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Considering the NCP - Program Details

The National Check Payments Certification (NCPC) is a premier accreditation which enables career enhancement opportunities for the payment professional who earns and maintains it through its continuing education program.

This national certification is open to all individuals across the U.S.  So, when considering the NCPC, we recommend you have at minimum at 2+ years’ experience in the financial services industry with a desire to expand your knowledge in check payments operations. 

The NCP Exam covers four main categories and associated knowledge areas related to check payments:

Rules, Laws & Regulations | Fraud and Risk Mitigation | Check Operations | Check Products

Once the NCP designation is earned, there are Continuing Education requirements that must be obtained to maintain the certification. Once these requirements are met for each period, the designation will continue to be automatically renewed.   

Join the 1000+ payments industry professionals that have earned this elite accreditation and Be Recognized!

3-hour computer-based exam   |   120 multiple choice questions (100 scored)  |   Nationwide test centers |  Online proctoring

NCP Steps to Success

Registration Details:

Exam Blueprint: View the categories covered on the NCP Exam

 

Upcoming Exam Window: Saturday, April 19 – Saturday, May 10, 2025 (registration deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025)

 

Pricing: $500 ECCHO Member / Sponsoring Organization / Education Subscribers ~ $625 Non-Members | Validate Membership | Validate Sponsorship

              Exam fee includes access to the new practice test, for more information click here

Payment: Due upon registration or you may choose to be invoiced. Most major credit cards accepted. [Pearson VUE code will not be provided until exam registration is paid in full.]

Substitutions: May replace a test-taker with another candidate up to 2 weeks prior to opening of exam window. After that, a substitute test-taker’s registration is automatically transferred to the next exam year.

NCP Program Policies and Procedures

 Register Here

 

Study, Study, Study

You will receive an email from TCH/ECCHO containing instructions on how to access to the following items to begin your journey towards earning your NCP.

Study Center A collection of resources to help with studying for the exam

NCP Roadmap Recommended path to a successful study plan 

Jump Start Reading Program Get a head start on studying

Get a Guide Let a current NCP help you navigate your journey

Partner Resources See how 72% of individuals who received Payments Association/Partner training successfully pass the NCP exam.

 

Set Test Appointment with Pearson VUE 

Pearson VUE website opens for testing seats approx. 3 weeks before testing window opens. 

NCP Program Administration provides details to set an exam appointment with Pearson VUE along with the individual’s registration ID code. (Note: Pearson VUE code not provided until exam registration payment is received)

Exam registrant completes Pearson VUE process online to select desired date/location for testing nationwide (testing centers) OR exam registrant can register for OnVue online proctoring https://home.pearsonvue.com/eccho/onvue.

The NCP Program is the first national accreditation of its kind to provide online proctoring. The links below provide in-depth information about OnVue Online: 
Recording | PDF | Website | ECCHO FAQs

 

 

View your Results

Each examinee will receive immediate exam results at the Pearson VUE testing center or OnVue online. 

Individual reports are provided to each examinee via email from the NCP Program Administration office. All exam results are based on an accumulated total of the questions and indicate only a “pass or no pass” status. Individual scores or results for specific questions are not provided.

Note: Individual examinee reports include helpful information including an indication of performance in each of the four exam blueprint categories relative to the number of questions in that category.

New enhancement in 2024: Retesting offering for those who are unable to pass the exam on their first attempt.  Specific requirements must be met to qualify for this one-time retest option!

For details on the requirements, see Retest Offering information.

Recognize Your NCPs

We know how hard you worked to achieve your NCP. Now there is an annual day to celebrate and earn free NCP CE credits doing it! NCP must file for NCP CE credit recognition during the filing window and participation must be validated.  Live or recorded sessions eligible for credits.

National NCP Day
Join us live in 2024 for the next class celebration and education session

To view previous NCP Day Recordings, click here
1.2 CE Credits each; ECCHO tracks and validates

Click here for other ways to Recognize your NCPs

Click here to view the NCP Directory