Designation Objectives

MCRS Designation

CRS Designation

About NTSAA

NTSAA Educational Institute

About Exam

Study Materials

Comprehensive Exam

Maintaining the Designation

Equivalency Credit

Group Discounts

Fee Structure

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION OBJECTIVES

Survival and prosperity in the complex 403(b) industry requires a better understanding of the ever-changing industry and a strong commitment to professionalism. There’s no better way for the serious TSA producer to learn about the industry and to demonstrate his/her professionalism than through the MCRS (Master Certified Retirement Specialist), and CRS (Certified Retirement Specialist) professional designation offered exclusively by the NTSAA Educational Institute.

Anyone with an interest in issues and opportunities in the 403(b) marketplace is encouraged to obtain the CRS and/or MCRS professional designation. Register now to demonstrate your commitment to the 403(b) marketplace and your professional future.

Earning the professional designation will increase your technical ability and effectiveness, provide the tools you need to strengthen your business, enhance your professional status, and help you improve your service to your clients. You will have the knowledge and the credentials to take advantage of an industry that’s experiencing rapid growth.

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WHAT IS THE MCRS DESIGNATION?

Anyone can take MCRS examinations but the MCRS professional designation is awarded to individuals who:

To meet the experience requirements a person must provide satisfactory evidence to the NTSAA Educational Institute of more than three years MCRS or full-time experience (or its equivalent) in dealing with 403(b) plans.

NOTE:The MCRS designation is maintained by annually completing 15 hours of continuing education.

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WHAT IS THE CRS DESIGNATION?

Anyone can take CRS examinations but the CRS professional designation is awarded to individuals who:

To meet the experience requirements a person must provide satisfactory evidence to the NTSAA Educational Institute of more than three years of full-time experience (or its equivalent) in dealing with 403(b) plans.

NOTE:The CRS designation is maintained by annually completing 15 hours of continuing education.

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The NTSAA Educational Institute is the educational arm of National Tax Sheltered Accounts Association (NTSAA). It manages the educational program that leads to and maintains the CRS/MCRS professional designation.

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• Course 1 - Available Online
• Course 2 - Available Online
• Course 3 - Available Online
• Course 4 - Available Online
• Course 5 - Available at site location
• Course 6 - Available at site location

Each exam consists of 60 questions of the type illustrated in the appropriate Study Guide. Questions are drawn only from the assigned text and Study Guide material. For the open-book, online Course 1, 2, 3 or 4 exam, you must receive a grade of 80% or better to pass the exam. For Course 5 and Course 6, you must receive a grade of 70% or better to pass the exam. After the successful completion of your first exam you must complete all exams within five years. Examinations passed more than five years before completing all six exams must be re-taken and passed.

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To properly prepare for an exam you will need a current Study Guide and required text book materials. Because of the constantly changing laws and rules, Study Guides and most text material are updated annually. Candidates are encouraged to prepare for the examinations with current study materials.

Following is a price list of the required textbooks for the CRS/MCRS designations:

COURSE 1 - Available Online Only

• Text: Online – The Basic of 403(b) Plans$50
• Text: Hard Copy– The Basic of 403(b) Plans$75
• Study Guide: Hard Copy– The Basic of 403(b) Plans$75

COURSE 2 - Available Online Only

• Text: Online – Planning and Managing the 403(b) Product and Investment Options$50
• Text: Hard Copy– Planning and Managing the 403(b) Product and Investment Options$75
• Study Guide: Hard Copy– Planning and Managing the 403(b) Product and Investment Options$75

COURSE 3 - Available Online Only

• Text: Online – Loans, Distributions, Transfers and Rollovers$50
• Text: Hard Copy– Loans, Distributions, Transfers and Rollovers$75
• Study Guide: Hard Copy– Loans, Distributions, Transfers and Rollovers$75

• Text: Online – Employer Funded Plans, Religious Organizations, and IRS Audits$50
• Text: Hard Copy– Employer Funded Plans, Religious Organizations, and IRS Audits$75
• Study Guide: Hard Copy– Employer Funded Plans, Religious Organizations, and IRS Audits$75

COURSE 5 - Available at Site Locations

• Text: Advanced Issues in 403 (b) and Related Plans $75
• Study Guide: Advanced Issues in 403 (b) and Related Plans $65

COURSE 6 - Available at Site Locations

• Text / Study Guide: Financial Planning and Estate Planning$150 (2 books)

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A comprehensive exam is available only for the MCRS program. To be eligible for this exam a person must have:

• At least 10 years of experience with 403(b) products;
• At least one other recognized professional designation such as CLU, ChFC, CFP, CEBS, MBA or equivalent.

Candidates are required to purchase all study guides and text materials used in the MCRS program ($850) and pay one exam fee of $200 for NTSAA members and $250 for nonmembers. Candidates who fail the exam may retake the exam with an additional exam fee of $200/$250. Even those with a high level of expertise should spend review and study time prior to taking the exam. Contact the NTSAA Educational Institute for additional information.

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To maintain the CRS/MCRS professional designation you must complete 15 hours of approved continuing education requirements each year beginning one year after the completion of all exams. Methods of meeting these requirements are described in detail in the "CE Policy" of the NTSAA Educational Institute.

Click here for a Acrobat PDF version of the CE Policy Booklet

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NTSAA recognizes the following designations CFP, CLU, and ChFC as equivalent to the MCRS Course 6. If you have one of these designations, please contact 1-661-859-1900 x100 to receive credit for the MCRS Course 6.

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GROUP DISCOUNTS

In addition to the 20% NTSAA member discount, the following discounts will apply:

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Course 1, 2, 3 and 4 Fee Breakdown per Course:
One-Time Matriculation Fee (non-refundable)
NTSAA Members $ 76
Non-NTSAA Members $ 95

NTSAA Members Exam Fee $250 (which includes online Study Guide)
Non-NTSAA Members Exam Fee $300 (which includes online Study Guide)

Either one of the following:
Online Text Book $ 50 (comes with a password)
Hard Copy Text Book $ 75

Hard Copy Study Guide $ 75 (optional)

Online Deferral or Re-Exam Fee $ 95

Course 5 and Course 6 Fee Breakdown per Course:
NTSAA Members Exam Fee $200
Non-NTSAA Members Exam Fee $250

Hard Copy Text Book $ 75
Hard Copy Study Guide $ 75

Deferral, No Show or Re-Exam Fee $95

Deferrals, no shows and/or re-exams fees are applicable each time incurred.

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