AAP Study Program - Your Path to Becoming an AAP
Your organization benefits from your knowledge!
The PaymentsFirst AAP Study Program was designed with the student in mind. This program offers comprehensive knowledge to help you prepare for the AAP exam, while providing you with an interactive experience and a valuable support system outside the classroom. Designed by trainers with an extensive background in electronic payments for aspiring AAP candidates.
Ready for the challenge? Let PaymentsFirst help you prepare for the exam!
There is even a continuing education option if you are looking for AAP/APRP credits!
Did you miss the "So You Want To Be an AAP" information webinar?
*Continuing credits are not available for this informational webinar
- Program Options
- Why Should I Become an AAP
- Exam Cost and Testing Information
- Recommended Publications
- AAP Continuing Education Information
2023 AAP Study Program
2023 AAP Study Program - Package includes:
- AAP Virtual Review - 4 Sessions / 2 Days
- April 19th - 10am-12:30pm ET / 9am-11:30am CT - RDFI Operational Process & Flow
- April 19th - 1:30pm-4pm ET / 12:30pm-3pm CT - General Payments
- April 20th - 10am-12:30pm ET / 9am-11:30am CT - ODFI Operational Process & Flow
- April 20th - 1:30pm-4pm ET / 12:30pm-3pm CT - Risk Management
- Recordings available to Study Program participants 24-48 hours after the live sessions
- AAP Webinar Series - 2pm ET / 1pm CT - 90-minute live webinars
- Every other Monday (Sessions falling on a holiday (5/29 & 9/4) will be held on Tuesday instead of Monday, all will be recorded)
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- May 15th - ACH Products and Marketing
- May 30th (Tuesday) - Regulation E
- June 12th - Regulation E - Remittance Transfers
- June 26th - Other Regulations and Rules
- July 10th - UCC-4A
- July 24th - ACH Agreements and Authorizations
- August 7th - The Green Book
- August 21st - Federal Government Reclamations
- September 5th (Tuesday) - ACH File Formatting
- September 18th - End of Study Program Review
- Recordings available to Study Program participants 24-48 hours after the live sessions
- Study Modules PDFs
- Online Quizzes
- Monthly Q&A Conference Calls - held monthly on Friday at 2:00pm ET / 1:00pm CT
- May 5th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, and September 8th
AAP Exam Window - Monday October 2nd through Saturday October 28th
Member Pricing: $1,395
Note: The AAP Study Program Participants page will open to registrants prior to the AAP Virtual Review Session beginning April 19th.
Looking for additional study materials?
AAP Prep Publications Package – only $350 for members | $700 for nonmembers
Includes:
- 2023 NACHA Operating Rules and Guidelines
- ACH Compliance Manual
- Revised UCC4A and the ACH Network
- AAP Flashcards (available late Spring 2023)
- ACHPro 2023 (available late Spring 2023)
Why Should I Become an AAP?
AAPs are recognized throughout the payments industry as subject matter experts. The AAP designation distinguishes you within your organization and throughout the payments industry as one who has taken the extra step to become an expert in the field.
AAPs are in-demand and are recognized throughout the payments industry as the “go-to” staff member for all things ACH.
Achieving the AAP accreditation clearly demonstrates your commitment and dedication to the payments profession and boosts your profile in any company or government agency.
As long as you remain certified through Continuing Education or retesting, the AAP designation is yours. Holding the AAP designation could open new doors to career growth or opportunities.
AAP Value Proposition for Companies
Having staff on board that have the AAP credential reinforces that your organization is continually at the forefront of the information chain regarding current changes and updates to the NACHA Operating Rules and current Federal and state payments industry regulations. Key areas that your organization will profit from by having AAP-credentialed staff include but are not limited to:
- Customer Satisfaction
- Risk Management
- Cost Control
- Operational Efficiency
- Product Development
- Compliance
Who Should Get Accredited?
Any professional in the payments industry can work toward accreditation. If you’ve worked in ACH for at least two years, you’ll be adding a highly respected qualification to your professional development. if you’re relatively new to the field, you’ll give yourself an edge over the competition. At a minimum, NACHA recommends spending two years working in the payments industry before taking the AAP exam.
Exam Cost and Test Dates
2023 AAP Exam Information
Registration for the 2023 exam opens on Thursday, December 1, 2022.
2023 Test Window: Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 – Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
Registration End Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Member: $550, Non-Member: $675
Late Registration Period : Saturday, Sept. 9 - Friday, September 29, 2023
Member: $600, Non-Member: $725
Deferral End Date *: Friday, September 1, 2023
Member: $125, Non-Member: $125
Late Deferral Period *: Saturday, September 2 - Friday, September 29, 2023
Member: $150, Non-Member: $150
Substitution End Date *: Friday, September 29, 2023
Member: $90, Non-Member: $90
Cancellation End Date *: Friday, September 1, 2023
Member: $60, Non-Member: $60
*A written request is required for deferrals and cancellations. Absolutely no registrations, deferrals, or substitutions will be processed after the deadline.
Recommended Publications
Click here for Suggested Supplemental Resources
2023 NACHA Operating Rules and Guidelines
ACH Pro 2023 CD (available late Spring 2023)
The ACH Compliance Manual
AAP Flashcards
Revised Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A and the Automated Clearing House
Each publication can be purchased individually or as the AAP Prep Publication package
AAP Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
An AAP must earn 60 hours of Continuing Education, with no more than 20 hours earned in any one year, during the five year accreditation period. AAPs also have an option to retest during the fourth or fifth year if the Continuing Education requirements are not met.
Reporting of Credits: Please keep track of continuing education credits earned throughout the year.
- Filing Deadline Date: March 31st (for prior year)
- Late Filing Deadline - April 30th (late fee applies)
- File Credits online
How Many Credits Have I Earned?
- Log into www.paymentsfirst.org
- Go to Members Only Section
- View/Pay Invoices to see a history of training you attended.
- Add up the credits
Please reference the AAP Continuing Education Guidelines for more information.
Continuing Education Temporary Waiver - Effective March 13, 2020
In response to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the COVID-19 virus, the AAP Blue Ribbon Panel and the APRP Oversight Panel approved a temporary waiver of the maximum number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) that can be earned via self-study. The AAP and APRP Continuing Education Guidelines currently allow for a maximum of 10 hours per year earned via self-study.
You are still required to fulfill your 60 hour CEC requirement during your certification period, but this temporary waiver allows you to obtain all of the maximum 20 hours earned in calendar year 2020, and now also applies to credits earned between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021.
When filing your credits online or by form during the wavier period, all Self-Study (aka Web Based Learning System) programs should be categorized as In Person Conf., Seminar, Webinar (aka Prof Trng) to ensure you obtain the maximum 20 credits allowed in this category.
Both Nacha and the Payments Associations provide many opportunities for webinars or other distance learning and we encourage you to visit the Nacha website and the Center for Payments to learn more about upcoming education offerings.
As a reminder, this policy pertains only to credits earned between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020, and Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021. If you are eligible to file 2020 CECs, but have not done so, please note the deadline to file is March 31, 2021. Late filings will be accepted April 1-April 30 for an additional $50.
