CTP FAQs
- Value
- How To Register
- Preparing for the Exam
- Taking the Exam
- Recertification General Information
- Recertification Deadlines
- Reporting Cycle Information
- Reporting Credits
- Qualified Programs
- Extension Request
- Coronavirus Updates
Value
Q: How does AFP recognize new CTPs?
A: New CTPs for the previous testing window are listed on the AFP website and published in the AFP Exchange magazine. New CTPs are also provided with an Employer Notification Form that can be submitted to AFP to notify an employer or supervisor of your accomplishment. In addition, AFP recognizes new CTPs as part of the Certification Luncheon at the AFP Annual Conference.
Q: What do I need to do to maintain my CTP/CCM certification?
A: CTPs and CCMs are required to earn and report 36 continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification.
Q: How many questions are there for each exam topic?
A: Review the 2023-2025 CTP Test Specifications for more information about the number of questions per CTP exam topic.
How To Register
Q: Do I need to be a member to register for the exam?
A: You are not required to be an AFP member prior to registering for the exam. However, non-members are required to remit the non-member rate for the exam. The non-member rate includes a non-member differential that is applied towards an AFP membership for the calendar year.
Q: How do I determine if I am eligible to take the exam?
A: The professional experience requirement to earn the CTP credential is a minimum of two years full-time work experience in a career-based cash/treasury management or corporate finance-related position. Positions such as internships, vacation/holiday employment or volunteer positions do not qualify in meeting the full-time experience requirement.
Candidates may enroll in the Certified Treasury Professional program and begin taking the exam before the Education and Experience Requirements have been fully satisfied, but will not be awarded the credential until all requirements have been met. You must complete these program requirements by your application expiration date. Applications are valid for six consecutive testing windows. If you are unable to complete the program requirements and earn your certification within this time frame, you must pay the new applicant fees and retake the exam.
Q: I don't think my graduate school transcripts will be delivered by the deadline. Can I fax a copy to AFP?
A: Yes. A copy of your graduate school transcripts can be faxed to AFP at 301.907.2864 or emailed to [email protected].
Q: If I have a graduate degree, do I need to complete the work experience portion of the exam application?
A: Yes. Since exam candidates are required to report at least one year of work experience, the work experience portion of the application will need to be completed and submitted by all candidates.
Q: What is the deadline to cancel my appointment with the testing center to ensure that I do not incur the $90 "no show" penalty?
A: If you cannot make your appointment or you are submitting a deferral request to move your exam to the next testing window, your exam appointment must be canceled with Pearson VUE at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
Q: What is the difference between the standard and final registration deadlines?
A: For exam candidates submitting a new application after the standard deadline, and by the final deadline, the cost for the exam increases by $100.
Q: How can I determine if my application and eligibility information has been accepted and approved?
A: You will receive a letter confirming approval of your CTP exam registration and Authorization to Test (ATT) approximately one week after submission of your application and payment or, if you are applying for a future testing window, approximately 2 weeks after the current testing window closes. AFP will contact any candidate with any application or payment issues that may delay this approval process.
Q: Why should I schedule my exam appointment in the early part of the exam window rather than the latter part of the window?
A: When scheduling your appointment, you should consider a date early in the window rather than the last week of the window. Should an unexpected job or personal responsibility require you to cancel your appointment to test early in the window, you will have more flexibility when rescheduling your appointment. Candidates who have appointments late in the testing window are frequently lose their eligibility and have to submit a re-registration request and fee to take the exam in the next testing window when they find that no last minute appointments are available during their current testing window. Note: Deferrals are for special circumstances only. Please see the Deferrals page for more information.
Q: How can I submit my application?
A: A CTP exam application can be submitted online.
Q: Does my work experience have to be in treasury/cash management to qualify?
A: No. Your work experience must be in the corporate finance profession, but it is not required that this experience be in treasury/cash management.
Preparing for the Exam
Q: Does the new applicant fee include a copy of the Essentials of Treasury Management textbook?
A: No. AFP provides exam candidates with the ability to purchase the study materials which best suit their needs. Should you opt to use the Essentials textbook for studying, you would be required to indicate this choice on your application and remit the additional fees.
Q: How many questions are there for each exam topic?
A: Review the 2020-2022 CTP Test Specifications for more information about the number of questions per CTP exam topic.
Q: Besides the Exam Prep Platform and the Essentials textbook, what other study materials/options does AFP offer?
A: AFP offers a variety of supplemental study options for CTP exam preparation, including:
- CTP Examination Preparation Guide. This guide includes helpful test-taking techniques as well as 150 sample exam questions.
- University Courses. To supplement the individual learning offered in the self-directed Exam Prep Platform program, AFP has partnered with several universities to offer this program as part of an instructor-led course. For a current listing of participating universities and information on registering for these programs, please visit the AFP Education section.
- Regional AFP/TMA Meetings. Regional associations often offer a CTP review course as part of their conferences. View contact and Web information for these regional associations.
Q: What are the advantages of the Exam Prep Platform over the Essentials textbook?
A: The CTP Exam Prep Platform provides an online program which allows users to assess their knowledge of the exam content areas. Through 20 hours of video, knowledge checks, practice tests and flashcards, users have access to over 900 exam-grade questions that simulate the CTP test environment. EPP users also have the ability to track their performance and are provided with feedback when answering questions incorrectly.
Q: If I purchase the CTP Exam Prep Platform, should I also purchase the Essentials textbook?
A: Only if you need a printed copy for reading. The CTP Exam Prep Platform contains all the items in Essentials but only in a digital format. When you make a purchase of the Exam Prep Platform, there is an option to add Essentials to your bundle.
Taking the Exam
Q: What is the deadline to cancel my appointment with the testing center to ensure that I do not incur the $90 "no show" penalty?
A: If you cannot make your appointment or if you are submitting a deferral request to move your exam to the next testing window, your exam appointment must be canceled with Pearson VUE at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
Q: I passed the exam. When will I receive my certificate?
A: Approximately 4-5 weeks after passing the exam, newly certified CTPs will receive an email from our certificate partner, The Award Group. You will be able to verify your mailing address and confirm that the information on your certificate is correct. Certificates are mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after you have confirmed the information. You will receive an email when the certificate is mailed.
Q: I took the exam and did not pass. How do I re-register?
A: You can re-register for an upcoming testing window by submitting a Re-Registration Form and remitting the $250 re-registration fee. Exam registrations are good for three years or six testing windows from the original application date. If you are within three years or six testing windows of your original application, you qualify for Re-Registration. Otherwise, please complete a new application, available in the Certification Candidate Handbook.
Q: I previously canceled my exam registration and was refunded a portion of the new applicant fee. Do I need to submit the full new applicant fee again to re-apply?
A: Yes. If you canceled your first exam registration and received a refund, you are required to submit the full new applicant fee again. If you canceled a re-registration and received a refund, you are only required to submit the Re-Registration Form and then remit the $250 re-registration fee.
Q: I registered for a testing window but did not sit for the exam or cancel or defer my registration with AFP by the indicated deadline. How do I re-register for an upcoming exam?
A: You would be required to submit a Re-Registration Form and remit the $250 re-registration fee to re-register for an upcoming testing window. However, if you made an appointment to take the exam but failed to cancel it at least 24 hours in advance, you would also need to remit the $90 no-show fee.
Q: Can I take the exam more than once in a testing window?
A: No. Exam candidates are allowed to take the exam only once during their scheduled testing window. To retake the exam, you are required to submit a Re-Registration Form for the next testing window. This is a security policy and there are no exceptions to this policy.
Q: How many times can I retake the exam?
A: AFP does not limit the number of times an exam candidate can retake the exam.
Q: How much will I be refunded if submitting a cancellation request by the deadline?
A: New applicants are refunded a portion of the new applicant fee of their exam registration. Any application or non-member differential fees are non-refundable. Re-registration candidates are refunded the full re-registration fee, minus a $100 processing fee.
Q: What is the deadline to submit a cancellation request and receive a refund?
A: To receive a refund, cancellation requests must be submitted to AFP by the cancellation deadline which is two weeks before the start of the window for which you are registered.
Q: What is the deadline to submit a deferral request?
A: Requests to defer your exam must be submitted to AFP with any applicable fees by the last day of your registered testing window.
Q: Can I transfer my registration to the next testing window?
A: Transfers are no longer available. That option was eliminated when the Re-Registration fee was reduced beginning with the 2019A testing window.
Q: I cannot sit for the testing window I'm registered in and do not qualify for a deferral. How do I register for a later testing window?
A:If you choose not to sit in the window for which you are registered, you are required to submit a CTP Re-Registration Form and remit the $250 re-registration fee to register for a later testing window.
Q: I have recently changed employers or moved. Who do I need to contact to ensure that I receive my testing information?
A: Please make certain to inform AFP of any address or contact information changes. Updates can be submitted to AFP by email at [email protected] or by calling 301.907.2862, or you can update the information yourself by logging on to the AFP site and going to the My AFP area.
Q: Can I schedule a testing appointment directly with AFP?
A: No. Testing appointments can only be made through PearsonVUE, either by phone or through their Web site.
Q. Can I check to see if the testing center has availability on a certain day before I submit a registration form?
A: No, Pearson Vue permits only candidates with Authorizations to Test access to appointment information. CTP is not the only testing program to use Pearson Vue Testing Centers, so for best appointment availability, schedule your appointment as soon as you receive your ATT. However, there is no guarantee that a particular day or time will be available.
Q: How close does my ATT have to match the identification I present at the testing center?
A: Your last name should match exactly. Commonly accepted variations on first and middle names will be accepted. Middle initials are also acceptable. A complete list is included in the CTP Rules & Regulations.
Q: I've registered for the exam. How do I make a testing appointment?
A: Approximately 2-4 weeks after submitting your application you will receive via email an eligibility letter including your Authorization to Test (ATT) from AFP. Your ATT will include information needed to schedule an appointment.
Q: Why should I schedule my exam appointment in the early part of the exam window rather than the latter part of the window?
A: When scheduling your appointment, you should consider a date early in the window rather than the last week of the window. Should an unexpected job or personal responsibility require you to cancel your appointment to test early in the window, you will have more flexibility when rescheduling your appointment. Candidates who have appointments late in the testing window are frequently lose their eligibility and have to submit a re-registration request and fee to take the exam in the next testing window when they find that no last minute appointments are available during their current testing window. Note: Deferrals are for special circumstances only. Please see the Deferrals page for more information.
Q: What is the passing score for the exam?
A: The exam is based on a scaled score. In this case, each question is worth one point. Your raw score is converted through a statistical formula, to a scaled score which allows for all examinees to be judged on a level playing field when taking different forms of the exam. Scaled scoring is commonly used by most certification organizations that offer multiple forms of an exam.
Therefore, we cannot indicate an exact number or percentage of questions that need to be answered correctly to pass the exam. As there is no penalty for incorrect answers, we recommend trying to answer each question to the best of your ability.
Q: What situations qualify for a deferral?
A: Deferral requests are submitted by exam candidates who have a medical and/or family emergency which prevents them from taking the exam. Please see the Deferral page for the complete guidelines.
Q: Am I assigned a testing date/time or can I select one on my own?
A: Exam candidates have the option of scheduling an exam appointment for any day during the 60-day testing window. Scheduling is limited only by the availability at the requested testing center. To ensure that you can schedule a day and time that works best for you, make certain to schedule an appointment immediately after receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT).
Q: I cannot take the exam in my registered testing window. How do I move my registration so I can sit in a later testing window?
A: If you cannot take your exam in the window which you are registered because a medical or personal emergency a deferral request must be submitted to AFP to move your exam registration. Only one deferral will be accepted per candidate. Candidates submitting a deferral request will be moved to the next testing window only. If you have already scheduled a testing appointment, you must also contact the testing center and cancel your test date with 48 hours notice.
If your circumstance does not qualify for a deferral you will need to submit a Re-Registration Form and fee to move your eligibility to a future window.
Recertification General Information
Q: I earned the CTP/CCM certification but did not complete the continuing education requirement of reporting recertification credits and my certification has been revoked. How do I reinstate my certification?
A: If your CTP or CCM designation has lapsed you will need to submit an appeal to the AFP Certification Committee within two years of the end of your certification cycle. Your appeal must include a letter describing the reasons for the lapse in reporting continuing education credits, the Recertification Reporting form listing all outstanding credits, supporting documentation for all activities being reported, the recertification fee, the Reinstatement Appeal form and reinstatement fee. If your appeal is not received by the two-year deadline, you will be required to submit a new examination application, remit the appropriate new applicant fee, pass the exam and then abide by the recertification policy in effect at the time the CTP or CTP(CD) designation is reinstated. Reinstatement is a one-time option. If, after being reinstated, your certification is revoked a second time, you will be required to register for and pass the current CTP exam. Complete Reinstatement instructions and forms can be found on the recertification page.
Q: How long is my certification valid for before I have to recertify?
A: Certification is valid for three years.
Q: What do I need to do to maintain my CTP/CCM certification?
A: CTPs and CCMs are required to earn and report 36 continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification.
Q: Am I required to maintain my AFP membership to maintain my CTP or CCM certification?
A: No. While we recommend retaining your AFP membership, it is not required to maintain your certification. Please note, however, that the cost to recertify as a non-member is higher than that for an AFP member.
Recertification Deadlines
Q: Do I have to wait until the end of my recertification cycle to submit my credits?
A: No. Credits can be reported at any time after the required 36 credits have been earned. Please note that your credit reporting does not affect your recertification cycle dates.
Q: What is the deadline to submit my recertification information?
A: The recertification reporting form and fee must be submitted no later than October 15 of the last year of your recertification cycle.
Reporting Cycle Information
Q: I took the exam in the December/January testing window. Since my first recertification cycle starts on July 1 of the examination year, can I apply credits earned for activities completed prior to taking the exam?
A: Yes. Any activities completed as of July 1 of your examination year will retroactively qualify towards your first recertification cycle.
Q: When does my recertification cycle start and when does it end?
A: All recertification cycles run from July 1 of your examination year to June 30 of the third year. For example, if you sat in the June/July 2013 (2013A) or December 2013/January 2014 (2013B) testing window, your first cycle will run July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016. Subsequent recertification cycles will follow the three year period established by your initial cycle. Please refer to your Certificate of Achievement or your summary page in the Online Recertification Resource Center for your current recertification cycle end date.
Q: I was a permanent CCM and I transitioned to the CTP. What is my first CTP recertification cycle?
A: Initial CTP recertification cycles for all formerly-permanent CCMs begin July 1 of the year you transitioned.
Reporting Credits
Q: How do I calculate the number of credits I earn for an activity or program?
A: Most programs, including conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, teleconferences, and cyberconferences qualify for one credit per 50 minutes of attendance at qualified educational sessions. Independent study programs also qualify for one credit per 50 minutes of instruction and are based on the average completion time determined by the sponsoring organization. Presenters, teachers and lecturers earn 2 credits per 50 minutes of instruction. To calculate credits divide the total number of qualified minutes by 50. Do not round down.
Q: I have earned more than 36 credits during my current recertification cycle. Can I apply these additional credits to my next cycle?
A: No. CTPs and CCMs can only report credits earned after the start of a recertification cycle. Therefore, any additional credits earned during your current cycle cannot be applied to your next cycle. However, it is a good practice to report all credits earned in a cycle in the AFP Recertification Portal.
Q: Is there a limit on how many credits I can earn in a year?
A: No. However, some program types do limit how many credits you can report during a cycle. These credit limits are listed in the Recertification Program Category descriptions.
Q: How do I report recertification credits to AFP?
A: Recertification credits should be reported online with the AFP Recertification Portal, or they may be submitted on a CTP and CCM Recertification Reporting Form.
Qualified Programs
Q: I recently attended a program that qualified for CPE credits. Will this program also qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits?
A: Finance, accounting, and ethics-related programs which qualify for CPE credits will also qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits. Other CPE-approved topic areas, such as business management, are not approved for CTP/CCM credits.
Q: Are there different criteria for a program to qualify for the CTP as opposed to the CCM?
A: No. The continuing education requirements for both the CTP and CCM are the same.
Q: Does a program have to be pre-approved by AFP to qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits?
A: No. If a program meets the qualifications for CTP/CCM credits, it is not required that the program be pre-approved by AFP. However, if you are a provider or sponsor of finance-related continuing education activities and would like to promote approval of your program for CTP/CCM credits, you are required to submit a AFP Sponsor Program Registration application.
Q: What topics qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits?
A: AFP accepts credits earned from finance, treasury/cash management, accounting, economics, and ethics-related continuing education activities. All finance-related programs or activities qualify for CTP and CCM credits. EXCEPT: Sessions specific to organizational products and/or sales OR Fundamental or introductory courses in finance or cash/treasury management
Q: Why do certain program types have limits on how many credits can be reported in a recertification cycle?
A: AFP restricts credit reporting for those program types which typically provide a CTP or CCM with a limited scope of additional, industry-applicable knowledge.
Q: Where do I find a listing of the types of programs that qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits?
A: A listing of program types that qualify for CTP and CCM credits is available in the Recertification Reporting Guidelines.
Extension Request
Q: I will not meet the 36 credit requirement by the June 30 recertification cycle end date. What is the deadline to submit an extension request?
A: An extension request, which must be submitted with recertification reporting form and fee, must be submitted no later than June 30 of the third year of your recertification cycle.
Q: I have previously requested an extension and have completed the required credits. How do I report this information to AFP?
A: After completing the additional credits necessary, submit a CTP and CCM Recertification Reporting Form indicating the additional credits and remit the recertification fee.
PLEASE NOTE: The CTP Exam Will Be Unavailable in Quebec After December 31, 2023.
Lance Peacock, CTP - Treasury Manager, Covenant Dove, LLC
CTP Exam Deadlines
For June 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024 Window
- Early Application Deadline
March 20, 2024
- Final Application Deadline
April 24, 2024
