Top 11 Credit Counselor Certifications

Certifications for a credit counselor are incredibly important in the job market. Not only do certifications demonstrate to employers that the applicant has the necessary education and experience to work as a credit counselor, but they also indicate that the individual has passed a rigorous examination and met certain standards of practice. This gives employers confidence that their employee is qualified to offer reliable advice and guidance regarding financial decisions. Certifications also provide recognition from professional organizations and industry peers, which can help boost an applicant’s reputation and increase their chances of employment.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the benefits of some of the top certifications for Credit Counselors and how they can contribute to a credit counselor's career.

What are Credit Counselor Certifications?

Credit counselor certification is a credential that demonstrates proficiency in providing financial counseling services. It is awarded by organizations such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). Certification requires counselors to meet specific educational, experience, and ethical requirements.

Having a credit counselor certification can help individuals who are seeking assistance with their finances. Certified credit counselors have the knowledge and expertise to provide consumers with unbiased advice on managing their money and debts. They are also able to provide resources for budgeting, debt repayment plans, and other financial strategies that may be beneficial to consumers. Additionally, certified credit counselors may be able to refer clients to other professionals such as attorneys or financial planners if additional assistance is needed.

Overall, having a credit counselor certification shows that an individual has taken the time to learn about personal finance topics and has been trained in providing sound financial advice. This can help consumers feel more confident in receiving assistance from a qualified professional who can help them make informed decisions about their finances.

Pro Tip: Make sure to check the credentials of any credit counselor you are considering working with. A certified credit counselor should have a certification from either the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). This ensures that they have been properly trained and have the knowledge to provide sound financial advice.

Related: What does a Credit Counselor do?

Top 11 Credit Counselor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Credit Counselors today.

1. National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Certified Credit Counselor

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Certified Credit Counselor (CCC) is a credential that demonstrates a credit counselor’s knowledge and experience in helping individuals and families manage their finances. The CCC is the only nationally recognized certification available to credit counselors.

To become an NFCC Certified Credit Counselor, you must meet certain education, training, and experience requirements set by the NFCC. These include: completing a minimum of 60 hours of approved coursework in credit counseling; passing the NFCC Certification Exam; and having at least two years of full-time credit counseling experience or its equivalent.

It typically takes about three months to complete the educational requirements for the CCC, depending on how quickly you can complete the required coursework. Once you have completed your education, you will need to register with the NFCC and pay a fee of $150 before taking the exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CCC certification from the NFCC. This certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years by completing additional training courses as required by the NFCC.

In total, it costs approximately $250-$300 to become an NFCC Certified Credit Counselor, including registration fees, course fees, and exam fees.

2. Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) Accredited Financial Counselor

The Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) Accredited Financial Counselor certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have completed specific education, training, and experience requirements in the field of financial counseling and planning. This certification demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide quality financial counseling services.

To become an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor, individuals must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university as well as at least two years of full-time experience in providing financial counseling or related services. In addition, applicants must complete at least 18 hours of approved coursework in topics such as personal finance management, debt management, consumer protection laws, retirement planning, investments, insurance planning, estate planning, and tax planning.

The process for becoming an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor typically takes about six months to one year depending on the individual’s experience level. After completing all the educational requirements for the certification program, applicants must pass a written examination administered by AFCPE. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as budgeting techniques; understanding credit reports; debt management strategies; retirement planning; investments; insurance principles; estate planning concepts; consumer protection laws; and tax planning strategies.

The cost of becoming an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor varies depending on the individual’s experience level. The fee for taking the exam is $400 for those with no prior experience in financial counseling or related services and $200 for those with two or more years of relevant work experience. Additionally there may be fees associated with any required coursework or other preparatory materials needed to take the exam.

3. National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Certified Financial Planner

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a professional certification for financial advisors who specialize in providing comprehensive financial planning services. It is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the financial planning industry.

In order to become a NAPFA Certified Financial Planner, an individual must meet certain educational, experience, and ethical requirements. To qualify for the CFP designation, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, complete a minimum of three years of full-time financial planning related experience and pass the CFP exam. The exam consists of two parts: a general knowledge section and a case study section.

The process to become certified typically takes up to two years to complete, depending on the individual's background and experience level. The cost to obtain the CFP designation varies depending on whether or not you choose to take courses offered by NAPFA or other organizations that provide preparatory materials for the exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 USD to become certified.

4. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC)

A Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) is a professional who has attained a specialized certification in the field of housing counseling. CHCs are trained to provide guidance and advice on matters related to homeownership, rental housing, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgages, and other housing-related issues.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the requirements for becoming a Certified Housing Counselor. The process involves completing an approved training program, passing an exam administered by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), and meeting other requirements as outlined by the NFCC.

To become a CHC, you must first complete an approved training program. These programs are offered through various organizations such as HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, universities, and community colleges. After completing the training program, you must pass an exam administered by the NFCC in order to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming a CHC varies depending on where you take your courses and which organization you use for your certification exams. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $300-$1000 to become certified as a CHC.

5. HUD-Approved Housing Counselor

A HUD-Approved Housing Counselor is a professional who has been trained and certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing counseling services to individuals and families. These counselors are knowledgeable about the housing market, credit, budgeting, foreclosure prevention, rental assistance programs, and more. They can provide advice on how to avoid foreclosure or eviction, how to qualify for rental assistance programs, how to save money on energy bills, and other topics related to housing.

In order to become a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor, an individual must complete a HUD-approved training program and pass an exam. The training program can typically be completed in two days or less depending on the program chosen. After completing the training program and passing the exam, applicants must then submit an application to HUD for approval as a Housing Counselor.

The cost of becoming a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor varies depending on the training program chosen but typically ranges from $100-$500. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or study materials that need to be purchased separately.

Once approved as a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor, individuals can begin providing counseling services in their community. In addition to providing counseling services directly to clients, they may also be eligible for grants and other funding opportunities from HUD that can help them expand their services or reach new clients in need of assistance.

6. Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)

Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) is a professional credential offered by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). It is designed to recognize financial counselors who demonstrate excellence in providing quality financial counseling services. The AFC credential is based on a comprehensive set of competencies that reflect the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide effective financial counseling services.

The AFC certification process involves two steps: passing the AFC exam and completing an approved training program. To be eligible to take the AFC exam, applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university, plus one year of full-time experience in the field of consumer credit or personal finance counseling.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as budgeting, debt management, consumer protection laws, credit reports/scores, bankruptcy/foreclosure prevention, retirement planning, and insurance/investment planning. The exam fee is $250 for members of AFCPE and $350 for non-members.

To become certified as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), applicants must also complete an approved training program consisting of either 24 hours of online coursework or 36 hours of classroom instruction. The cost for the online coursework ranges from $495-$595 depending on whether you are a member or non-member of AFCPE. The cost for the classroom instruction varies depending on location but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000.

7. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) is a professional designation awarded by The American College of Financial Services. It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in the financial services industry.

The ChFC program requires that candidates complete nine courses, which cover topics such as financial planning, estate planning, investments, insurance, taxation, retirement planning, and risk management. Candidates must also pass an exam with a score of at least 70%.

It typically takes two to four years to complete the ChFC program. However, it can take longer depending on how quickly you are able to complete the coursework and pass the exam.

To get your ChFC designation, you must first apply for admission to The American College of Financial Services and pay the application fee. You will then be required to complete nine courses over two or more semesters and pass an exam with a score of at least 70%. Once you have completed these requirements successfully, you will receive your ChFC designation.

The cost of the ChFC program varies depending on where you take the classes and whether or not you choose to enroll in any additional programs offered by The American College of Financial Services. Generally speaking, however, it costs between $2,000 and $3,000 USD for tuition plus any additional fees associated with enrollment in additional programs or materials.

8. Certified Money Coach (CMC)

Certified Money Coach (CMC) is a professional certification program designed to help individuals and families improve their financial well-being. The program is offered by the Financial Therapy Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of financial therapy.

The CMC program consists of three parts: an online course, an in-person workshop, and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as budgeting, debt management, saving, investment strategies, and more. It takes approximately 12 hours to complete.

The in-person workshop is held over two days and focuses on developing coaching skills and techniques for working with clients. It also includes role play activities that allow participants to practice their skills in a safe environment. This part of the program takes approximately 16 hours to complete.

The final exam tests knowledge of the material covered in both parts of the program and must be passed in order to become certified.

To get Certified Money Coach (CMC) designation, one must first complete both parts of the program mentioned above and then pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for the entire program is $1,295 USD which includes access to all materials needed for completion.

9. Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP)

Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Certified Student Loan Professionals (NACSLP). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills to help borrowers manage their student loan debt. The certification requires applicants to demonstrate proficiency in understanding student loan repayment options, financial literacy, and consumer protection.

It typically takes about 6-8 weeks to complete the CSLP program. To get certified, applicants must first pass an online exam that covers topics such as student loan repayment options, consumer protection laws, financial literacy, and more. After passing the exam, applicants must submit an application and supporting documents to NACSLP for review and approval.

The cost of the CSLP certification program varies depending on the type of membership you choose. For example, a basic membership costs $99 per year while a premium membership costs $199 per year.

10. International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) Certified Debt Arbitrator

The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) Certified Debt Arbitrator is a certification program that provides debt professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively negotiate and manage consumer debt. The IAPDA Certified Debt Arbitrator Program is designed to ensure that debt professionals have the necessary training and qualifications to provide comprehensive debt resolution services to consumers.

The program consists of two levels: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 focuses on basic debt arbitration principles, while Level 2 covers more advanced topics such as legal issues, negotiation techniques, and dispute resolution. To become certified at either level, individuals must successfully complete an online course and pass a final exam.

The online course typically takes between 8-12 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s learning style and experience. In order to get certified, individuals must also pass a background check conducted by the IAPDA.

The cost for the IAPDA Certified Debt Arbitrator program varies depending on the level of certification sought. For Level 1 certification, the cost is $199 USD; for Level 2 certification, it is $299 USD.

11. American Bankers Association’s National Trust School Certificate in Trust Services

The American Bankers Association’s National Trust School Certificate in Trust Services is a professional certificate program that provides comprehensive training for trust professionals. The certificate is designed to provide trust professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage trust accounts, administer trusts, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities.

The program consists of three levels: Level I – Introduction to Trust Services; Level II – Advanced Trust Services; and Level III – Professional Trust Services. Each level requires completion of two courses and an exam. The Level I coursework focuses on the basics of trust services such as fiduciary law, investments, taxes, estate planning, and more. The Level II coursework covers more advanced topics such as asset management, retirement plans, charitable trusts, asset protection strategies, and more. The Level III coursework focuses on the complexities of managing complex trust accounts including tax planning strategies and other specialized financial instruments.

The program typically takes between six months to one year to complete depending on individual study habits and availability of courses. Courses are offered online or through traditional classroom instruction at various locations throughout the United States.

To enroll in the program you must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university or have at least five years of banking experience in either retail or commercial banking operations. You must also pass a background check prior to enrollment in the program.

The cost for the National Trust School Certificate in Trust Services varies depending on which level you are enrolled in and whether you take courses online or through traditional classroom instruction. Generally speaking, tuition for each level ranges from $2,000-3,000 per course plus any applicable fees for textbooks or materials required for the courses.

Do You Really Need a Credit Counselor Certificate?

The answer to whether or not you need a credit counselor certificate depends on your individual circumstances and goals. If you are looking to improve your credit score, then a credit counseling certificate may be beneficial. A credit counselor can help you develop a budget, manage debt, and understand how to use credit wisely. They can also provide guidance if you are considering filing for bankruptcy or if you have been the victim of identity theft or fraud.

However, if your goal is simply to learn more about how to improve your financial health, then a credit counseling certificate may not be necessary. You can find helpful information online about budgeting and developing strategies for improving your credit score without having to pay for a certification. In addition, there are many organizations that offer free financial education courses that can help you gain the knowledge needed to make smart decisions with money.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not you need a credit counselor certificate should be based on what it is that you want to achieve financially. If the cost of pursuing certification is worth it when compared with potential benefits, then it may be worth the investment. However, if it’s simply knowledge and understanding of personal finance that you’re after, then there are other options available that don’t require such an expenditure.

Related: Credit Counselor Resume Examples

FAQs About Credit Counselor Certifications

1. What is a credit counselor certification?

Answer: A credit counselor certification is a professional designation that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide sound financial advice and services related to debt management, budgeting, and credit counseling.

2. Who offers credit counselor certifications?

Answer: Credit counselor certifications are offered through various organizations including the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), Association of Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE), and the Institute for Financial Literacy (IFL).

3. What are the requirements for becoming a certified credit counselor?

Answer: Requirements vary by organization but typically include completing an accredited program in financial counseling, passing an exam, and having relevant work experience.

4. How long does it take to become a certified credit counselor?

Answer: It can take anywhere from six months to several years depending on the organization offering the certification, your level of education, and your experience.

5. Is a credit counselor certification worth it?

Answer: Yes! A credit counselor certification can help you stand out in the competitive field of financial counseling, demonstrate your proficiency in providing clients with sound financial advice and services, and potentially increase your earning potential.