Join the Elite Group of Certified Estate Planner™ Professionals

CEP® Certification Course

Terms & Conditions

MCEP® Certification Course

Terms & Conditions

VA Reimbursement

Under the GI Bill

Program Overview

Our professional certifications are recognized and approved for use nationwide by many of America's leading financial, legal, and tax entities. We regularly work with our certificants, their legal and compliance personnel, governing boards and bars, etc. to maintain broad approval for the use of our marks.

✓ In-Depth Education:
Gain a broad understanding of estate planning from a multidisciplinary perspective, covering legal, financial, and tax methodologies.

✓ Structured Learning:
Our course provides a clear and linear approach, equipping you with the tools to guide clients through customized estate planning decisions.

Certified Estate Planner™

For professionals looking to earn their foundational CEP® certification.

  • Comprehensive estate planning training

  • Self-paced online learning

  • Certification exam included

  • Access to member resources

Investment: $1,695

CEP® Course Topics

The Unauthorized Practice of Law

Planning for Death and Incapacity

The Transfer of Wealth

Funding and Follow Up

Estate and Other Taxes

Will Centered vs. Trust Centered Estate Planning

Protecting Wealth and Providing a Legacy

Essential Elements and Special Provisions in Wills and Trusts

Insurance and Estate Planning

The Revocable Living Trust

Understanding Wills and Trusts

Essential Documents and Directives

Master Certified Estate Planner™

For CEP® professionals ready to deepen their expertise.

  • Advanced estate planning strategies

  • In-depth case studies and real-world applications

  • Self-paced online learning + exclusive master sessions

  • Certification exam included

Investment: $1,695

MCEP® Course Topics

Settling an Estate on the Death of the First Spouse

Asset Protection

Settling an Estate on the Death of the Second Spouse

Dealing with Special Needs and Family Dynamics

Why Revocable Living Trusts Sometimes Fail

More Sophisticated Trusts for Complex Estates

Clients Wishes and Legacy Planning

Mistakes Trustees Often Make

Charitable Planning

Corporate Structuring

Planning Around Large Qualified Retirement Assets

And much more!

CEP® + MCEP® Combo Course

For those ready to go from foundational knowledge to expert-level certification in one step.

  • Full CEP® + MCEP® coursework

  • All exams included

  • Best value for comprehensive training

Investment: $2,695

  • "This course was an excellent way to prepare for the CEP® exam. The course was fast moving, and questions were answered directly. It greatly increased my knowledge on trusts and estate planning. I can't wait to use the concepts learned in my business."

    - Jim D., FL

  • "Loved the course. Spent hundreds of hours with it, reading the study materials and listening to Jon's classroom sessions. He's a kick and he really knows his stuff. Thanks again for a wonderful course. It was well worth the investment of time and money. Grateful to be part of the NICEP community."

    – Jeff R., CO

  • "Thank you for taking the time to teach the class. I learned a lot and I'm really looking forward to tailoring my practice to not only market myself as a CEP®, but also implementing the topics that I'm learning in the course."

    – Bruce B., WA

  • "Thanks again for a great class! Best course experience I've ever had!"

    - John Y., CA

  • "I consider the time and dollars to be excellent investments and believe that the knowledge, certification, and association with the NICEP will be highly beneficial to my practice."

    - Jack W., TX

  • "This course was excellent. My background was almost solely based in the securities industry and I was the highest ranking officer in the trust department of the second largest bank in the state. This training proved to be indispensable, both to my staff and to myself. I would recommend this program to anyone committed to the most efficient protection and transfer of wealth."

    - Mark S., NH

  • "After 20+ years in the business, having received excellent training and attaining numerous certifications, there was still a missing piece that kept me locked in the same economic and income level. My practice was focused on Insurance & Financial Planning, and I worked with some high-powered legal advisors, but I did not feel that my potential was fully realized. Then, in 2002 I earned my CEP® certification. The timing was perfect. I was working with a large estate and closed the largest commission I had ever attained. Since enrolling in the CEP® program with the NICEP, my income has quintupled, and my credibility and confidence with professional team members and clients has soared."

    - Stephen S., NC

  • "I am writing to thank you for the outstanding CEP® program. Your presentation was the most user friendly and practical application oriented program that I have attended in my thirteen years as an estate planner. Your services provide the estate planners the opportunity to take their practice to the next level in services and quality. I congratulate the NICEP for providing a valuable, timely, comprehensive, and quality focused educational service. You are establishing a new standard for the industry while making an immense contribution to professionalism in the arena of estate planning."

    - William S., CO

  • "The CEP® Course far exceeded my expectations and is well worth the investment of your time and money."

    - Mark N., NC

  • "The format of the course is perfect for a working professional and the direct approach was a tremendous asset. The recognition from clients about this certification has been extremely valuable. Thank you."

    - Philip K., IL

  • "I would recommend this course. With estate planning being a constantly moving target, it is valuable for anyone who works in the legal or financial arena to be reminded of, or learn, the basics involved in current estate planning. Without continuing reminders and updates we can be unknowingly guiding our clients toward a path that may not suit them perfectly."

    - Mark H., NC

  • "Just wanted to say thank you so much for the very informative and highly enlightening course. I can't even begin to tell you how much this will enhance everything we do and the fact that we have such a huge resource available means so much. What you guys are doing is awesome."

    - Cheri H., NV

  • "I found this course to be quite helpful in consolidating a vast amount of information into a concise and smooth study. I definitely think it was helpful to my grasping the subject matter in a manner easy to recall."

    - Michael H., TX

  • "I wanted to write to you to let you know that taking your class has been one of the best things I have done for my career. This class has given me the confidence to get in front of the very affluent and be confident in the advice I am giving. I have also used the information to get in the planned giving area. My B/D puts a premium on education. This class was a great experience and I hope some of my peers will take advantage of this opportunity!"

    - Hugh H., GA

  • "Most of us have been exposed to at least some of the material in the course. However, this course takes it to another level and gives the financial advisor much greater knowledge of the entire estate planning process."

    - Philip E., TX

FAQ

  • Both the CEP® and the MCEP® are considered hybrid courses, meaning that they are delivered through a combination of self study and attorney led instruction. Your job is to focus on the self study portion, using the attorney led instruction to guide you through the course highlights and practice points in preparation for a comprehensive proctored qualifying examination.

  • Professional educational certifications/designations are not licenses granted and governed by State regulation, e.g., Attorney, CPA, Securities, Insurance. Rather, they are educational credentials that show expertise and proficiency with a particular subject matter, conveyed and maintained with permission from their issuing organizations, e.g., CEP®, CFP®, CLU®. Stated another way - earning a professional educational certification/designation does not grant you the right to "do" any act or "provide" any service that you are not already licensed by your State to do. So, if you are not an attorney, and become a CEP® Professional, can you give legal advice or draft legal documents for others? Absolutely NOT! That is the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

  • Primarily? Education! You are here because you already know that you need to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. So the bottom line is this… educate yourself so that you can educate your clients because everyone needs an estate plan!

    Ultimately? Clients with estate plans! Whether you are a financial, legal, or tax professional , this highly sought after educational credential will add measurable value to your practice and professional team.

  • Yes - fees are discounted beginning with 2 or more simultaneous enrollments. In the case of large groups, a company specific discount code may be provided to extend the discount to future candidates for a certain period. Contact us for details.

  • Yes, our professional certifications are recognized and approved for use nationwide. If necessary, we will be pleased to assist new candidates with requests from companies or organizations seeking to review and approve the use of The NICEP Certification marks for their agents or representatives.

Questions about enrollment?

(765) 453-4300
enroll@nicep.org

Interested in earning the CEP®?