As we step into 2024, ePayResources reflects on the significant milestones achieved in the payments industry. Nacha’s Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) and Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) programs both hit milestone anniversaries in 2023, celebrating 30 years and five years, respectively. ePayResources and the other Payments Associations across the country have played a very important role from the beginning, from participating in Nacha’s Blue Ribbon Panels that developed these accreditation programs and that keep them up to date to providing ongoing exam preparation and continuing education. As a Direct Member of Nacha, ePayResources is a specially recognized and licensed ACH education, publications, and support provider. We also support our members’ participation and accreditation in other payment channels, including check, wire, card, RTP®, FedNowSM, and other emerging solutions.
AAP Program: A 30-Year Legacy
February 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of the AAP program. Accredited ACH Professionals have mastered the complexities of the Automated Clearing House Network. They are committed to ensuring safety and security, each playing an important role in their organization’s bottom line. There are currently more than 4,500 AAPs nationwide!
Nacha recommends working two years in the payments industry before taking the AAP exam. ePayResources is with you every step of the way, from providing the education you need during those two years to give you a solid foundation for success, to get you ready for the exam with in-depth preparation courses and tools, to providing convenient access to the ongoing education you need to maintain your annual continuing education credits. The AAP test window is Monday, Oct. 7 - Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
APRP Program: 5 Years of Excellence
2023 marked the 5th anniversary of the APRP program, and its annual recognition day will be observed on the third Tuesday in September. APRPs have mastered the complexities of risk management for ACH, check, wire, debit, credit and prepaid cards, and emerging and alternative payments. There are currently more than 500 APRPs nationwide.
As with the AAP program, Nacha recommends spending two years working in the payments industry before taking the APRP exam; ePayResources offers education and other resources to build your knowledge and increase your chances of success. The APRP test window begins in August.
National Check Payments Certification Program
According to ECCHO, a business line of The Clearing House, The National Check Payments Certification (NCPC) Program recognizes an elevated level of payments acumen among payment professionals by demonstrating a working knowledge of every significant aspect of the check payment system including products and operations, relevant rules and laws that govern checks, industry standards, and fraud and risk mitigation considerations. This is particularly important as financial institutions face institutional check knowledge loss from retirements that could impede their ability to combat check risk and fraud. There are currently over 1,000 NCPs nationwide.
ePayResources has qualified as a Diamond level NCP Educational Partner and presents training approved by the NCPC program. ePayResources’ Education team is certified to teach NCP Exam prep courses through an annual Class Instructor Certification Program. Partners focus on building NCPs as well as providing continuing education. The NCP test window is Saturday, April 20 – Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Faster Payments Professional Certificate
Faster payments are evolving exponentially, and with Same Day ACH, RTP, FedNow, and more coming at financial institutions, it’s more important than ever to be prepared. In 2024, Nacha, the Payments Associations, and the Payments Innovation Alliance launched the Faster Payments Professional Certificate, a first-of-its-kind program providing a holistic view of faster payments that will allow professionals to demonstrate proficiency in this field. Modules 1 and 2 are available now!
The Accredited Faster Payments Professional program is slated to begin in 2025. Get prepared with ePayResources' Faster Payments Professional Certificate program now.
ePayResources Certifications and Certificates
ePayResources also offers its own ACH Certification and Card Certificate programs. Our ACH Certification, available exclusively to members of ePayResources, is a great stepping stone to the AAP program for those new to payments.
ePayResouces’ Introduction to Cards Certificate Program is a basic course of self-paced study that teaches you the fundamentals of cards to provide you with a foundational understanding of debit and credit cards, focusing on issuing. This introductory-level program is ideal for anyone new to your organization or to the card industry.
ePayU Offers Round-the-Clock Professional Development
Whether you are considering accreditation, maintaining continuing education credits, or want to stay on top of the payments industry, ePayU offers our full financial institution members the convenience of 24/7/365 access to over 100 learning opportunities - from our virtual events to recorded webinars and a lot more – at no additional cost! Not a full financial institution member? Call us at 800-475-0585, Option 4, to learn more about full membership and ePayU subscription options.
Have questions about professional development in the payments world? Call our Payments Answerline™ at 800-475-0585, Option 1.
Already an AAP or APRP? Get the most out of your travel dollars and earn all 20 continuing education credits you need in 2024 by attending ePayConnect March 11 - 13 at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Help us kick off our 50th anniversary at our largest event of the year! In celebration of this milestone, pre-conference workshops are now INCLUDED with registration for all attendees!