Who does the PCS renewal requirement affect?
What does adding a renewal for the PCS Certificate mean for me?
When does the PCS Certificate renewal go into effect?
Why has the PCS renewal been put in place?
What are the requirements for renewal?
What are the costs associated with the renewal?
What is my renewal date?
How will I know to renew?
How do I renew my PCS Certificate?
How does this benefit me?
Who does the PCS renewal requirement affect?
The PCS renewal requirement affects both current PCS holders and any individuals earning their PCS Certificate on or after July 1, 2012.
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What does adding a renewal for the PCS Certificate mean for me?
Current PCS Holders – You will have until July 1, 2014, to renew your PCS Certificate by completing one of the renewal requirements and submitting the PCS Renewal Form. Once you renew within that grace period, you must complete the renewal requirements and submit the PCS Renewal Form every three years.
New PCS Holders – You will have three years from the date of your PCS completion to fulfill one of the renewal requirements and submit the PCS Renewal Form.
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When does the PCS Certificate renewal go into effect?
The PCS Certificate renewal will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
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Why has the PCS renewal been put in place?
- The PCS renewal requirement has been put in place to keep collectors up to date on the ever-changing legal landscape. The majority of the PCS exam questions focus on FDCPA compliance topics, which can change from year to year.
- Implementing a renewal requirement will add value to this core ACA designation. Having a renewal requirement demonstrates the value of training to ACA members. This will positively impacts ACA’s position in the industry in the eyes of ACA members and their clients, regulators and federal agencies.
- Implementing a renewal requirement based on continuing education or re-testing brings this program in line with ACA’s other credentialing program. The Credit & Compliance Officer, Healthcare Collection Management and Trainer Specialist Designations all require periodic renewal.
- This is an inexpensive way to ensure your organization’s internal training works. By offering an exam option as a renewal requirement, you will have an impartial way to test and confirm your collectors’ knowledge
- Reinstating the renewal requirement also helps Campus ACA achieve its part of the ACA strategic plan goals to provide state-of-the-art education and credentialing.
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What are the requirements for renewal?
Current PCS Holders – Individuals that currently hold their PCS Certificate are required to renew their designation by July 1, 2014.* To qualify for renewal, the PCS holder must submit the PCS Renewal Form with applicable fees during the grace period*, and participate in qualifying continuous education through ACA by completing ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
*After the initial grace period, PCS Certificate holders are required to renew their designation every three years with applicable fees.
New PCS Holders – Individuals that earn a PCS Certificate are required to renew their designation every three years. To qualify for renewal, the PCS holder must submit the PCS Renewal Form with applicable fees during the three-year period, and participate in qualifying continuous education through ACA by attending ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
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What are the costs associated with the renewal?
Current PCS Holders - Current PCS holders must submit the PCS Renewal Form by July 1, 2014*, and participate in continuous education through ACA by attending ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
*After the initial grace period, PCS Certificate holders are required to renew their designation every three years and the renewal fee of $25 (members), $50 (nonmembers), will no longer be waived.
New PCS Holders – PCS Certificate holders must submit the PCS Renewal Form with a renewal fee of $25 (members), $50 (nonmembers) during the three-year period, and participate in qualifying continuous education through ACA by attending ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
For current meeting and seminar registration rates, visit the ACA Event Calendar.
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What is my renewal date?
Current PCS Holders – Once you complete one of the renewal requirements during your initial grace period and submit your PCS Renewal Form with applicable fees, your renewal date is exactly three years from when you renewed your PCS Certificate.
New PCS Holders – Your renewal date is exactly three years from when you earned your PCS Certificate.
How will I know to renew?
Four months prior to your renewal date, ACA staff will send a notification via e-mail to all PCS holders that have a current e-mail address on file. To update your e-mail address or to verify your renewal date, please e-mail campusaca@acainternational.org.
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How do I renew my PCS Certificate?
Current PCS Holders – To qualify for renewal, the PCS holder must submit the PCS Renewal Form with applicable fees by July 1, 2014*, and participate in qualifying continuous education through ACA by attending ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
*After the initial grace period, PCS Certificate holders are required to renew their designation every three years with applicable fees.
New PCS Holders – To qualify for renewal, the PCS holder must submit the PCS Renewal Form with applicable fees during the three-year period, and participate in qualifying continuous education through ACA by attending ONE of the following: 1) ACA Annual Convention 2) ACA Spring Forum 3) ACA Fall Forum 4) ACA’s FDCPA Essentials for Collectors training 5) FDCPA-related seminar 6) Hold ACA’s Trainer Specialist Designation or 7) Re-take the PCS Certificate exam. For a list of qualifying session titles, visit the PCS Certificate Web page.
How does this benefit me?
- Earning a professional designation shows commitment to yourself and the industry in which you work. Implementing the renewal requirement allows individuals to demonstrate industry knowledge and involvement.
- Participating in regular training could lead to higher recoveries or fewer complaints.
- Taking time to renew your designation will distinguish yourself from the crowd.
- Aside from providing a refresher to sharpen your industry skills, renewing your designation can help enhance your personal pride, commitment to excellence, industry knowledge, compliance and industry reputation.
- Over time, the renewal requirement will add value and credibility to the designation you hold.
Still have questions? Contact Campus ACA at (952) 926-6547, or campusaca@acainternational.org.
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