Clarkston Capital

AEP® Designation

Professional estate planners can obtain an accreditation that acknowledges their experience and specialization in estate planning. Simply put, the Accredited Estate Planner® designation means “I believe in the team concept of estate planning.”

Awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils to recognized estate planning professionals who meet special requirements of education, experience, knowledge, professional reputation, and character, the AEP® designation helps both clients and colleagues understand your belief in, and dedication to, the team concept of estate planning.

The Accredited Estate Planner® designation is available to attorneys*, Chartered Life Underwriters®, Certified Public Accountants, Certified Trust and Financial Advisors, Chartered Financial Consultants®, and Certified Financial Planner® practitioners who are actively engaged in estate planning and meet stringent qualifications at the time of application and commit to ongoing continuing education and recertification requirements. 

Why should you be interested in earning the AEP® designation?

  • Gain a competitive edge and set yourself apart from the competition
  • Demonstrate your knowledge, skill, and expertise
  • Identify yourself as a qualified member of the estate planning team
  • Listing on national searchable database including discipline and contact information where one can search by state or zip code
  • AEP® ALERT – bi-monthly electronic newsletter for designees only with original content provided in the “Technical Corner”; archives are available on the NAEPC website and can be accessed by using national username and password
  • Complimentary attendance at the Annual NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Conference
  • Deepest discount for the Robert G. Alexander Webinar Series where designees can earn continuing education credit for the AEP® designation. Programs typically occur on the second Wednesday of every month 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET with the exception of November when we host our annual conference. Special discount for AEP® designees is $40!
  • Designee-only events offered on a complimentary basis where you can meet and network with fellow designees and share your ideas about member benefits with the national leadership.
  • Invitation to contribute to the exclusive AEP® group on LinkedIn

AEP® Candidate Experience and Education Requirements:

  • Eligible candidates with at least 5 years of estate planning-related experience will be considered after passing two required courses with The American College of Financial Services. 
  • Eligible candidates with 15 or more years of experience are exempt from the required courses.
  • A CAEPC council nomination provides an exemption from the required courses with only 10 years of experience.  A council nomination also provides a 50% discount on the application fee and an exemption from the professional references. Click here to learn more and contact a CAEPC AEP® Committee Chair to be considered for nomination before applying (a special application will be given to nominees.)

For additional information, requirements and applications, use these links:

*Attorneys:  if you are conferred the AEP® designation, you should use the following disclaimer wherever possible on your materials that include the AEP® or Accredited Estate Planner® marks: “The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC).” As with most other designations, you should not claim the AEP® designation makes you a “certified specialist” per the State Bar of Arizona’s definition and per Arizona Supreme Court order No. R-20-0030. The NAEPC and CAEPC are not responsible for your use of the AEP® marks and we recommend you contact the Bar’s Ethics Department with any questions/concerns. The Estate Planning Law Specialist or Estate & Trust Law Specialist designation programs may be suitable alternatives in Arizona.