Validate your knowledge and skills with the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation – three little letters that demonstrate you’ve taken the hard road to continue your education. Embrace your continued growth in payroll with a certification that not only proves your dedication to this profession but will also open many doors in your future endeavors.
The Certification Board requires that payroll professionals fulfill ONE of the following criteria before they are eligible to take the Certified Payroll Professional Examination.
CRITERIA 1:
The payroll professional has been practicing for at least a total of three (3) years out of the five (5) years preceding the date of the examination application. The practice of payroll is defined as direct or related
involvement in at least one of the following:
- Payroll Production, Payroll Reporting, Payroll Accounting, Payroll Systems, and Payroll Taxation
- Payroll Administration
- Payroll Education/Consulting
CRITERIA 2:
Before a candidate takes the CPP examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1 for at least the last 24 months, and has completed within the last 24 months,
ALL of the courses within ONE of the following three options offered by PayrollOrg:
Option 1
- Payroll Practice Essentials and
- Intermediate Payroll Concepts and
- Advanced Payroll Concepts and
- Strategic Payroll Practices
Option 2
Option 3
*Delivered exclusively by PayrollOrg.
CRITERIA 3:
Before a candidate takes the CPP examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1, for at least the last 18 months, has obtained the FPC designation,
and has completed within the last 18 months, ALL of the courses within AT LEAST ONE of the following three options offered by PayrollOrg:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
*Delivered exclusively by PayrollOrg.
You do not have to be a PayrollOrg member to apply for or take this exam. As a first step, all candidates must download the CPP Candidate Handbook.
Convince Your Boss
You’re convinced that you should sit for the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam, and we really want you to; now it’s time to convince your boss! Customize this letter to convince your boss to support and fund your journey to become certified.
Additional Resources
What Others Are Saying
"So many times, we come across things that are difficult to get through in our professional or personal life. I think every time you come across those things, you learn how to manage them. Taking the CPP exam made me dig deep and re-learn how to think about things critically to come to the right answer."
-Cari Breitinger, CPP
Director, HRIS and Payroll
Belfor
CPP Candidate Handbook
The CPP Candidate Handbook contains information necessary to schedule an exam. It also contains information regarding suggested study tools, testing center guidelines, and how to maintain the CPP certification. Failure to follow the policies found in the handbook can result in a denial of the CPP designation.
Certification Exam Application
A Certified Payroll Professional candidate must complete an application to take the CPP exam. The Certification Department must approve the application before the candidate can register for the exam. The CPP Committee reserves the right to audit applications to verify applicant eligibility.
Already submitted an application?
Exam Dates
North America residents can now register and test from the comfort of their home or office using OnVUE, PearsonVUE's online proctoring exam delivery system..
The exam
is offered in North America during the following windows:
Fall 2024
Registration: July 3 - October 4, 2024
Exam: September 7 - October 5, 2024
Spring 2025
Registration: November 11, 2024 - April 18, 2025
Exam: January 6 - April 19, 2025
For information on taking the exam at the Learning Center in Las Vegas, internationally, and on military bases, review the Candidate Handbook.
Exams administered from September 7, 2024 through September 5, 2025, feature questions based on federal laws and regulations in effect as of January 1, 2024.
Mid-year legislative and regulatory changes are NOT reflected on that year’s exam.
Preparing for the Exam
A number of study aids are available as additional preparation for the CPP exam (refer to the CPP Candidate Handbook’s bibliography page). No one study tool should be considered the only basis for exam preparation. Successful candidates indicate that they pursued a minimum three-month course of study and review based on the CPP content outline and Knowledge, Skills, and Ability statements.
Candidates can obtain study materials from PayrollOrg and/or attend PayrollOrg preparation courses. The PayrollOrg offers training and resources in a variety of formats including:
- Books
- Online research materials
- Training courses
- Web-based training
- Webinars
- Webinars on demand
- Chapter Study groups
View the webinar tutorial Preparing for CPP and FPC Exams.
Recertification by Exam
Individuals who are currently CPP-certified and cannot meet the CPP recertification by continuing education requirements may apply for recertification through examination, which requires them to take and pass the CPP exam during the calendar year in which their current CPP designation expires. The experience and/or requirements are commensurate with the desired level of expertise for the CPP designation.
Because examination dates are limited to the Learning Center in Las Vegas and the Spring and Fall exam windows, candidates are encouraged to determine an examination date early in the year. The CPP Committee reserves the right to review an applicant's
qualifications and eligibility.
Share Your Achievement
You have two options to share your achievement – online via digital badge and through hardcopy certificate.
Share your achievement on social media, and as part of your email signature or digital resume!
- Once you have passed the FPC or CPP examination, you will receive an email notification from the Acclaim Platform ([email protected]) with instructions for claiming your digital badge and setting up your account.
- When you successfully recertify, you will receive an email confirming that the recertification has been successfully approved and your date has moved forward. Your digital badge will automatically update.
Please allow 48 hours after passing the exam or recertifying to claim your digital badge.
You may also choose to order a hardcopy certificate through the PayrollOrg store.
Please allow 48 hours after passing the exam to place a certificate order.
Membership
Maximize the Value of Your Certification
Join PayrollOrg and get maximum return on your certification and career investment. PayrollOrg members receive three RCH’s annually just for being a member, along with free webinars
and compliance resources, networking opportunities, and discounts on training and publications.
Become a PayrollOrg Member today!