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Designation Prerequisites & Requirements

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Prerequisites & Initial Requirements

Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation

These are the requirements for attaining the AIF® Designation:

  1. Fulfill the Experience Requirement: One of the following combinations of education, industry experience, and/or professional development is required to meet the experience requirement for the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation. Relevant experience is that which has been accrued in a non-clerical role within the financial services (or a related) industry.
    • Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience PLUS a bachelor’s degree (or higher) PLUS a professional credential.
    • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience PLUS EITHER a bachelor’s degree (or higher) OR a professional credential.
    • Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience.
  2. Enroll in and complete AIF® Training that satisfies AIF® training requirements.
  3. Pass the Examination.
  4. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  5. Submit the application and dues.

All requirements must be met within one (1) year of passing the Examination. After one year, a candidate must retake and pass the exam to meet the examination requirement for certification.

 

Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA®) Designation

These are the requirements for obtaining the AIFA® Designation:

  1. Earn and hold the AIF® Designation.
  2. Fulfill the experience requirement:
    • AIFA® Designees must have a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience.  Relevant experience is that which has been accrued in a non-clerical role within the financial services (or related) industry.
  3. Enroll in and complete the AIFA® Designation Training.
  4. Pass the AIFA® Assessment.
  5. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  6. Submit the application.

All requirements must be met within one (1) year of passing the Examination. After one year, a candidate must retake and pass the exam to meet the examination requirement for certification.

 

Professional Plan Consultant® (PPC®) Designation

These are the requirements for obtaining the PPC® Designation:

  1. Fulfill the Experience Requirement: One of the following combinations of education, industry experience, and/or professional development is required to meet the experience requirement for the Professional Plan Consultant® (PPC®) Designation.  Relevant experience is that which has been accrued in a non-clerical role within the financial services (or a related) industry.
  2. Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience PLUS a bachelor’s degree (or higher) PLUS a professional credential.
  3. Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience PLUS EITHER a bachelor’s degree (or higher) OR a professional credential.
  4. Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience.
  5. Enroll in and complete PPC® Training that satisfies PPC® Training requirements.
  6. Pass the Examination.
  7. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  8. Submit the application and dues.

All requirements must be met within one (1) year of passing the Examination. After one year, a candidate must retake and pass the exam to meet the examination requirement for certification.

 

Ongoing Requirements

AIF® Designation

The following steps must be completed annually in order to retain the AIF® Designation:

  1. Accrue and report six (6) hours of continuing education (CE), four (4) of which must be delivered by Fi360 or one of Fi360’s approved CE providers.
  2. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  3. Submit the application and dues ($325).

AIFA® Designation

The following steps must be completed annually in order to retain the AIFA® Designation:

  1. Accrue and report ten (10) hours of continuing education (CE), eight (8) of which must be delivered by Fi360 or one of Fi360’s approved CE providers.
  2. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  3. Submit the application and dues ($325).

PPC® Designation

The following steps must be completed annually in order to retain the PPC® Designation:

  1. Accrue and report six (6) hours of continuing education (CE), four (4) of which must be delivered by Fi360 or one of Fi360’s approved CE providers.
  2. Satisfy the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards.
  3. Submit the application and dues ($245).

For full details on the AIF® initial and ongoing requirements, please consult the AIF® Candidate Handbook. 

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