What is an AAP?

Accredited ACH Professionals (AAPs) are an elite group of highly-skilled payments professionals nationally recognized for their electronic payments expertise, particularly within the field of Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments. AAPs are especially versed in managing ACH operations, interpreting ACH Rules and regulations, developing ACH products, selling ACH products and services and more. Financial institution examiners and other users of the ACH Network accept the AAP certification as a mark identifying individuals who are dedicated to and serious about their profession.

Nacha's AAP Page

Why should you become an AAP?

AAPs have a critical knowledge base that is valuable to any organization. Having an AAP on staff enables organizations with the expertise needed to plan payments strategies and manage payments services, an essential role in day-to-day operations. AAPs can also help organizations mitigate loss, risk and fraud and increase operational processes. As an AAP, you will be recognized throughout the payments industry as a subject-matter expert, as the "go-to" payments professional within your organization and as an individual who has gone the extra mile to become an expert in the field.

How do you become an AAP?

AAPs must pass the Accredited ACH Professional Exam administered by Nacha. The exam is offered annually during a three-week test window in October. 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 AAP Prep Program in our informational video.

Watch Now

How do you prepare for the AAP Exam?

EPCOR has designed an intensive preparation curriculum with tools to better prepare you for the AAP exam. Our highly successful and interactive AAP Prep Program includes instruction via a combination of webinars, on-demand training, in-person classroom learning, assessment tests and resource materials. Learn from instructors who went through the study and testing process themselves. Registration for the program typically closes in May. For a high-level overview of the AAP Prep Program, download AAP Prep Program General Information PDF using the button below.

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

How do you maintain your AAP?

An AAP must earn 60 approved continuing education credits, with no more than 20 credits earned in any one year, during the five-year accreditation period. AAPs also have the option to retest during the fourth or fifth year. The majority of EPCOR's educational offerings are eligible for AAP continuing education credits. It is the responsibility of the participant to submit credits to Nacha each year as appropriate.

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

Download Now