Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) Certification Program

The Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) program is specifically designed for individuals preparing to take the inaugural AFPP exam in 2025. To become an AFPP, one must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of instant payment methods in the U.S., including understanding and experience with one or more faster payments network rails, as well as a broad grasp of concepts related to the payments system as a whole. Given the challenging nature of the AFPP exam, SFE is here to support your study and preparation efforts, helping you achieve success in this critical professional milestone.

Earning the Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) Designation

To become an Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP), individuals must successfully pass a comprehensive, nationally administered exam offered annually. The AFPP exam encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including fundamentals of faster payments, operational and process flow considerations, risk management strategies, technological aspects, and governance frameworks pertinent to faster payments. Specifically, the exam covers payment rails such as the ACH Network (including Same Day ACH), FedNow, RTP, and Push-to-Card Debit Card Networks.

Both Nacha and SFE highly encourage prospective AFPP candidates to participate in an exam preparation course to best prepare yourself for a successful exam.

The inaugural AFPP Exam will be administered in 2025, and registration for the first year is capped at 250 registrants. You may want to secure your exam registration before enrolling in the Exam Prep Series, although you can still register for the Exam Prep Series even if you do not secure an exam registration.