NAPA Credential

NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant

The Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC™) credential - developed by some of the nation’s leading advisors and retirement plan experts - demonstrates your knowledge, expertise and commitment to working with nonqualified deferred-compensation and executive-compensation plans.

Purchase Package

What is the NQPC?

The NQPC™ credential program provides thorough training and emphasizes the key learning objectives of successfully understanding, managing, and marketing nonqualified compensation plans.

Grow in Your Profession

Consultants who earn their NQPC™ prove they possess the in-depth knowledge required to consult employers on nonqualified plan design and plan financing.

Proven Credibility

Certified Expertise

Advance Your Career

Who should enroll?

This program is designed for consultants or advisors looking to expand their knowledge and grow their revenue through various compensation and incentive plans.

Purchase NQPC™ Package

Module 1: An Introduction to Nonqualified Plans

In this module, you will learn the basics qualified plan consultants need to employ nonqualified plans as an effective business building opportunity.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Understand the fundamentals of recognizing and successfully marketing nonqualified plans

Module 2: Nonqualified Plan Fundamentals

In this module, you will learn about the factors that influence the design of nonqualified (NQ) plans.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Understand the regulatory, operational, and plan design concepts essential for nonqualified plan consultants to know.

Module 3: Plan Design Provisions

In this module, you will learn about the unique provisions of nonqualified plan design.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Highlight the unique provisions of nonqualified plan design such as: types of compensation, deferral election timing, permitted distribution triggers, rules against changing elected deferrals, prohibitions against accelerating benefits, earning crediting methodologies, and vesting.

Module 4: Nonqualified Plan Tax Considerations and Plan Financing

In this module, you will learn about nonqualified plan tax considerations and plan financing for both plan participants and plan sponsors.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Examine plan tax considerations, approaches to plan financing, nonqualified trusts and guarantees, and nonqualified plan errors, corrections and audits.

Module 5: Plan Marketing and Implementation

In this module, you will learn about plan marketing and implementation through the eyes of five (5) consultants as they introduce nonqualified plans to prospective sponsors.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Recognize the stages of marketing a nonqualified plan to a prospective plan sponsor: prospect, approach, discover, model, and create
Identify the plan implementation process, components, and typical timeline
Appraise several key types of nonqualified plans

Module 1: Employer Incentive and Equity Plans

In this module, you will explore nonqualified incentive and equity plans. Incentive and equity plans can be used to build company benefits that incentivize key aspects of performance, thus boosting business goals and rewarding employees for their role in the success of the business.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Compare and contrast different types of plans including: long-term incentive plans (LTIPs), stock appreciation rights (SARs), phantom stock, restricted stock awards (RSAs), restricted stock units (RSUs), incentive stock options (ISOs), nonstatutory options (NSOs)
Identify the incentive or equity plan that would best achieve a client’s primary goals and objectives

Module 2: Life Insurance and Informal Funding of Nonqualified Plans

In this module, you will learn about Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI) can informally fund a nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Identify key attributes of life insurance
Describe the use of life insurance as a method of funding a nonqualified plan
Explore alternative plan design options that might use corporate owned life insurance (COLI) such as: restrictive endorsement bonus arrangements (REBA) and split dollar arrangements

Module 3: Nonprofits and Rabbi Trusts

In this module, you will learn about nonqualified deferred compensation plans within nonprofit organizations.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Describe how IRC 457 governs nonprofit organization nonqualified plans including deferral limits, vesting, taxation, catch-up contributions, and required minimum distributions (RMDs)
Understand that nonprofit organizations compensation reporting on IRS Form 990 can influence nonqualified plan development
Describe key considerations for establishing a Rabbi Trust

Module 4: Income Tax and Accounting

In this module, you will learn about tax implication and accounting considerations for nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Describe the application and calculation of FICA taxation using the special timing rule and the impact of present value versus whole dollar, the non-duplication rule, and potential reporting benefits when income has created Top Hat Status for a plan participant
Explain the two different methodologies of FICA tax reporting available when deferred compensation balances ultimately vest; the lag method and the estimated method
Describe how nondeferred compensation plans are accounted for on the plan sponsor’s balance sheet and income statement

Module 5: Case Studies

In this module, you will review what you have learned by taking a closer look at case studies focusing on 457(f) plans, endorsement split dollar arrangements, collateral assignment split dollar arrangements, options, and COLI versus traditional investments.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Apply the consultative workflow process to case studies
Identify the nonqualified deferred compensation plan that most closely aligns with a client’s goals and objectives

NQPC™ Candidate Handbook

Detailed information on how to earn this credential.

NAPA CE Policy Guide

Everything you need to know about earning CE.

NAPA Exam Policy

Detailed document for taking any credential exam with NAPA.

NQPC Credential Holders

Information for newly credentialed members.

What is the cost of the NQPC™ Designation?

NAPA NQPC™ Modules:

$870 for Non-Members
$0 for Members affiliated with a Firm Partner and Non-members who enroll with an enrollment code from an education partner or by purchasing a NAPA Membership.

NAPA NQPC™ Exam:

$440 for Members/Non-Members*

*NAPA’s Broker-Dealer and RIA Firm Partners are eligible for volume discounts on proctored exams. For group pricing, please contact our Sales Team.

How do I receive an enrollment code?

NAPA and our education partners have distributed enrollment codes to our members and affiliates to provide access to the NQPC online certificate program. Check your email and spam folders if you have not received your code.
NAPA members that have not received an enrollment code can request one by contacting our Customer Care team. Non-members can purchase a NAPA Membership to receive their code.

Who can take the NQPC Education Program?

The NQPC™ Designation is designed for consultants and advisors looking to expand their knowledge and grow their revenue through various compensation and incentive plans. While no specific experience is required, we recommend completing NAPA’s 401(k) Practice Builder Certificate Program, having at least 2 years of experience consulting on nonqualified plans, and completing the NQPC™ education prep course.

How long does it take to complete the NQPC Education Program?

How should I best go about studying?

Do I have to take both NQPC-1 and NQPC-2 to take the exam?

Are there any ongoing fees?

How many Continuing Education (CE) credits are required to maintain my credential?

How do I apply for my credential?

How can I confirm NQPC credential status?

How much CE will I earn by completing the NQPC Prep Course?

I've passed my NQPC Exam and earned my credential. What now?

News

Education

Events

Industry Content

Membership

Get Involved

Partner with NAPA

About

NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant

What is the NQPC?

Grow in Your Profession

What does this mean for you?

Who should enroll?

Curriculum

Module 1: An Introduction to Nonqualified Plans

In this module, you will learn the basics qualified plan consultants need to employ nonqualified plans as an effective business building opportunity.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Understand the fundamentals of recognizing and successfully marketing nonqualified plans

Module 2: Nonqualified Plan Fundamentals

In this module, you will learn about the factors that influence the design of nonqualified (NQ) plans.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Understand the regulatory, operational, and plan design concepts essential for nonqualified plan consultants to know.

Module 3: Plan Design Provisions

In this module, you will learn about the unique provisions of nonqualified plan design.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Highlight the unique provisions of nonqualified plan design such as: types of compensation, deferral election timing, permitted distribution triggers, rules against changing elected deferrals, prohibitions against accelerating benefits, earning crediting methodologies, and vesting.

Module 4: Nonqualified Plan Tax Considerations and Plan Financing

In this module, you will learn about nonqualified plan tax considerations and plan financing for both plan participants and plan sponsors.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Examine plan tax considerations, approaches to plan financing, nonqualified trusts and guarantees, and nonqualified plan errors, corrections and audits.

Module 5: Plan Marketing and Implementation

In this module, you will learn about plan marketing and implementation through the eyes of five (5) consultants as they introduce nonqualified plans to prospective sponsors.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Recognize the stages of marketing a nonqualified plan to a prospective plan sponsor: prospect, approach, discover, model, and create

Identify the plan implementation process, components, and typical timeline

Appraise several key types of nonqualified plans

Module 1: Employer Incentive and Equity Plans

In this module, you will explore nonqualified incentive and equity plans. Incentive and equity plans can be used to build company benefits that incentivize key aspects of performance, thus boosting business goals and rewarding employees for their role in the success of the business.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Compare and contrast different types of plans including: long-term incentive plans (LTIPs), stock appreciation rights (SARs), phantom stock, restricted stock awards (RSAs), restricted stock units (RSUs), incentive stock options (ISOs), nonstatutory options (NSOs)

Identify the incentive or equity plan that would best achieve a client’s primary goals and objectives

Module 2: Life Insurance and Informal Funding of Nonqualified Plans

In this module, you will learn about Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI) can informally fund a nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Identify key attributes of life insurance

Describe the use of life insurance as a method of funding a nonqualified plan

Explore alternative plan design options that might use corporate owned life insurance (COLI) such as: restrictive endorsement bonus arrangements (REBA) and split dollar arrangements

Module 3: Nonprofits and Rabbi Trusts

In this module, you will learn about nonqualified deferred compensation plans within nonprofit organizations.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Describe how IRC 457 governs nonprofit organization nonqualified plans including deferral limits, vesting, taxation, catch-up contributions, and required minimum distributions (RMDs)

Understand that nonprofit organizations compensation reporting on IRS Form 990 can influence nonqualified plan development

Describe key considerations for establishing a Rabbi Trust

Module 4: Income Tax and Accounting

In this module, you will learn about tax implication and accounting considerations for nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Describe the application and calculation of FICA taxation using the special timing rule and the impact of present value versus whole dollar, the non-duplication rule, and potential reporting benefits when income has created Top Hat Status for a plan participant

Explain the two different methodologies of FICA tax reporting available when deferred compensation balances ultimately vest; the lag method and the estimated method

Describe how nondeferred compensation plans are accounted for on the plan sponsor’s balance sheet and income statement

Module 5: Case Studies

In this module, you will review what you have learned by taking a closer look at case studies focusing on 457(f) plans, endorsement split dollar arrangements, collateral assignment split dollar arrangements, options, and COLI versus traditional investments.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Apply the consultative workflow process to case studies

Identify the nonqualified deferred compensation plan that most closely aligns with a client’s goals and objectives

Resources

FAQ