What to Expect

Testing Periods and Exam Centers

Proctored exams are important, and convenient nationwide testing centers (operated by Pearson VUE) are used for many of The College’s programs. For the test scheduling to work efficiently and to ensure that you take the exam that aligns with your particular course material, we operate on a system of testing periods. When you register for a course, you’ll need to indicate the 3-month window in which you will be taking your exam at the testing center.

It is important that you allow adequate time to prepare, as you will need to pay a fee if you later decide to move your exam to another 3-month window.

PACE Program: Professional Achievement in Continuing Education

Designations subject to the PACE requirements include:

• ChFC^® (enrolled after 6/30/1989)
• CLU^® (enrolled after 6/30/1989)
• CASL^®
• CAP^®
• RHU^®
• REBC^®
• CLF^®

You will need to complete 30 credit hours of acceptable CE every two years except for CASL^® and CAP^®, where the requirement is 15 hours. In the case of CASL^®, at least 10 hours must be in coursework directly related to the topics required to obtain the designation.

If you earned the first of these designations after February 1, 2007, you will need to pay a single, biennial recertification fee of $250 at the time of your PACE reporting. The College has committed to spending the majority of this fee on advertising to promote your professional credentials. Click here for more information about the PACE program.

Online Learning Center: Blackboard

(The Blackboard Academic Suite™)

Discover the convenience and effectiveness of web-based learning by using Blackboard Academic Suite. The American College offers a variety of interactive study tools to help you master your course materials and reach your educational goals. Through the Blackboard tool, you will be able to receive the resources you need including online textbooks and syllabus, learning modules, practice questions, interactive flashcards and learning exercises and even sample exams. Blackboard also provides you the opportunity to discuss course materials with your professors and manage your assignments and schedule.

Planning for Completion

Once you approach the completion of your designation, you will receive an application from The College to complete and return once you have passed the final course in your designation track. Applications received by the 15th of the month after you pass your last exam will lead to your designation’s being awarded the first of the next month, provided that all qualifications have been met. Remember that designations may have other elements in addition to educational components, including, for example, basic experience requirements.

Always refer to The College’s catalog or contact a professional education counselor at 888.263.7265 should you have questions. If for some reason you do not receive a designation application and feel you have completed all of your requirements, contact a counselor to discuss your situation.

Completion Requirements for CFP^® Certification

Remember that The American College does not award CFP^® certification. Instead, we are the leading provider of the educational component that each student must complete prior to sitting for CFP Board’s national comprehensive exam. To learn more about registering for CFP Board’s exam once you have completed your courses at The College, visit cfp.net.

Trademark Standards

Upon completion of your program and awarding of your designation, you earn the right to use the designation with your customers and colleagues. To continue that right, you must meet all ongoing requirements of The College, including ethics and continuing education requirements, and you must adhere to the trademark guidelines for using your designation. A copy of the trademark guidelines for ChFC^® and CLU^® may be found here.

Celebrate at the Knowledge Summit

Periodically The College hosts a Knowledge Summit with a commencement event, allowing all who have earned their designation during the preceding qualifying period to be recognized by colleagues, families, and friends. Check with your company, as many financial services firms who encourage education pay for new designees to attend the The American College’s Knowledge Summit.