Elevate Your Estate Planning Expertise with a NICEP Certification

Estate Planning Today

There has never been a more important topic or critical time in the story of our nation's wealth. America is in the midst of a profound financial reconfiguration. The Baby Boomer Generation, those born from 1946 to 1964, is now in retirement age. The largest wealth transfer in our nation's history is underway, and while there may be dozens if not hundreds of financial, legal and tax professionals in most localities, it is so common as to be cliché, the average American has done little or no estate planning! This means that all of the hard work you and your clients have done so far may be undone upon their death or disability.

Nevertheless, consumers are more savvy than ever, asking better questions, and looking for guidance. Today, estate planning is on everyone's mind and has become increasingly complex. The NICEP is proud to lead the way in the education and support of financial, legal and tax professionals who desire to meet this need from beginning to end - with compassion, expertise, delivery and follow through.

The comprehensive and demanding field of estate planning requires that planners know how to serve their clients while also safeguarding themselves. This is why the NICEP has designed its course to instruct non-attorney planners, as well as attorneys, in the precise language and best practices for use in their client interactions. Make this course and certification the next “must do” step in your professional development.

Why a NICEP Certification?

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever that you “step up” and “stand out.” Step up to meet the dire need that exists in every locality, because nearly everyone needs an estate plan. Stand out above the crowd of other advisors by enhancing the proficiency and credibility of your practice with a comprehensive education and certification in estate planning from the NICEP.

This is simply the most relevant professional niche possible for today's thoughtful planner.

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Benefits of a NICEP Certification

Client Trust

Demonstrate an ethical commitment to your client’s big picture - a comprehensive estate plan.

ONLY

26%

of Americans have an Estate Plan – a growing national problem

Enhanced Credibility

Distinguish yourself among your peers with a credential that showcases your expertise.

LESS THAN

4%

of advisors nationwide have earned a specialized Estate Planning credential

Professional Growth

Significantly elevate your estate planning knowledge and practice in service to your clients.

NEARLY

90%

of consumers believe an advisor’s professional credentials are important

The NICEP Advantage

Tailored Support

We provide personalized guidance throughout your certification journey.

Expert Instruction

NICEP course materials and attorney led webinars are developed by industry leaders with extensive experience in estate planning.

Recognized Certification

The CEP® designation is a federally registered trademark, listed on the FINRA website, approved for use nationwide, and considered a premier certification in estate planning.

Become a CEP® Professional

Who Chooses a NICEP Certification?

Financial Professionals

The lion’s share of candidates in our programs are financial professionals who use our education and credentials in the education and service of their clients as part of the professional estate planning team.

  • The NICEP is one of our nation's foremost professional educational and support organizations in the area of estate planning for financial professionals. We have active certificants in all of the States, and in various foreign jurisdictions as well. Our professional certifications are listed on the FINRA website, and approved for use nationwide by many of America's leading financial 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. We will be pleased to assist new candidates, when necessary, with requests from companies or organizations seeking to review and approve the use of the NICEP certification marks for their agents or representatives. We are accustomed to the process, language and protocol of review and approval. Once you are certified, individuals and firms can always check our website, or contact our office and request a letter, to verify your current "good standing” with the NICEP.

    Feel free to contact our office for a fair and open conversation about how our certifications differ from similar quality credentials in the industry.

Legal Professionals

We are pleased to have a significant, and dramatically increasing, number of attorneys and other legal professionals who enroll in our programs.

  • The CEP® Certification course is presented, naturally, from a legal framework - what we refer to as the "decision tree" that people must navigate in estate planning. We cover the usual paths and attending consequences, but what generally lies at the heart of the matter is contrasting a Will centered estate plan vs a Trust centered estate plan. The associated ancillary documents are also discussed, how they work and dovetail with each other, as well as the related titling and tax issues.

    The MCEP® Certification course covers topics outside of the usual scope of creating an estate plan - matters such as settling estates, asset protection, entity structuring, and problematic or unusual family circumstances that require more sophisticated Trusts or techniques.

    Whether you are just getting started or a seasoned pro looking to fill in some gaps in your knowledge and broaden the scope of your services, you will benefit greatly from our programs.

Tax Professionals & Others

Rest assured, the course has merit far beyond the scope of educating financial and legal professionals.

  • Our marks have been awarded to (and are being used) by CPAs, and other tax professionals, and a variety of other advanced planners or professionals such as those in the fields Banking, Charitable / Planned Giving, Education, High-end Real Estate / Estate Sales, and more.

    If your clients or constituents have a need for such expertise and educational insight, please bear in mind that our policy regarding candidacy for our program(s) is that applicants must hold a valid current license in either the financial, legal, or tax profession, or receive permission for enrollment based on some other relevant professional interest. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office and request a review of your candidacy if you are interested in pursuing a NICEP certification.

  • "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

  • "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

  • "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