Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Professionals who have put CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) at the end of their title have demonstrated their expertise, moved into leadership roles, and strengthened their credibility to employers. More than 70% of payroll departments have at least one CPP on their team, earning about $10,000 more than those without certification, making the credential both valuable and widely recognized. Tune in to this episode of PayTalk as we explore how earning your CPP can open new career opportunities, strengthen your expertise, and build confidence in your payroll career.

The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a certification credential for those with extensive payroll knowledge and experience. The exam consists of 190 questions, and candidates have 4 hours to complete it. The Certification Board requires that payroll professionals fulfill ONE of the following criteria before they are eligible to take the CPP 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

• Foundations of Payroll Certificate Program and
• The Payroll Administration Certificate Program

Option 3

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Boot Camp®*

*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

• Intermediate Payroll Concepts and
• Advanced Payroll Concepts and
• Strategic Payroll Practices

Option 2

• The Payroll Administration Certificate Program

Option 3

• *Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Boot Camp®*

*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.

Additional Resources

• My Certification Dashboard
• Register/Pay for Exam
• Download CPP handbook
• View the Exam Content Outline
• Convince Your Boss
• Recertification Log
• Complete the CPP Application
• Remote Testing
• Online Testing FAQ
• Certification FAQ
• Digital Badges
• Directory of Certificants

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.

Download Your Handbook

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 Credly 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.

Only newly certified candidates have the option to order a hardcopy certificate through the PayrollOrg store.

Please allow 48 hours after passing the exam to place a certificate order.