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Payments Accreditations

Payments Accreditations Journey: Step by Step

Are you ready to position yourself for professional advancement? Accreditation shows you have superior skills and abilities, a level of commitment to your profession, and that you have invested your valuable time and resources to prove that you are an experienced payments professional.

The Clearing House Payments Authority (TCHPA) offers exam prep education and resources to help you prepare for the National Check Professional (NCP), Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP), and the Accredited ACH Professional (AAP).

While each credential has its own specific requirements the journey is basically the same.

  1. Earn the recommended TCHPA Certificate to demonstrate your basic knowledge
  2. Prep with the TCHPA Exam Prep Webinar Series
  3. Earn your accreditation
  4. Connect in the TCHPA Alliance meetings
  5. Earn continuing education credits

Accreditations

Ncppartnerseal2022 

The NCP credential is designed to recognize and build check expertise. Having an NCP on staff promotes the credibility of your team by enhancing knowledge of check operations, regulations, products, and services. Here are the steps to take in your journey to earning your NCP.

Accreditation Owner: ECCHO

2025 NCP test window: April 19 - May 10, 2025

  1. Listen To I Want to Be a National Check Professional (NCP)
  2. Read "How to Successfully Become an NCP"
  3. Earn Check Certificates by The Clearing House Payments Authority

4. Register and attend the TCHPA 2025 NCP Exam Prep Webinar Series

  • February 13 - March 20, 2025
  • Registration closes on January 30, 2025

5. Register with ECCHO to take the NCP Exam

6. Register for the NCP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop

  • 9:30 - 3:30 ET on Thursday, April 3, 2025
  • Registration closes on Friday, March 28, 2025

7. Earn NCP Accreditation

8. Maintain Your NCP Accreditation

9. Connect at the TCHPA NCP Alliance Meeting - Limited to TCHPA Members only

  • NCP Alliance Meeting @ Concepts (date TBD)
Aprpweb 

Effectively managing payments risk is crucial for organizations that provide payment services. The APRP credential demonstrates that you, or your employees, have mastered the complexities of risk management for ACH, check, wire, debit, credit and prepaid cards, and emerging and alternative payments. Here are steps to take in your journey to earning your APRP.

Accreditation Owner: Nacha

2025 APRP test window: August 4 - 30, 2025

  1. Listen to I Want to Be an Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP)
  2. Read "How to Successfully Become an APRP" 
  3. Earn TCHPA Payments Risk Foundations Certificate
  4. Register and attend TCHPA  APRP Exam Prep Series
    • May 8 - June 12, 2025. Registration closes at 5:00pm ET April 24!
  5. Register with Nacha to take the APRP Exam
  6. Register for TCHPA's APRP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop
    • July 10, 2025 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET
  7. Earn APRP Accreditation
  8. Maintain your APRP Accreditation
Aapweb 

The AAP credential demonstrates that you have mastered ACH payments. You have a deep understanding of the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines as well as other laws and regulations. Here are steps to take in your journey to earning your AAP. 

Accreditation Owner: Nacha

2025 Test Window: October 6 - November 1, 2025

  1. Listen to I Want to Be an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP)
  2. Read "How to Successfully Become an AAP"
  3. Earn TCHPA ACH Certificates:
  4. Register and attend TCHPA AAP Exam Prep Series
    • July 31 - September 4, 2025. Registration closes at 5:00pm ET July 17th!
  5. Register with Nacha to take the AAP Exam
  6. Register and attend an AAP Exam Prep Workshop
  7. Earn your AAP Accreditation
  8. Maintain your AAP Accreditation

 

  

The new Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) designation is designed to recognize and build expertise for faster payments. Having an AFPP on staff promotes the credibility of your team by enhancing knowledge of instant payments operations, regulations, products and trends.  Are you up for the challenge?

Accreditation Owner: Nacha

2026 Test Window: February 16 - March 14, 2026

  1. Earn TCHPA Faster Payments Certificate
  2. Register and attend the TCHPA AFPP Exam Prep Series
    • November 4 – December 16, 2025. Registration for the exam prep series closes at 5PM ET on October 9, 2025. Additional pre-work will be assigned
  3. Register with Nacha to take the AFPP Exam
    • Registration will open Fall 2025

4. Maintain Your Accreditation