What is an APRP?

An Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) is an individual who has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of risk management strategies, concepts and mitigation techniques within the payments ecosystem. Earning the APRP credential demonstrates a mastery of the complexities of risk management for ACH, check, wire, debit, credit and prepaid cards and emerging and alternative payments.

Nacha's APRP Page

Why should you become an APRP?

Effectively managing payments risk is crucial for organizations that provide payment services, such as financial institutions and businesses. As an individual, your accreditation demonstrates to your employer that you’re committed to your profession, which can provide opportunities for personal career growth. It validates to regulators and examiners that your financial institution or company is committed to risk management and regulatory compliance. Once you have your accreditation, you’ll become the “go-to” expert in the critical and nuanced areas of risk management across payment types.

How do you become an APRP?

APRPs must pass the Accredited Payments Risk Professional Exam administered by Nacha. The exam is offered annually during a four-week test window in the July-August timeframe. Administered electronically at various test locations across the country, the exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. For more information, visit www.nacha.org.

Click the button below to learn more about the AAP accreditation process and our APRP Prep Program in our informational video, So You Think You Want to be an APRP?

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How do you prepare for the APRP Exam?

The APRP Prep Program is designed to assist you in preparing for the APRP exam. Instructed via webinar, students will examine the key subjects of the APRP exam including payments systems, fundamentals of payments risk management, payments risk policy and governance, regulatory environment, payments risk management systems and controls and physical and information security. Registration for the program typically closes in April. For a high-level overview of the APRP Prep Program, download APRP Prep Program General Information PDF using the button below.

Need management approval before you start preparing for the APRP exam? Download our APRP Prep Program Justification Letter as a Word document you can modify.

How do you maintain your APRP?

An APRP must earn 60 approved continuing education credits, with no more than 20 credits earned in any one year, during the five-year accreditation period to retain their accreditation without having to retake the exam. It is the responsibility of the participant to submit credits to Nacha each year as appropriate.

Download our How to Maintain Your APRP Certification document to learn more about the reporting guidelines and to track your credits.

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