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EARNING THE AAP CREDENTIAL
To become an AAP, a candidate must first pass the AAP exam which is offered nationwide during the month of October.
REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM
How do I submit my application?
You may submit your application
online, through the mail or via
fax. All registration forms contain the necessary
information needed to either mail or fax your form
to NACHA.
How do I pay
for my registration fee?
You may pay via credit card, check or ACH credit.
NACHA does not invoice for the AAP exam, payment must be received with your registration in order to be processed.
If I don’t register by the
deadline, can I just stop in at a testing center to
take the exam?
No. Applications for any given test
and location must be received by NACHA in accordance
with the registration deadlines established by the
AAP Program Policies. Walk-in candidates at the test
site are not allowed.
How do I determine if I am a
member or non-member?
For member rates, your
organization must be a direct member of NACHA or a
member of a NACHA Council or NACHA's Affiliate program. The member rate is also extended to
organizations that are active members of one of the
Regional Payments Associations.
How do I know if my application
has been received?
When NACHA receives your
registration and the payment is processed, you will
receive an email within 72 hours notifying you that
the payment has been processed. Confirmation letters
are sent to all candidates, along with their study
handbook, approximately 2 weeks after payment has
been processed. The ahndbook may be sent separately if the current year's publication is not available at the time of registration.
What does the registration fee
cover?
The registration fee covers the
cost of registration, a study handbook, and the
sitting fee for the exam.
Can I cancel my registration after
I register?
A Candidate may cancel his
registration within thirty (30) days of receipt of the AAP Handbook for a partial refund of the registration fee. Sixty dollars ($60) will be retained by NACHA to cover administrative expenses associated with processing the original registration and cancellation request.
EXAM ADMINISTRATION
What is a test window?
A test window is a span of time in
which you can select a specific date and time that
you would like to test. The test window for 2008 is
from Monday, October 13, 2008 to Friday, October 31,
2008. You may pick any day and time
(providing it is available at the test site
selected) within this period to sit for the exam.
Can I change my selected test date?
Yes, you may change your
appointment date and time within a particular
testing window. However, all such appointment
changes MUST be made directly with LaserGrade at
least three business days (72 hours) in advance of
the scheduled test date. No changes to appointment
date or time will be permitted if less than three
business days (72 hours) prior notice is provided.
There is no fee associated with making a change
TEST SITES
NACHA and the Regional Payments
Associations are partnering with LaserGrade, the
largest United States owned and operated testing
network in North America, to use their
computer-based testing centers nationwide.
LaserGrade’s testing centers are located at
community colleges, universities, IT centers and
aviation centers. A LINK has been provided on the
NACHA website to connect you to LaserGrade’s test
site locator to view the sites available in your
area.
http://www.lasergrade.com/nas.shtml
When and how do I select a test
site?
NACHA will send you a letter
confirming your registration. It will provide you
with your specific ID # and instructions on how to
contact LaserGrade directly to select your test site
and test time. Candidates must book their
appointment no later than September 29, 2008.
Can I change my test site?
Yes, you may change your test site
within a particular testing window. However, all
such appointment changes MUST be made directly with
LaserGrade at least three (3) business days (72 hours)
in advance of the scheduled test date. No changes to
appointment date, time, or location will be
permitted if less than three (3) business days (72
hours) prior notice is provided. There is no fee
associated with making a change.
What type of identification do I
need?
To be admitted to the test center
on the scheduled test date, the candidate must
present a document bearing the candidate’s picture
and signature, such as: (a) a driver’s license or
state identification card, (b) a
government/employment identification badge, (c) a
valid passport, or (d) a notarized photograph and
signature. Admission to the testing center will not
be granted without proper identification. Should a candidate attempt to fraudulently test for another individual, candidate will be dismissed immediately from the test center and a report will be filed and submitted to NACHA.
Will I be allowed to bring
anything into the test room?
No personal belongings such as
hats, coats, purses, backpacks, cell phones, pagers,
laptops, etc. are permitted in the testing room.
Should a candidate be found in possession of
prohibited materials, candidate will be
dismissed immediately from the test center and a
report will be filed and submitted to NACHA.
Candidates will be provided, upon
entering the test room, with a #2 pencil and one
8-1/2 x 11 sheet of blank paper (which will to be
collected by the proctor at the end of the exam)
If I arrive before my selected
time, can I start the exam early? What if I arrive late?
This would be up to the
testing facility and can only be answered at the
time it happens. If an early or late arrival does not cause a conflict with another testing appointment, the testing center has discretion with respect to changes to start times. The testing facility also has the discretion to deny you to test. Regardless of start time, candidates will be allowed only three (3) hours to complete the exam.
THE AAP EXAM
How many questions are on the
exam?
The AAP exam is a multiple-choice
exam consisting of 120 questions, 20 of which are
pilot questions and not scored. Pilot questions are not identified on the exam as being pilot questions.
What information does the AAP exam
cover?
The exam covers a wide range of
ACH information pertaining to:
-
Knowledge of the ACH Network
and comparative payment systems
-
Knowledge of ACH rules and regulations
-
Technical ACH skills, including operational
requirements
-
Understanding of ACH products and applications
-
Risk management and other policy issues
-
Marketing ACH services
-
Management of electronic payment services
-
Regulation E and other federal requirements
How long will I have to complete
the exam?
You will have 3 hours to complete
the exam.
What is the passing score for the
exam?
The passing score is disclosed only as pass/no pass. Individual test scores are not available and are not shared with AAP candidates or NACHA.
When will I get my results?
Unofficial pass/no pass results
are provided at the completion of the exam. Official
results will be mailed from NACHA within six weeks
of the close of the test window. Those who pass the
exam will receive their AAP certificate and pin.
Those who do not pass will be mailed a report on
general topic areas requiring improvement.
What’s it like to take an
electronic test?
You only need to have basic computer skills for the simple format used. A practice test is available on the LaserGrade website. Please note this practice exam, other than the results page*, reflects the new format for the computer-based AAP exam. Please use this practice test as often as you like to help increase your comfort level with the testing format. Good luck and enjoy!
Click here to access the LaserGrade site and then scroll down and click on AAP Demo Test http://65.106.153.37/
*When completing the official AAP exam you will only see the results as "Pass" or "No-Pass." Scores are not given, nor will you be able to print the results page
EXAM PREPARATION
What materials will I receive?
When your registration has been processed you will receive The Accredited ACH Professional Handbook. Alone, however, it does not provide sufficient background to sit for the AAP examination. Additional study materials are available for purchase separately.
What materials should I study?
The AAP candidate must have a broad, well-rounded knowledge of the ACH industry overall, with a solid understanding of not only the NACHA Operating Rules, but also risk management, state and Federal regulations, audit and compliance, third-party processing, and ACH marketing. A variety of publications packages are offered by both NACHA and the Regional Payments Associations. Visit NACHA’s and the RPAs’ websites to learn more about the publications resources they offer.
Are there training sessions for preparing for the
exam?
Many regional payments associations offer review
sessions prior to the exam. For additional
information about attending an AAP review course in
your area, contact your regional payments
association.
REGISTRATION ISSUES – CANCELLATIONS, DEFERRALS, SUBSTITUTIONS
(Program Policies)
Cancellation and Refunds
Candidates may cancel their registration for a
partial refund of the test registration fee,
provided a written request for cancellation is
received by NACHA within thirty (30) days of receipt
of the Accredited ACH Professional Handbook. Sixty
dollars ($60) of the candidate’s registration fee is
non-refundable in the event that a candidate should
request a cancellation of his exam registration.
This fee is used to offset the administrative
expenses that are incurred to process the
candidate’s original registration, as well as his
request for cancellation.
Note: The AAP Program Policies do not permit the
refund of any portion of the AAP test registration
fee for any registration received by NACHA after
September 1, 2008. Candidates may, however, exercise
the option to defer their registrations or request
substitutions, provided that these requests are
received by NACHA at least ten (10) business days
prior to the scheduled test date (please refer to
the policies governing deferrals or substitutions in
this Handbook for specific information and deadlines
for processing these requests).
Deferral Policy
Registered candidates who decide they are not ready to sit for the exam may request the deferral of their registration to the next scheduled examination window. It is important to note that the option to defer may only be exercised one (1) time for each registration fee paid. A request for deferral must be made in writing and be received by NACHA at least ten (10) business days prior to the beginning date of the test window. A processing fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) must accompany the written request for deferral. For the 2008 exam, a request for deferral and related processing fee must be received by NACHA by the opening of business on September 29, 2008. Candidates who defer their registration will not receive an additional Handbook unless it is purchased separately.
Late deferral requests will be accepted after the deadline noted above through the last day of the current year’s testing window, provided that they are received by NACHA at least three (3) business days prior to the candidate’s scheduled appointment time at the testing facility. Such request for deferral must be made in writing and must include a late deferral fee of ninety-five dollars ($95). Any requests for deferral made on or after the last day of the current testing window must be a result of illness or other family emergency and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Substitutions
Substitutes for AAP candidates who find they cannot take the examination are allowed, provided that NACHA receives a written request for substitution and completed registration form for the new candidate at least ten (10) business days before the starting date of the current test window. An administrative fee of seventy-five dollars ($75) must accompany each request for substitution. For the 2008 exam, a request for substitution and processing fee must be received by NACHA by the opening of business on September 29, 2008.
MAINTAINING ACCREDITED STATUS
How long is my accreditation period?
After successfully passing the AAP exam, your
accreditation will be effective for a five-year
period starting on January 1 of the following year
and ending at the end of the fifth (5th) year on December
31st.
For current AAPs who become reaccredited through the
continuing education process, five years would be
added to the end date of your current accreditation
period.
The same would apply to AAPs who opt to retest in
either their fourth (4th) or fifth (5th) year, upon successfully
passing the AAP exam their accreditation period
would be extended by five (5) years from the current end
date of their accreditation period.
How do I maintain my accreditation?
AAPs must earn sixty (60) continuing education
credits within the five year accreditation period,
with no more than twenty (20) credits earned in any
one year.
If I don’t do continuing education credits what are
my options?
AAPs may retest in either the fourth (4th) or fifth (5th) year
of their current accreditation period. Upon
achieving a passing score, their accreditation period
will be extended by five years from the ending date
of the current accreditation period.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
What qualifies as continuing education credits?
Continuing education credits can be earned in five (5)
categories:
- Education sessions conducted at Professional
Seminars / Conferences / Teleseminars / Webinars
- Teaching
- Publishing Articles/Books/Papers
- Volunteer Service on NACHA or the RPAs Committees
and Board of Directors
- Professional Service/Membership on NACHA Councils
and Affiliate Membership Program
What subject matters are considered eligible for
continuing education credits?
Some of the categories eligible for credits are:
- Knowledge of the ACH Network and comparative
payment systems
- Knowledge of ACH rules and regulations
- Technical ACH skills, including operational
requirements
- Understanding of ACH products and applications
- Risk management and other policy issues
- Marketing ACH services
- Management of electronic payment services
- Regulation E and other federal requirements
For more detailed information please refer to the
AAP Reporting Guidelines
How do I determine how many credits a session is
worth?
One renewal credit is awarded for each fifty (50) minutes
involved in a qualifying education program. For
example, you participate in an hour and a half
teleseminar, the total number of minutes is ninety (90). You
divide the ninety (90) minutes by fifty (50), which equals one point eight (1.8)
credits. Partial credits are accepted providing they
are at least point one (.1). Please note that time breaks and
lunch hours are not calculated in, nor is time spent
in exhibit halls when attending conferences.
How do I file my credits?
Credits may be filed
online
or you may
download the reporting form from our
website
and either mail or fax it. All reporting forms must be accompanied with payment in order to be processed. Refer to the AAP Continuing Education Reporting Guidelines for specific information on annual filing fees and eligibilty
What is the deadline for filing credits?
All credits must be reported in the year they are
earned. The filing deadline for submitting all 2008
credits would be March 31, 2009.
If I miss the filing deadline what are my options?
For those who miss the filing deadline of March 31, there is a late filing period between April 1 and April 30th. Credits received by NACHA during this late filing period will be assessed a late filing fee of $50 in addition to the standard filing fee. Credits filed during the late filing period must be accompanied with full payment in order to be processed. Any forms received after April 30th will not be processed.
Am I required to submit supporting documentation?
The AAP Program operates under the honor program,
therefore documentation is not required when
reporting your credits. That being said, NACHA
reserves the right to review reporting forms as they
are entered into the database and request additional
information should they deem necessary.
Do I need to keep supporting documentation?
The AAP Policies state you must retain copies of supporting documentation for all credits files for a three (3) year period. You will be required to provide this information to NACHA if you are audited.
Will I receive confirmation of credits submitted?
Yes. Once the reporting deadlines close, NACHA will forward to AAPs a summary of their credits. This summary will include a listing of what has been submitted and accepted for the current year and will also inform AAPs of the total number of credits they have attained to date. All AAPs are asked to review for accuracy, and they will have thirty (30) days to notify NACHA of any discrepancies.
How does the audit process work?
On an annual basis, NACHA will generate a random list of fifty (50) AAPs whose continuing education credits will be audited. These AAPs will need to provide documentation supporting all credits submitted on their reporting form. Any credits that cannot be substantiated must be disqualified. |
