RSSA® Final Certification Exam Now Administered and Proctored by Kaplan

We’re excited to share an important milestone in the continued growth of the RSSA® designation.

Effective July 28, 2026, the RSSA® Final Certification Exam is now administered and proctored by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company.

The College already serves as a distribution partner for the RSSA® education program. Expanding this partnership to include administration and proctoring of the final certification exam provides RSSA® candidates with a standardized, professionally administered testing experience through one of the nation’s most respected providers of professional financial education.

Martha Shedden, President & Co-Founder of NARSSA, shared her excitement about the expanded partnership:

“I couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Kaplan Financial Education and the College for Financial Planning®. The College has a long and distinguished history of advancing professional education in financial services and is widely respected throughout our industry. To now have the RSSA® Final Certification Exam administered through such a respected institution is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

About the RSSA® Final Certification Exam

Successfully passing the RSSA® Final Certification Exam is the culminating step in earning the Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®) credential.

Candidates first complete NARSSA’s comprehensive five-module Social Security education program, which typically takes approximately 30–35 hours to complete. The program covers Social Security rules and benefits, claiming strategies, taxation, Medicare considerations, retirement income planning, and the practical application of Social Security planning strategies using RSSA Roadmap® software.

The final certification exam is designed to validate both a candidate’s knowledge and their ability to apply what they have learned across real-world Social Security planning scenarios.

Exam Structure

The RSSA® Final Certification Exam is administered online in a proctored environment and consists of two parts, with up to four hours of total testing time.

Part I consists of 80 multiple-choice questions covering the core concepts and material presented throughout the RSSA® education program. Candidates have two hours to complete Part I and must achieve a passing score of 75%.

Part II focuses on practical application through two RSSA Roadmap® case studies. Candidates analyze each case and answer 20 multiple-choice questions, with one hour allotted for each case study. A passing score of 75% is required on each case.

Together, the two parts assess a candidate’s understanding of Social Security rules and concepts as well as their ability to evaluate client circumstances, analyze claiming strategies, and apply their knowledge to practical planning scenarios.

Candidates who successfully pass the examination and satisfy the applicable professional eligibility requirements earn the Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®) credential.

What This Means for Current RSSA® Candidates

For candidates currently progressing through the RSSA® education program, the education and preparation process leading up to the final exam remains unchanged.

Candidates will continue to complete NARSSA’s five-module education program and prepare for the final certification exam using the education, resources, exam preparation support, and RSSA Roadmap® software provided through the program.

The transition to the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company applies specifically to registration, administration, and proctoring of the RSSA® Final Certification Exam.

Once candidates have completed the required education and are ready to take the exam, they can register for an available exam date and complete the online proctored examination through the College for Financial Planning®.

An Important Step Forward for RSSA®

Having the RSSA® Final Certification Exam administered and proctored by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is another important step in strengthening the RSSA® credential and supporting its continued growth within the financial services industry.

As the RSSA® program continues to grow, NARSSA remains committed to maintaining high standards for professional education, examination integrity, and practical application. This expanded partnership supports that commitment while providing professionals pursuing the RSSA® credential with a consistent, professionally administered certification exam experience.

Current and prospective candidates can learn more about the exam format, upcoming exam dates, registration process, and applicable fees on the RSSA® Final Exam page.