Popular Questions

Active, unexpired designations and designations and training earned in 2024 and prior will be fully recognized by America’s Credit Unions. 

Some designation names will change. In these cases, name changes will happen as designees recertify their designations. Current designees should continue to utilize their unexpired credentials.  

For example, if someone earned the NCCO (NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer) designation and it has not expired, they should continue to utilize the NCCO credentials until expiration or recertification.  

Active, unexpired designations, earned through CUNA or NAFCU will remain valid until the designation expiration date. Designees who recertify by their designation expiration date will follow the respective designation recertification requirements. At that time, if there is a change to the designation name, America’s Credit Unions will automatically update your designation credentials.   

All designations offered under CUNA and NAFCU will continue to be recognized. Where there was duplication in designation, those will be combined into a new designation. For example, two BSA designations exist: CUNA Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist (BSACS) and NAFCU Certified Bank Secrecy Officer (NCBSO). BSACS and NCBSO designees will continue to utilize the BSACS or NCBSO credential until expiration or recertification. At recertification, the BSACS or NCBSO will convert to Certified Bank Secrecy Act Professional (CBSAP). To recertify, designees attend a qualifying America’s Credit Unions event. No recertification exam is required to convert to the new CBSAP credential. 

No, for designations that require recertification, a recertification exam is not required.  

Designations that require multiple years of work to earn will continue. If the designation name has changed, you will earn the new designation if earned in 2025 or later.  

Upcoming Recertifications

  • Beginning January 1, 2025, the NAFCU designation recertification process transitioned from a two-year cycle based on approved continuing education credits to America’s Credit Unions' three-year cycle based on attendance to qualifying America’s Credit Unions events. Because of the extent of this change, America’s Credit Unions is offering a 1-year grace period for NCCO, NCBSO, NCVE and NCRM designations expiring in 2025. This means you will have an additional 12 months to fulfill these new requirements. NOTE: This extension will not display on your member profile on AmericasCreditUnions.org. 
  • To maintain your designation, complete the recertification requirements by your respective recertification expiration date. Recertification options are found here.
  • At recertification, some designation names will change. In these cases, name changes will happen as designees recertify their designations. Current designees should continue to utilize their unexpired credentials.  
    For example, if someone earned the NCCO (NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer) designation and it has not expired, they should continue to utilize the NCCO credentials until expiration or recertification.  
  • If the respective recertification requirements are met, your designation will renew as follows.
  • As of January 1, 2025:
    • Designation period: America’s Credit Unions designation recertification period is three years.
    • Recertification requirement: To accomplish recertification, designees will attend a qualifying America’s Credit Unions training event. Attendance at an event(s) will satisfy recertification requirements. No exams or accumulated credits will be needed.
    • Expiration date: designations will expire every three years on the anniversary date earned.

  • If your designation has not expired, you may continue to use the current designation you earned. If your designation name changes, your credentials will automatically convert to the new designation name at recertification. 
  • As of January 1, 2025:
    • Designation period: America’s Credit Unions designation recertification period is three years.
    • Recertification requirement: To accomplish recertification, designees will attend a qualifying America’s Credit Unions training event. Attendance at an event(s) will satisfy recertification requirements. No exams or accumulated credits will be needed.
    • Expiration date: designations will expire every three years on the anniversary date earned.