If you have worked in payroll for a little while, then you've seen these three letters in your colleagues’ email signatures—FPC or CPP—which are three bold letters that signify they have a mastery of payroll knowledge and skills.
The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is more than just a credential—it's a badge of expertise, a commitment to your career, and a key to unlocking new opportunities. At PayrollOrg, we're dedicated to empowering payroll professionals like you to reach one of these two (or both) milestones. We understand that pursuing a payroll certification can seem daunting, but with the right mindset and support, the journey is not only achievable but incredibly rewarding.
Certification Benefits
Certification is a powerful career investment that demonstrates a payroll professional’s deep understanding of payroll principles, laws, and best practices. Earning a payroll certification showcases your expertise to employers, clients, and peers. Certification also opens doors to advancement opportunities, greater earning potential, and a stronger professional network. But the benefits extend beyond your career. The process of preparing for certification expands your knowledge, sharpens your skills, and boosts your confidence. You'll become a more valuable asset to your organization and a trusted advisor to your clients and colleagues.
How to Prepare to Study
Don’t worry; you do not need to prepare alone. PayrollOrg is your partner every step of the way in helping you achieve certification with practical advice and study aids for every need. Begin studying by first figuring out your learning style because you want to study smarter, not harder. Your peers recommend the following:
- Assess Your Knowledge: Start by identifying your strengths and areas for improvement. Review the exam content outline and familiarize yourself with the topics that will be covered. This will help you focus your study efforts.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a structured study schedule that fits your learning style and availability. Set realistic goals and milestones to keep yourself on track and motivated.
- Find Your Study Style: Experiment with different study methods to find what works best for you. Are you a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a hands-on learner? Do you prefer focused study sessions or regular short bursts?
When you have chosen the method that fits your learning style, follow these tips:
- Create achievable goals to keep on track.
- Take regular breaks to give you the needed rest and energy to continue going forward.
- Establish a study routine to keep you focused and moving forward.
- Stay positive, visualize, and commit to the idea of success. Your attitude can impact your level of study in achieving the desired outcome. You can do it—you can pass the exam!
Use the wealth of study materials available from PayrollOrg, including courses, textbooks, webinars, and online tools. Supplement these with study groups and practice exams to reinforce your learning. PayrollOrg offers the following testing materials:
How to Prepare for the Exam
You have studied and studied, now you are ready to take the exam. Once you have submitted your exam application and are ready to schedule your examination date and time, be sure to follow these important tips:
- Remember to download and review the Exam Candidate Handbooks for the specific examination, whether that is the FPC or CPP. Keep in mind that by applying, you agree to follow the procedures and policies outlined in the handbooks.
- Make sure to review the FPC or CPP exam content outline to make sure you've covered all the major topics in your studies and feel confident moving forward.
- You have two testing options—taking the FPC or CPP exam in person at one of the Pearson VUE’s testing centers (recommended) or online using OnVUE, Pearson VUE's online proctoring exam delivery system (available for North America residents only).
- Make sure to verify in your Pearson VUE account and email confirmation that the correct date, time, and test center have been selected. If you need to make any changes, you can do so through your Pearson VUE online account or by contacting Pearson VUE directly.
- If there are any needs for special accommodations due to ADA requirements or other health-related issues, they can be requested using the Reasonable Adjustments Request System which is a secure, online system for requesting accommodations and submitting supporting documentation. Special accommodations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and every effort is made to assist before the exam. (Must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the exam.)
- Embrace the use of technology and make sure you feel comfortable using a handheld calculator during the exam.
- Familiarize yourself with Pearson VUE's online testing tutorial to get an idea of what the exam software will be like.
- Remember not to cram study material the night before your exam. Make sure to get a good day and night's rest to feel refreshed and ready.
What to Expect Day of the Exam
The day of the exam is where you can demonstrate your hard work and dedication. Arrive feeling prepared, not just well-studied. Familiarizing yourself with the policies and procedures ahead of time can relieve stress and give you another boost of confidence when walking into the exam. The following will help you know a bit more of what to expect:
- Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. This will give you time to check in and get settled before the exam starts. Along with the check-in process, you will be asked to leave all personal belongings in a locker before entering the examination area (for in-person exams) or remove all personal items from the testing area (for OnVUE online exams).
- Bring Required Documents: Arrive with two forms of identification: 1) A valid primary government-issued ID that matches your full name exactly as it is on the confirmation email; and 2) A valid secondary ID matching your full name and signature to your government ID (this can be a credit card or some other form of formal identification).
- Read Instructions Carefully: Take the time to fully read and understand the instructions provided. This includes how to navigate the exam software and access any provided supplements. Be aware that answering the pre-and-post survey questions does NOT affect the exam results and exam duration in any way.
- Manage Your Time: Make note of the exam duration and plan your time accordingly. Do not dwell too long on a question. If you get stuck on a question, mark it for review and move on.
- Seek Help as Needed: If you encounter any technical issues or have questions, don't hesitate to notify the proctor. They are there to assist you.
- Review Before Submitting: Before ending the exam, go back to any questions you marked for review and make sure you've answered every question. Make a selection for every question, even if you don’t know the correct answer. Points are NOT taken away for a wrong answer choice.
If you're aiming to earn the FPC or CPP designation, taking the first step is crucial. Becoming certified will not only boost your confidence but also add significant value to your career. As you begin the certification process, you'll uncover just how much you already know and realize how much more there is to learn.
The next available exam windows are the following:
- FPC and CPP fall 2024 registration is until October 4. The exam testing window is September 7 – October 5, 2024.
- FPC and CPP spring 2025 registration is November 11, 2024 – April 18, 2025. The exam testing window is January 6 – April 19, 2025.
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.
For information on taking the exam at PayrollOrg’s Learning Center in Las Vegas, internationally, and on military bases, review the FPC and CPP Candidate Handbooks.
For more information on the payroll certification exams, visit the “Certification” tab on PayrollOrg's website or email certification@payroll.org.
Tamicka Crawford is the Assistant Manager of Certification for PayrollOrg.