstate will be forfeited. To regain the credential after the appeal submission deadline a former certificant must submit a new enrollment application, remit the appropriate exam fees, retake and pass both parts of the examination again.

RECERTIFICATION CYCLE AFTER REINSTATEMENT

• If your FPAC credential is reactivated through the appeal process your recertification cycle will begin where your last cycle ended.

  Example:

  - Delinquent 3-Year Cycle – July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018.
  - Reinstatement appeal submitted and approved by June 30, 2020.
  - Recertification cycle will be – July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021.
  - Deadline to earn credits – June 30, 2021. Report credits by August 15, 2021 and October 15, 2021.

• If you regain the designation by retaking the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional exams the first recertification cycle will begin July 1 of the year of the testing window in which the exam was taken.

  Example:

  - If the exam is taken on any date within the February/March 2015 testing window (2015A) the first recertification cycle is July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
  - If the exam is taken on any date within the August/September 2015 testing window (2015B) the first recertification cycle is also July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

Audit

AFP conducts an audit of 5-10% of FPACs selected at random who have recertified in the previous three years. Audits are a standard practice across the certification industry. The purpose of recertification audits is to ensure that certificants have earned the credits reported during their recertification cycle and to uphold the integrity of the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional credential.

If you are selected for the audit, you are required to participate, and expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of the audit. If you cannot supply documentation that confirms completion of the reported continuing education activities, you will be considered delinquent and your credential may be revoked by the Certification Committee.

Random selection does not guarantee a certificant will not be audited again. If this should occur the certificant is required to comply with the audit requirements.

Qualifying Recertification Activities

Continuing education activities on topics related to the knowledge, skills and abilities found in the current Certified Corporate FP&A Professional test specifications are eligible for recertification credits.

Activities need NOT be sponsored by or pre-approved for credits by AFP to qualify. AFP does not review and pre-approve recertification activities for individual certificants. Please review these guidelines to determine eligibility of an activity.

The following are examples of educational sessions that DO NOT qualify for recertification credits:

• Sessions specific to the benefits and features of a company's finance related products and/or services
• Fundamental and introductory level courses in corporate financial planning & analysis.
• Personal career development sessions not specific to management of corporate finance or FP&A (e.g., "How to write a good cover letter", networking sessions)
• Personal finance (e.g. financial planning, insurance, tax preparation, estate planning)
• Topics related to corporate banking, bank relationship management and payments systems
• Marketing, business development, sales/customer service skills sessions
• Licenses and certifications NOT related to corporate finance or accounting (e.g. Real Estate license)
• Certified Corporate FP&A Professional Exam preparation
• Earning the FPAC credential

ELIGIBLE CONTINUING EDUCATION CATEGORIES

A. AFP Financial Planning & Analysis Learning System^TM

Maximum Credits Accepted: 18
The Learning System edition used to prepare for the Certified Corporate FP&A Professional exam does not qualify for credit. Credits are granted once per recertification cycle and/or edition of the course.
Accepted Documentation: Certificate of Completion

B. AFP Publications Quizzes

Maximum Credits Accepted: 36

• Quizzes of twenty (20) questions with a pass rate of 85% based on the articles published in AFP Exchange magazine
• Quizzes of ten (10) questions with a pass rate of 80% based on the articles published in AFP's Financial Planning & Analysis e-newsletters.

View Quizzes

Accepted Documentation:

E-mail/letter from AFP indicating successful completion of quizzes deemed eligible for FPAC credits.

C. College/University Courses

Maximum Credits Accepted: 20
Successful completion of a graduate or post-graduate program (MBA/Ph.D.) or course at an accredited college/university. This includes live/in-person instructor-led classes, internet/distance learning, CD-ROM or other self study programs that result in accredited college or university credit toward a graduate degree. Credits are earned at the rate of four (4) credits per semester hour.

For example, a three-credit course would earn 12 FPAC recertification credits. Undergraduate/introductory courses/programs do not qualify for credits. If the total calculated credits exceed the maximum allowed for this category only 20 credits can be claimed. Eligible credits are calculated using the method described in the section "Calculating Credits" (1 credit per 50 minutes of educational time).
Accepted Documentation: Copy of course transcript indicating a passing grade.

NOTE: Live professional development courses/programs leading to a certificate and not to a graduate degree (Masters/Ph.D.) are to be reported under the CE Category (D), Conferences, Seminars, Workshops & Training sessions.

D. Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, and Training Sessions

Maximum Credits Accepted: 45
Attendance at live events (not recorded). Program meetings of AFP Regional Associations are included in this category.

NOTE: This category includes certificate finance/accounting related professional development courses completed through a college/university that do not lead to a graduate degree. Documentation must reference the course duration and date, topics covered and college/university name. Eligible credits are calculated using the method described in the section "Calculating Credits" (1 credit per 50 minutes of educational time).

Accepted Documentation: Certificate of Completion and program agenda referencing the titles, descriptions, and timing of eligible sessions attended.

E. Independent Study

Maximum Credits Accepted: 45
Print, audio, video and online formats or any combination. The activity must include a method of assessment of the completed work. The number of credits awarded will be based on the average completion time determined by the sponsoring organization.

A maximum of five (5) credits can be earned per book read.

NOTE: Self-directed exam preparation for a new license or certification must have an assessment. An exam prep course led by an instructor either online or in-class is eligible for credits and should be reported under the "Other Conferences, Seminars, Workshops and Training Sessions" category.  Eligible credits are calculated using the method described in the section "Calculating Credits" (1 credit per 50 minutes of educational time).

Accepted Documentation: A copy of satisfactory assessment result, written project, book review/report or certificate of activity completion.

F. Licenses and Certifications

Maximum Credits Accepted: 12
Earned licenses and certifications in professional areas related to treasury, finance, or accounting.

NOTE: For programs requiring successful completion of multi-level exams in order to earn a new license or certification, FPAC recertification credits can be claimed only after all levels are successfully completed and the license or certification is awarded.

Accepted Documentation: A copy of the license or certificate or award letter from the license/certification administration referencing the date earned.

G. Published Articles, Books and/or Blogs

Maximum Credits Accepted: 15
Credits can be claimed for published books or articles you have written. Two credits are awarded for each published page. Credits can be claimed for professional blogs you have posted on a website. One credit is awarded for a 1200 word blog post.

NOTE: The blog should be related to finance, accounting, economics, or cover information in the Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional test specifications. If your blog post does not meet the minimum word count, you can combine two blog posts for credit.

Accepted Documentation: Articles: a copy of the publication cover AND the index indicating length of article (number of pages). Book: a copy of the title page AND the verso with the publication date. Blog: a copy of the web page, date posted, AND web page URL.

H. Teleconferences/Webinars

Maximum Credits Accepted: 45

• A live synchronous presentation with web-based delivery of PowerPoint slides or other participant materials.
• A pre-recorded/archived presentation with an assessment administered by the program provider.
• Assessment scores must be 80% or higher.

Accepted Documentation: Copy of Registration Confirmation or Certificate of Completion.

View Training

I. Speakers/Presenters & Academic Lecturers

Maximum Credits Accepted: 15
Service as a lecturer, presenter or teacher. Speakers receive two credits for every 50-minutes of presentation time. You may only claim credits once for a presentation, lecture or course given multiple times during a recertification period. Subject matter must relate to the topics in the current Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional test specifications. FPAC informational sessions presented to colleagues or your local AFP regional association may also be claimed for credits. Credits are not earned for presentations given as part of your everyday job responsibilities.

Accepted Documentation: Copy of program agenda indicating the (1) date, (2) presentation title, (3) description of presentation, and (4) your name as the presenter.
For courses taught at colleges/universities, provide a copy of the syllabus course title and description from the course catalogue for the corresponding semester.

J. Thesis/ Dissertation

Maximum Credits Accepted: 15
Final delivery of a thesis or dissertation at an accredited college or university.
Accepted Documentation: Copy of the title page, description, AND transcript listing successful completion of the project.

K. Volunteer Service/Leadership

Maximum Credits Accepted: 12
Holding executive officer or Board position or serving on a Committee or Task Force. Listed below are some examples of positions that qualify and the number of credits they earn per year. Certificants can submit more than one position for recertification. Total credits not to exceed maximum allowed.

Accepted Documentation: A copy of the program or publication listing your name OR a signed letter from an association officer or committee chair.

L. Professional Skills

Maximum Credits Accepted: 9
Education sessions do not have to be specifically focused on finance/FP&A.  Examples of acceptable Professional Skills topics include the ability to communicate effectively, creative thinking and problem solviing, presentations and storytelling, team work/collaboration and leadership
Accepted Documentation: Copy of registration confirmation or certificate of completion.

M. Mentor/Knowledge Share

Maximum Credits Accepted: 7
Share your knowledge of finance/FP&A; mentor colleagues in best practices, tools and techniques and methodologies of the profession, discuss an ongoing project to lend mentoring support.  A minimum of five hours of mentoring is required per one recertification credit.  A mentor may have mentoring relationships with one or several colleagues or students.  Coaching related to how to prepare for or pass the FPAC exam does not qualify for credit.

Accepted Documentation: Document how mentoring has improved your capabilities and the capabilities of others and submit names and contact information of mentees.

N. Association or Professional Society Membership

Maximum Credits Accepted: 12
Activity Description: Individual membership in a national, international or regional professional FP&A, finance or accounting-related association.

Accepted Documentation: A copy of your membership ID card, a receipt for membership or a letter from the association.

O. On-the-Job Experience

Maximum Credits Accepted: 20
Recertification credit can be earned for a first-time work experience if the activity adds to the understanding of the current Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional test specifications. In other words, the experience must have a "value-added" feature in the final work product that requires certificants to learn new things.

Examples of on-the-job projects that qualify include:

• Issue a RFP, evaluate responses, select a vendor, implement the product/service for a financial planning or modeling solution.
• Create a new compensation model for a labor force.
• Research, design and implementation of a significantly different, new forecasting model, or the implementation of a rolling forecast system.
• Implementation of a new business acquisition into planning, reporting, forecasting, and other communication.

Projects that are part of your everyday job responsibilities are not eligible for credits.
Accepted Documentation: A written description of the project mapped to the areas of the current Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional test specifications and signed by your supervisor. The description must also specifically describe your contributions to the project.
One credit is earned per 50 minutes of the cumulative time spent researching, designing and implementing the new work product. If the total credits calculated exceed 20 claim the maximum of 20 credits.

All policies, procedures and decisions regarding the Recertification Reporting Guidelines are approved by the Certification Committee. The Certification Committee provides ongoing oversight to the program and periodically reviews and revises the policies to ensure the practical and equitable application of recertification procedures.

RETIRED STATUS

FPAC Retired Status recognizes Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional who have permanently retired from active practice in either the FP&A, finance, or accounting field(s) and who wish to apply for Retired Status. Retired Status cannot be used to retain the certifications due to hardship, unemployment, sabbatical, or illness.

Requirements for Retired Status

• Applicants must have successfully completed at least one three-year certification cycle and must be a certificate holder in good standing.

• Applicants who are within six (6) months of their cycle end date must first recertify before applying for retired status.

  Once accepted into Retired status, the certificate holder may no longer use the "Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional", "FPAC Professional" or "FPAC" designations. Instead, "Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (Retired)", "FPAC Professional (Retired)" or "FPAC (Retired)" designations are to be used in your professional correspondences.

Benefits of Retired Status

• Certificant will maintain continued use of the designation for the duration retired status is held.
• The requirement to submit continuing education credits and recertification fees are suspended.
• The certification will not lapse and certificant will retain a "good standing" record.
• A fee is not required to apply for retired status.
• A reactivation fee is not required.

Reactivation Under Retired Status

• The credential can be re-activated if the certificant returns to a full or part-time FP&A, finance or accounting- related position.
• The certificant must submit to the AFP Certification Committee, a letter requesting reinstatement, 45 continuing education credits in the areas of FP&A, finance or accounting, proof of attendance, the Recertification Reporting Form and applicable recertification fee.
• Upon approval the certificant's record will be re-activated to begin the recertification cycle on July 1 of the year in which the request is confirmed and a new certificate will be issued.

INACTIVE STATUS

FPAC Inactive Status recognizes certificants who are unable to meet the recertification requirements due to an unusual and/or extenuating circumstance.

• During the period of Inactive Status, the designations cannot be used until it has been successfully reactivated.
• A certificant may hold Inactive status for no more than five years (60 months) from the date of confirmed approval. During this period the certification will not lapse and the requirement to submit recertification credits and the recertification fee will be suspended.
• The certificant's certification record will remain in good standing.
• Further extensions beyond the 5 year period will not be granted. If the credential is not reactivated within 5 years the credential will be revoked and the certificant will be required to apply for reinstatement under the reinstatement requirements in effect.

Eligibility for Inactive Status

• To be eligible for Inactive Status, the applicant must be a certificate holder in good standing.
• Application for inactive status must be submitted no later than March 1 of the year the applicant is due to recertify.

For example, a certificant whose cycle ends June 30, 2015 must apply for Inactive status no later than March 1, 2015. After March 1, the certificant must first successfully recertify before applying for Inactive Status.

Reactivation Requirements

To reactivate the FPAC credential, a certificant holding inactive status is required to submit the following:

Recertification Cycle Dates After Reactivation

After reactivation your first recertification cycle will begin July 1 of the year in which your credential becomes active.

For example: reactivation occurs January 1 – December 31, of 2015, the new 3 year recertification cycle will be July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. You would begin accruing credits for the new cycle starting July 1, 2015.

Certificate Reprint

Is your certificate lost or damaged? Have you recently had a name change? If so, you can request a new certificate. Submit a completed Certificate Reprint form and $15 USD fee (taxes may apply), either by fax or mail. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Click here to download the form.

Contact the Certification department with any questions
Phone: +1 301-907-2862
Fax: +1 301-907-2864

More Information

• Forms
• Recertification Cycle
• Reporting Credits
• Calculating Credits & Documenting Attendance
• Requesting a General Extension
• Recertification Fees
• Revocation & Reinstatement
• Qualifying Recertification Activities
• Retired & Inactive Status
• Certification Audit