CPC Program
The National Standard of Excellence in Preplanning Since 1997
The mission of the Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) program is to promote expertise and professionalism in advance funeral planning by recognizing those individuals who have met certain predetermined qualifications and demonstrated their knowledge of prearrangement standards through the CPC examination.The CPC designation:
• Promotes advance funeral planning to the public
• Enhances your credibility and professionalism
• Ensures recognition of your arrangement expertise
• Adds value to your relationships with families
The CPC Program is accredited by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) and by the licensing boards of most states and provinces. This does not replace your state’s licensing requirement, but is an added level of education to support your professional development.
Cost
$445
$575
$445
Self-Study Program
Steps to earn your Certified Preplanning Consultant credential:
- 1. Review the CPC eligibility requirements.
- 2. Complete and submit your CPC Application with payment. Download the Self-Study Application
- 3. Once approved, the Certified Preplanning Consultant Standards Manual will be emailed to you.
- 4. Complete and submit the short review tests at the end of each chapter for grading via email.
- 5. Final exam is completed online.
- 6. After passing the exam, you’ll receive the CPC award package which includes a variety of materials to help you promote and use your new credential.
- You must complete the course within six months of enrollment. Questions? Please contact NFDA at 262-789-1880 or nfda@nfda.org.
What’s Covered?
Chapters in the CPC manual cover the following topics:
1. Funeral Preplanning Principles
2. The Funeral Rule
3. Ethics in Preplanning
4. Funding Options
5. Contract Standards
6. Attentive Listening Skills
7. Marketing Principles
8. Customer Service Excellence
9. Consultative Sales
10. Creating Meaningful Ceremonies
The whole course was fantastic! As someone who does better with online courses, I am happy that this was an option to obtain my certificate!
The CPC credential lets me assure families, with confidence, that I am an expert in preplanning services. Families can feel comfortable knowing that I will be their advocate for any preplanning needs.
Eligibility Requirements
Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC)
- Eligible and permitted by state law to preplan funerals with the public and currently employed in the preplanning field. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Funeral directors; no employment minimum in preplanning field.
- Non-funeral directors: verifiable 12-month minimum employment in preplanning field prior to date of application and currently employed in field.
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NFDA’s Certified Preplanning Consultant certification recognizes individuals who have met predetermined qualifications and demonstrated their knowledge through the CPC standards examination.
CPC certification is not designed to determine who is qualified or who shall engage in advance funeral planning, but rather to promote the integrity and professionalism of those who are eligible to sell or assist in the sale of preneed goods and services under applicable state laws.
CPC certification can be a valuable credentialing milestone because it demonstrates commitment to preplanning as a career choice. In relationship building with families, certification unmistakably adds value.
CPC Renewal Policy
Every Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) or Associate CPC pledges to abide by the following commitment included in the CPC Code of Ethics:
“I will continue my professional education in this field.”
To demonstrate ongoing commitment to learning as well as accountability and dedication as a Certified Preplanning Consultant or Associate CPC, the National Funeral Directors Association requires that a CPC or Associate CPC must renew his or her certification every four years.
This may be accomplished by satisfying specific renewal requirements including submission of:
1. Certification renewal application (including attestation that you have adhered to the NFDA Code of Ethics and met all criteria of the CPC Statement of Use and that you will continue to do so);
2.Verified summary of participation in a specified number of hours of continuing education and service activities; and
3. Renewal fee.
“I will continue my professional education in this field.”
To demonstrate ongoing commitment to learning as well as accountability and dedication as a Certified Preplanning Consultant or Associate CPC, the National Funeral Directors Association requires that a CPC or Associate CPC must renew his or her certification every four years.
This may be accomplished by satisfying specific renewal requirements including submission of:
1. Certification renewal application (including attestation that you have adhered to the NFDA Code of Ethics and met all criteria of the CPC Statement of Use and that you will continue to do so);
2.Verified summary of participation in a specified number of hours of continuing education and service activities; and
3. Renewal fee.
Every four years, your CPC renewal date is the last day of the month prior to the month of original certification.
Example:
Original certification: May 1, 2020
Renewal deadline: April 30, 2024
Three to four months prior to their renewal date, individuals will receive a reminder notice. If the renewal documents and fee are not received by the renewal date, a final reminder will be sent.
Example:
Original certification: May 1, 2020
Renewal deadline: April 30, 2024
Three to four months prior to their renewal date, individuals will receive a reminder notice. If the renewal documents and fee are not received by the renewal date, a final reminder will be sent.
The grace period for submitting renewal requirements is three months from the renewal due date. If NFDA does not receive renewal requirements by the last day of that three-month grace period, the individual’s certification will lapse, and he or she will be required to apply for reinstatement. A $75 reinstatement fee will be assessed in addition to the renewal fee. There may be additional requirements.
Failure to comply with renewal requirements may result in postponed or denied certification renewal until all conditions are met. If a renewing candidate is unable to complete any of the requirements, NFDA must be notified in writing.
Applications for renewal will be reviewed upon receipt by designated NFDA staff. Recommendations for renewal are subject to final approval by the NFDA Executive Board. Upon approval, an updated certificate package will be mailed. Any challenges to renewal decisions must be in writing and directed to the NFDA Executive Board. CPC records are maintained at the NFDA office in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2008
This official CPC certification renewal policy established by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) supersedes any previously published certification renewal policies or related information regarding renewal by the former National Foundation of Funeral Service, Funeral Service Educational Foundation or Funeral Service Foundation or NFDA and affects all CPCs and Associate CPCs, starting with those certified in March of 1996.
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2008
This official CPC certification renewal policy established by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) supersedes any previously published certification renewal policies or related information regarding renewal by the former National Foundation of Funeral Service, Funeral Service Educational Foundation or Funeral Service Foundation or NFDA and affects all CPCs and Associate CPCs, starting with those certified in March of 1996.
COMPLETE AND SIGN the following renewal documents:
APPLICATION (including attestation that you have adhered to the NFDA Code of Ethics and met all criteria of the CPC Statement of Use and that you will continue to do so)
SUMMARY of CE and Professional Development Activities
SUBMIT VERIFICATIONS as required.
SUBMIT 4-YEAR RENEWAL FEE of $220, payable to NFDA in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank.
SEND ITEMS 1-3 to:
CPC Renewal Coordinator
National Funeral Directors Association
13625 Bishop’s Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005-6607
Call NFDA at 262-789-1880 with any questions.
APPLICATION (including attestation that you have adhered to the NFDA Code of Ethics and met all criteria of the CPC Statement of Use and that you will continue to do so)
SUMMARY of CE and Professional Development Activities
SUBMIT VERIFICATIONS as required.
SUBMIT 4-YEAR RENEWAL FEE of $220, payable to NFDA in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank.
SEND ITEMS 1-3 to:
CPC Renewal Coordinator
National Funeral Directors Association
13625 Bishop’s Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005-6607
Call NFDA at 262-789-1880 with any questions.
1. APPLICATION for Renewal of Certification
2. SUMMARY of CE and Professional Development Activities
Application for Renewal of Certification and CPC Professional Development Summary
On this form, candidates must list:
allowable continuing education and
allowable service activities to meet the renewal requirement of 24 total contact hours over 4 years.
3. VERIFICATION of CE and Allowable Service Activities
Allowable programs and activities follow below. Call NFDA with questions about the suitability of specific educational programs or activities if you are uncertain about them.
If you are licensed in a state that does not require continuing education credits, contact NFDA if you have any questions about meeting CPC renewal requirements.
Verification Examples
Certificate of attendance and back-up material such as a program brochure, announcement, confirmation on letterhead, etc. OR copy of a school progress report or other approved document verifying satisfactory completion of the course or attendance at the event. Other means to verify completion may be accepted depending on the activity (such as a copy of a published article from its publication source).
For those who do not need CE for funeral service or insurance re-licensure:
You may complete continuing education renewal requirements by attending funeral and/or preplanning related courses or programs offered by local schools and colleges, by employers, by associations, at public seminars, conventions, etc., and through NFDA distance learning professional development programs. Call NFDA with any questions.
2. SUMMARY of CE and Professional Development Activities
Application for Renewal of Certification and CPC Professional Development Summary
On this form, candidates must list:
allowable continuing education and
allowable service activities to meet the renewal requirement of 24 total contact hours over 4 years.
3. VERIFICATION of CE and Allowable Service Activities
Allowable programs and activities follow below. Call NFDA with questions about the suitability of specific educational programs or activities if you are uncertain about them.
If you are licensed in a state that does not require continuing education credits, contact NFDA if you have any questions about meeting CPC renewal requirements.
Verification Examples
Certificate of attendance and back-up material such as a program brochure, announcement, confirmation on letterhead, etc. OR copy of a school progress report or other approved document verifying satisfactory completion of the course or attendance at the event. Other means to verify completion may be accepted depending on the activity (such as a copy of a published article from its publication source).
For those who do not need CE for funeral service or insurance re-licensure:
You may complete continuing education renewal requirements by attending funeral and/or preplanning related courses or programs offered by local schools and colleges, by employers, by associations, at public seminars, conventions, etc., and through NFDA distance learning professional development programs. Call NFDA with any questions.
Complete a related continuing education program, seminar or workshop through a funeral service association, insurance industry association, convention, conference, meeting, etc.
Complete a related home study program through the National Funeral Directors Association or other approved CE resources.
Complete another program or course through related associations, foundations or regulatory agencies.
Complete a related course at an accredited school, mortuary school, community college, other institution of higher learning or through community adult education programs or APFSP or insurance-approved vendors.
Complete a related company training program or in-house training.
Complete a related home study program through the National Funeral Directors Association or other approved CE resources.
Complete another program or course through related associations, foundations or regulatory agencies.
Complete a related course at an accredited school, mortuary school, community college, other institution of higher learning or through community adult education programs or APFSP or insurance-approved vendors.
Complete a related company training program or in-house training.
Maximum of 4 “service activity” contact hours per year are allowable toward the requirement. Each activity counts as 2 hours. Examples follow:
1. Present a related program at a funeral business, school, civic or community club, church, library, hospice, convention, conference, seminar, hospital, clinic, etc.
2. Write a published article to help consumers and/or peers or other practitioners understand related topics.
3. Serve on a committee of a funeral service, insurance, or funeral-service affiliated association or organization.
4. Attend a related professional meeting such as a convention, conference, association meeting, etc.
5. Membership in local, district, state, regional or national association and regular attendance at these meetings.
6. Service in a civic organization.
1. Present a related program at a funeral business, school, civic or community club, church, library, hospice, convention, conference, seminar, hospital, clinic, etc.
2. Write a published article to help consumers and/or peers or other practitioners understand related topics.
3. Serve on a committee of a funeral service, insurance, or funeral-service affiliated association or organization.
4. Attend a related professional meeting such as a convention, conference, association meeting, etc.
5. Membership in local, district, state, regional or national association and regular attendance at these meetings.
6. Service in a civic organization.
Hear it From Our Attendees!
Certification is a sign to our community of our desire to be the best practitioners in our profession, to protect the consumer, employees and our business by our continued learning and implementation of the material.
Recipients and Employers Say it Best
*State CE approval varies. All NFDA online courses are approved for continuing education by the Academy of
Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) and most state licensing boards. Contact your state licensing board or
NFDA for specific state CE information.
Presented educational material does not denote that NFDA endorses, recommends or supports the opinions expressed
by the presenter or author. The content presented is informational only. For specific legal or compliance advice
contact your firm’s legal counsel. NFDA does not warrant the accuracy of any of the information presented, and
NFDA shall not be liable for the actions or inactions of funeral establishment owners, managers or employees in respect to the information presented in this educational product.
Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) and most state licensing boards. Contact your state licensing board or
NFDA for specific state CE information.
Presented educational material does not denote that NFDA endorses, recommends or supports the opinions expressed
by the presenter or author. The content presented is informational only. For specific legal or compliance advice
contact your firm’s legal counsel. NFDA does not warrant the accuracy of any of the information presented, and
NFDA shall not be liable for the actions or inactions of funeral establishment owners, managers or employees in respect to the information presented in this educational product.
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