Accreditation Requirements
NAF is offered as a two-part program. NAF 1&2: Governance & Finance and NAF 3&4: Risk Management & Human Capital are each held concurrently twice per year (in the spring and the fall). Participants may complete the courses in any order. Once the program has been completed, participants will be required to take an online exam to demonstrate an understanding of the program materials. Upon receipt of a passing grade on the exam, participants will be awarded with the NCPERS Accredited Fiduciary (AF) designation.
ELIGIBILITY
Pension trustees and plan staff are encouraged to have at least two years of experience in pension plan administration or governance before enrolling in NAF. Those newer to the pension industry are advised to complete the NCPERS Trustee Educational Seminar (TEDS) first, to establish a solid foundation in fiduciary responsibilities.Please note that this program is not available to service providers.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To earn the NAF designation, candidates must complete both NAF 1 & 2: Governance & Finance and NAF 3 & 4: Risk Management & Human Capital. These courses may be taken in any order, with no time limit for completion.After finishing both courses, candidates must pass an online exam to demonstrate mastery of the program content.
EXAM OVERVIEW
The NAF program exam is a comprehensive online assessment designed to evaluate candidates’ mastery of key concepts covered in the NAF courses, including governance, finance, risk management, and human capital management within the context of public pension plans. The exam consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that assess candidates’ ability to apply best practices, interpret fiduciary responsibilities, and make informed decisions based on real-world pension administration scenarios.The exam is open book, allowing candidates to reference course materials while completing the assessment. To support exam preparation, an online review session is offered before the exam window opens, providing a valuable refresher on key concepts and an opportunity to address any questions.
Passing the exam is required to earn the Accredited Fiduciary (AF) designation. Detailed exam instructions and preparation materials will be provided upon completion of all required courses.