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RMA® Certification Examination Information

The RMA® certification process requires candidates to pass a Certification Examination.

 

RMA® Certification Examination


Exam FormatRMA exam

  • The examination comprises 100 multiple-choice questions
  • Pass rate for the RMA Exam as of the end of Q2 2022 is currently 74%.

  • Three-hour long examination offered in these formats:

    • The Retirement Management Advisor® Exam can be completed after successful completion of the Retirement Advisor Online Course and the Retirement Management Advisor® Education Capstone. The examination will be offered in a proctored setting.

    • The in-person exam at Capstone events is a paper and pen exam. The online proctored exam can be taken from any stable Internet connection that offers a webcam and microphone, through which the online proctor can observe the test-taker throughout the exam. Typically, we recommend that you test from home to avoid challenges related to corporate firewalls. Online proctors are available 24/7, for your convenience, and if you schedule with at least 72 hours notice, there's no additional charge.

Study Considerations

To successfully prepare to sit for the Certification Examination, the recommended study time is 10-12 hours of preparatory study.

Curriculum Review

Instructors: Bob Powell, CFP and Mike Kurz, CIMA, CPWA, CFP Institute Program Director.
Curriculum review will include all eight content sections with live quiz questions for candidates.

​The RMA® Certification Core of Body of Knowledge

 

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These high level core topics include four knowledge domains, covering 8 knowledge sections derived from a job task analysis. This process allows us to continuously refresh the content based on feedback from experts in the industry  to ensure you obtain the knowledge and skills needed to become an advanced retirement management consulting professional.
 

RMA Core Topics

 

Client Diagnostic Kit

  1. Client Planning Process—Client planning process, retirement phases, advisors' styles, “gamma," measures of fundedness

  2. The Household Balance Sheet—Household balance sheet, financial, social and human capital, start of life-cycle plan

  3. Household Cash Flows—Fixed and discretionary expenses, tax-bracket planning, retirement milestones, Medicare and Long-term care, Social Security, pensions, complete life-cycle plan

Retirement Allocation

  1. Assessing Retirement Risks—Retiree risk profiles, risk management techniques, floor allocation, probability-based and safety-first strategies

RMA Toolbox

  1. Risk Management Allocations—Retirement allocations, withdrawal strategies, time segmentation, retirement policy statements

  2. Account Location/Product Selections—Product selection, account location, income annuities

Practice Management

  1. Presenting & Monitoring the Plan—Methods for planning, transparent and trustworthy advisory practice, aligning client situation with planning methodology

  2. Professional Guidelines—Investments & Wealth Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility, marks usage, legal and regulatory compliance

Ensuring you have the right skills is why we exist

Our rigorous curriculum was developed to ensure you have the extensive knowledge you need to drive your career and business moving forward.  

If you are a candidate for RMA® certification, the exam will test the major topic areas below

 

Exam Percentage

Domains

Sections

53%

Client Diagnostic Kit

Chapter/Module 1—The Client Planning Process: 20%
Chapter/Module 2---The Household Balance Sheet: 13%
Chapter/Module 3---Household Cash Flows: 20%

12%

Retirement Allocations

Chapter/Module 4---Assessing Retirement Risks: 12%

21%

RMA Toolbox

Chapter/Module 5---Risk Management Allocations: 14%
Chapter/Module 6---Account Location/Product Selection:  7%

13%

Practice Management

Chapter/Module 7---Presenting and Monitoring the Plan:  6%
Chapter/Module 8---Professional Guidelines:  7%