How to Verify a CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) Credential

Quick answer

Verify the CRPC credential through the College for Financial Planning Designee Directory at kaplan.edu/cfp or via the College for Financial Planning's designee search at financialplanning.kaplan.edu. Search by name to confirm the CRPC designation is active and in good standing.

What is the CRPC?

The Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) is a designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning after completing a retirement-focused curriculum and passing a final examination. The credential covers pre-retirement and post-retirement planning, asset management, estate planning, and retirement income distribution.

The CRPC is an industry-recognized designation but it is not a license. Holding a CRPC does not authorize the holder to provide investment advice, manage assets, or sell securities — those activities require FINRA licensing (Series 7, Series 65/66, RIA registration) or state insurance licensing. The CRPC is a knowledge-based professional designation layered on top of existing licensure.

Credential verification

The College for Financial Planning (now part of Kaplan Financial Education) maintains a directory of current CRPC designees.

How to verify a CRPC credential

Go to the College for Financial Planning designee verification page (financialplanning.kaplan.edu → “Verify a Designation”)
Search by the designee's full legal name
Confirm the CRPC designation is listed as current and in good standing

CRPC designees must complete continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain the credential. The designation can be revoked for failure to meet CE requirements or for ethical violations. A name not appearing in the directory may indicate the credential has lapsed or was revoked.

CRPC vs. CFP vs. RICP

Several retirement-focused credentials exist; employers and clients should understand how they compare:

Credential	Issuer	Focus	Verify At
CRPC	College for Financial Planning (Kaplan)	Pre- and post-retirement planning, distribution strategies	financialplanning.kaplan.edu
CFP®	CFP Board	Comprehensive financial planning; higher bar; fiduciary standard	cfp.net → Find a CFP Professional
RICP®	The American College of Financial Services	Retirement income planning; graduate-level curriculum	theamericancollege.edu → Designee Search
ChFC®	The American College of Financial Services	Broad financial planning; more courses than CFP	theamericancollege.edu → Designee Search

Also verify underlying licenses

The CRPC designation does not grant any regulatory authorization. If a CRPC-designated advisor is managing assets or providing investment advice, verify their underlying regulatory licenses:

FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org): Verify Series 6, 7, 63, 65, 66 registrations and any disciplinary history
SEC IAPD (adviserinfo.sec.gov): Verify RIA registration and investment adviser representative (IAR) status
State insurance license: Verify life, annuity, or long-term care insurance licensure through the state DOI if the advisor sells insurance products

Verification checklist

1. Verify CRPC designation at the College for Financial Planning designee directory; confirm name and active status
2. Confirm the CRPC is appropriate for the role — it is a designation, not a license; does not independently authorize investment advice or asset management
3. Verify FINRA registrations at brokercheck.finra.org for any securities activities
4. Verify RIA or IAR registration at adviserinfo.sec.gov if investment advisory services are provided
5. Verify state insurance license through the state DOI or NIPR (nipr.com) if insurance products are sold

Verify financial planning education credentials

Many financial advisors hold degrees in finance, economics, or business from regionally accredited institutions. Use VerifyED to confirm that the granting institution is legitimate and properly accredited before accepting a candidate's academic credentials.

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