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Program Vetting Process:
Exit Planning is simply good business strategy. Exit planning combines the plan, concept, effort, and process into a clear, simple strategy to build a business that is transferable through strong human, structural, customer, and social capital. The future of you, your family, and your business are addressed by exit planning through creating value today.
Formally, CEPA® is an acronym for Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Participants who successfully complete the executive MBA style program, and pass the closed book proctored exam, receive the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential.
In reality, A CEPA® is a holistic business advisor that helps a business owner align their business, personal and financial goals while building transferable value into their company so that the owner is always prepared to capitalize on a transition of their company, planned or unplanned.
CEPA Online is a 5-day fully virtual educational experience that allows advisors to gain knowledge about the Exit Planning industry from the comfort of their home or office. An “Edu-Series” experience delivering one-on-one live, simulated education in a way that you will retain and use immediately.
CEPA In-Person is a completely in-person CEPA credentialing program hosted in world-class learning facilities across the country. This in person experience includes numerous opportunities to network with advisors from across the country.
As a professional advisor, credentials, and professional designations provide you with a wealth of industry-specific knowledge. Credentials allow you to advance your career and make you stand out in a market of advisors with similar backgrounds. The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential is the leading credential in the exit planning and business value growth industry, with over 3,000 CEPAs in the marketplace.
Pre-CEPA Program:
Yes, you must read Walking to Destiny: 11 Actions an Owner Must Take to Rapidly Grow Value and Unlock Wealth prior to attending the CEPA credentialing program. You will receive a copy in your CEPA box that is sent to you prior to the program.
- Before your CEPA Online program, read Walking to Destiny by EPI CEO, Christopher Snider to get a general understanding of the Value Acceleration Methodology, on which we base the curriculum.
- Schedule your one-hour Member Experience on-boarding call to walk through the CEPA program, discuss exam logistics, and meet other CEPA candidates in your program.
- Log into your Member Center to access all files needed for the CEPA program and ensure there are no issues ahead of your CEPA program.
- Schedule your Exam.
CEPA Program Logistics:
CEPA Online is a 5-day program that follows a “Layered Learning” model. The three components of the program are a virtual classroom, self-study exercises and case stud work, and daily Faculty Meet Ups.
Developed by nationally recognized experts in the field of exit planning and value acceleration, the CEPA credential is an executive MBA-style program that includes 16 modules taught by 11 expert instructors. CEPA Online is a 5-day program, whereas CEPA In-Person is a 4-day program.
Yes, within one week of completing the program you must take the exam. The exam is 150 multiple choice questions and is administered through Exam Room, an online proctoring service. Further instructions for completing the exam, creating your account, and selecting your exam time will be provided prior to your CEPA program. Once the exams are completed, the results are announced within two weeks of completing the program. A 70% or higher is required to pass the exam.
No, it is included in the cost of the program.
If you would like additional help studying for the exam, we recommend purchasing the CEPA Exam Prep course. It is an on-demand course built to strengthen and reinforce the core competencies required to pass the CEPA exam.
If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt, it can be retaken two additional times (3 exam attempts total) before having to retake the CEPA program. Chris Snider will reach out and schedule a phone call to go over the exam, specifically areas where you struggled, and help prepare you to re-take the exam. You Member Experience representative will help you schedule a re-take of your exam.
Post-CEPA Program:
Yes, CE renewing CEPA holders must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of exit planning related professional development, or 30 hours of exit planning related professional development plus 10 hours of qualifying leadership, authorship, and teaching activities contributing to the exit planning profession. Qualifying leadership activities include volunteering as a chairman, Chair-Elect, or officer for committee service to a qualifying organization other than the applicant’s employer.
Exit Planning Institute offers two membership options. The first option is Credentialed Plus. Credentialed Plus is $895 and includes not only the CEPA credential, but access to CEPA ThinkTanks, the Monthly Member Round Up, and the full EPI Member Center with exclusive content and tools. The second option is Credentialed. Credentialed is $395 and includes only the CEPA credential. The first year at the Credentialed Plus level is included in your program fees.
No, EPI does not have a proprietary software program. To better serve our CEPAs, EPI endorses several software providers through the Alliance Partner Program.
Becoming a Certified Exit Planning Advisor allows you to differentiate yourself from your competitors, gain better access to business owners, and grow your referral network of professional advisors. You will become more engaged on a business owner’s advisor team, have deeper and more holistic conversations with business owners, and received hundreds of marketing and business development tools tailored for owners.