ABOUT THE EXAM

The ARA examination is a 100-question, multiple-choice exam that tests proficiency in the special issues of senior citizens including tax planning and tax preparation for decedents, estates, and trusts; and applying your knowledge and skills in real-life situations when serving aging clients.

The questions on the ARA exam are developed as the result of a Job Task Analysis that studies what retirement advisors do, how often they perform each task and how important they perceive the task to be.

Candidates are given 3 hours to complete each 100-question, multiple-choice exam. For a more detailed look at the individual topics covered, please see the ARA Exam Blueprint.

Candidates cannot earn certification without passing the certification examination. For the ARA, a passing grade is 70. Candidates will receive a letter from ACAT notifying them of their official and final test pass/fail results. Scores will be available within two days after the exam is completed. Test results are confidential and will not be released to anyone without your written permission. ACAT securely stores exam results indefinitely.

Note: As of January 2025, the ARA exam is currently undergoing revisions and exams will not be administered.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

To hold the ARA candidates must be at least 18 years of age. There are no other educational or experience requirements to take the ARA exam and/or to hold the ARA credential.

MAINTAINING YOUR CREDENTIAL

Individuals holding the Accredited Retirement Advisor (ARA) credential must earn 24 hours of CPE each year with at least 8 hours in elder-care issues (such as retirement, asset management, Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, or trusts and estates); plus 2 hours in ethics. The remaining hours can be in accounting, taxation, finance, technology, business law, or subjects that relate to your particular area of practice or employment.

CPE requirements are prorated for those who earn an ACAT credential after the start of a reporting cycle. For additional information, visit our CPE requirements page.

For a more detailed overview of all requirements needed to maintain your credential, please visit the page for Current Credential Holders.