Certified Payroll Professional

Establishing Eligibility

The Certification Board of the APA requires that payroll professionals fulfill ONE of the following criterias before they take the Certified Payroll Professional Examination.

CRITERIA 1:  CPP Application Criteria 1
The payroll professional has been practicing a total of three (3) years out of the five (5) years preceding the date of the examination. The practice of payroll is defined as direct or related involvement in at least one of the following:

• Payroll Production, Payroll Reporting, Payroll Accounting,
  Payroll Systems and Payroll Taxation
• Payroll Administration
• Payroll Education/Consulting

CRITERIA 2: CPP Application Criteria 2

Before a candidate takes the examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1 for at least the last 24 months, and has completed within the last 24 months, ALL of the following courses within ONE of the following two options offered by the APA:

Option 1

• Payroll Practice Essentials (3-day course - live or virtual) and
• Intermediate Payroll Concepts (2-day course- live or virtual) and
• Advanced Payroll Concepts (2-day course) and
• Strategic Payroll Practices (2-day course)

Option 2

• Payroll 101: Foundations of Payroll Certificate Program and
• Payroll 201: The Payroll Administration Certifcate Program

CRITERIA 3:  CPP Application Criteria 3
Before a candidate takes the examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1, for at least the last 18 months, has obtained the FPC and has completed within the last 18 months, ALL of the following courses within ONE of the following two options offered by the APA:
 

Option 1

• Intermediate Payroll Concepts (2-day course - live or virtual) and
• Advanced Payroll Concepts (2-day course) and
• Strategic Payroll Practices (2-day course)

Option 2

• Payroll 201: The Payroll Administration Certificate Program
  

Completing the Application

There are three applications for certification, corresponding to Criteria 1, 2, or 3 presented above. Be sure to complete the correct form. Candidates are required to submit their application to the APA via email at apaexam@americanpayroll.org or via fax at 210-224-5814, before making examination reservations.

By submitting your application, you authorize the APA Certification Board to contact the supervisor who signed the "Verification of Application" section of your application to substantiate your eligibility. The Certification Board reserves the right to audit applications to verify applicant eligibility. APA membership is not required to take this exam.

Examination Candidate Handbook

The CPP Examination Candidate Handbook contains information that you will need to make an examination reservation, Bibliography/CPP Examination Preparation, what to expect at the testing center and how to maintain certification. Exceptions are not made for candidates that do not read the handbook.  

Recertification By Examination

Payroll professionals who are currently certified and are applying for recertification through examination  are exempt from the above requirements. The experience and/or requirements are commensurate with the desired level of expertise for the CPP designation. Recertification candidates must take and pass the CPP exam within the year in which their current designation expires. Because examination dates are limited to APA Learning Centers and the Spring and Fall exam windows, candidates are encouraged to determine an examination date early in the year. The Certification Board reserves the right to review an applicant's qualifications and eligibility.

Preparing for the Exam

Eligibility criteria should not be considered the only criteria for preparation for the CPP exam. Candidates for the CPP exam, qualifying through any of the criteria, should be aware that a number of study aids are available as added preparation for the CPP Examination. The exam handbook contains a list of suggested references. No one source should be considered the only basis for preparation. Successful candidates indicate that they pursued a three-month minimum course of study and review based on the CPP content outline.

On Demand Free Webinar - Prepare yourself for the CPP and FPC Exams

View this webinar at your convenience! Get the latest information and tips for preparing yourself to take these exams. After clicking on the webinar link below, press the "Add To Cart" button for Product Code 11CERR01.

Prepare yourself for the CPP and FPC Exams

Study and Training Resources

Candidates can obtain study materials from the APA and attend APA review courses. APA courses are also approved to earn recertification credit hours (RCH). Training and resources are available in a variety of formats including books, training courses, Web-based training, Webinars and Webinars on demand.

Study Groups

Many APA Local Chapters conduct study groups for CPP and FPC exam preparation. Consult the study group list for a group in your area.

About the Exam

Registration for the Spring 2011 exam window is open now. Make your reservations early, as seats fill up fast.

Certification exams adminstered beginning September 10, 2011 through September 14, 2012 should be answered based on U.S. Federal laws and regulations as of January 1, 2011.

Certification exams administered beginning September 14, 2012 through September 13, 2013, exam questions should be answered based on Federal laws and regulations in effect as of January 1, 2012.

** Mid-year changes are NOT reflected on the CPP exam.

Quick Links:

CPP Exam Candidate Handbook

CPP Content Outline

CPP Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Register with Pearson VUE for the CPP Examination

CPP Candidate Examination Fee:

Northern Americas, Military/Dantes & APA Learning Centers

1/1/2011 - 9/14/2012     $360.00

EMEA, APAC and Southern Americas

1/1/2011 - 9/14/2012     $415.00

Candidates are responsible for the full amount of the examination fee. Once an appointment for an examination has been initiated, you are obligated to pay the full fee. If you cannot test for any reason, or decide not to test, the appointment must be changed or cancelled to avoid having to pay the exam fee for a missed examination.

Candidates are responsible for knowing all regulations regarding fees and examination scheduling as presented in the CPP Candidate Examination Handbook. There are no exceptions. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

More Information

This information has been extracted from the complete CPP Exam Candidate Handbook. The handbooks are presented as Adobe pdf and can be viewed in the freely available Adobe Reader.