The Orange County Chapter of the American Payroll Association invites you to become a Certified Payroll Professional. This is our 18^th year conducting a study group to prepare for the CPP exam.

The payroll professional must be proficient in all aspects of payroll, which include payroll preparation, taxation and tax reporting, MIS, human resources and accounting. The American Payroll Association offers the CPP certification to recognize those who have demonstrated professional proficiency in these areas. Our goal is to assist the group in achieving a 100% passing rate through sharing knowledge and offering motivation.

The fall exam dates will be in September and October. The exact testing dates and locations will be confirmed by the end of April.

The Certification Board of the American Payroll Association has expanded the requirements for exam eligibility which include the following criteria. In order to sit in on the exam, you must meet at least one of these criteria.

Criteria 1: The payroll professional has been practicing payroll a total of three (3) out of the preceding five (5) years from the date of the examination. The practice of payroll is defined as direct involvement in at least one of the following:

• Payroll production and reporting
• Payroll administration
• Payroll education or consulting

Criteria 2: Prior to sitting for the examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1 for the last 24 months, and has completed within the last 24 months all of the following courses offered by the APA:

• Payroll Practice Essentials (3-day course)
• Comprehensive Payroll and Tax Compliance Course (3-day course)
• Strategic Payroll Practices (2-day course)

OR

• Payroll 101: The Standard Foundation of Payroll Administration
• Payroll 201: The Payroll Administration Course

 Criteria 3: Before sitting for the examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in criteria 1 for at least 18 months, has obtained the Payroll Fundamental Certification and has completed within the last 18 months all of the following courses as offered by the APA:

• Comprehensive Payroll and Tax Compliance Course (3-day course)
• Strategic Payroll Practices (2-day course)

OR

•  Payroll 201: The Payroll Administration Course