Accreditation for lay trustees

 

Our accreditation programme for lay trustees is built to professional trusteeship standards. This special seal of approval demonstrates to pension schemes your high degree of competency to drive best practice decision-making and help them navigate the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.

 

Our accreditation programme sets high standards for lay trustees. It’s designed and managed by us, leveraging over 40 years of experience and leadership in driving educational and learning standards for trustees in the pensions sector.

At the core of accreditation is the requirement for lay trustees to complete both parts of our Certificate of Pension Trusteeship, which was originally designed for professional trustees. This sets a high bar, equipping you with professional trustee standard knowledge

We’ll be by your side, every step of the way as you work towards accreditation. And once you become accredited, we’ll continue to develop and deliver courses and programmes for you so your accreditation stands the test of time.

We are the recognised all-inclusive trustee membership organisation working for our 6,500 members, providing access to insights, educational programmes and professional development opportunities. And as the official qualifications provider for lay trustees, our name firmly sits behind your accreditation – a seal of approval to pension schemes that you are ready to deliver the highest standards of trusteeship.

Are you ready? Apply now for lay trustee accreditation through our online platform

Requirements

To hold accreditation, lay trustees will have to pass an initial application, which includes the following:

  • Provide evidence of current Pension scheme appointments.
  • Have successfully completed the latest Pensions Regulator’s Trustee Toolkit.
  • Have passed the Pensions Management Institute’s Level 3 Certificate in Pension Trusteeship (CPT) Unit 1 - Professional Trusteeship - a multiple-choice exam of 60 questions, lasting 90 minutes. Please note, learners already holding the Award In Pension Trusteeship (APT), will be exempt from sitting Unit 1, and it will count towards the final certificate as having been completed.
  • Have passed the Pensions Management Institute’s Level 3 Certificate in Pension Trusteeship (CPT) Unit 2 - Soft Skills - a multiple-choice exam of 60 questions, lasting 90 minutes.
  • To complete self-declaration statements. 

If you are successful in your application to become an accredited lay trustee, to maintain your accredited status, you will be required, on an annual basis to:  

  • Provide evidence of current trustee appointment(s).
  • Complete 15 hours relevant continuing professional development (CPD) in the previous year, of which at least 10 must be structured.
  • Complete any new or updated modules in TPR’s Trustee Toolkit.

Fees

Level 3 Certificate in Pension Trusteeship (CPT) Unit 1 exam

Please note: To sit this qualification you must be an active Trustee Group member of the PMI, currently £150 (in 2021).

£300* (members)
£450* (non-members)

*Excluding resit fees if applicable  

Level 3 Certificate in Pension Trusteeship (CPT) Unit 2 exam
Please note: To sit this qualification you must be an active Trustee Group member of the PMI, currently £150 (in 2021).
£300* (members)
£450* (non-members)

Accreditation fee £300+VAT
Renewal fee £150+VAT (members)
£300+VAT (non-members)

PMI Student, Certificate, Diploma, Associate or Fellow members, who are also PMI accredited lay trustees, can enjoy 50% off Trustee Group membership at the next renewal cycle.

Benefits


  • Use of designatory letters LTPMI (Accred). 
  • Professional recognition of the quality of your services. 
  • A listing on PMI Trustee Accreditation Programme public directory. 
  • A certificate of accreditation and an accreditation logo that you can use to promote your accredited status and services.
  • Exclusive invitations to networking events/dinners post Covid-19.
  • Writing opportunities in the Pensions Aspects magazine.
  • Speaking opportunities at PMI events.

PMI also provides an online facility for recording and monitoring of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is a key requirement of ongoing accreditation as a lay trustee. This is done using our secure and robust CPD tool, accessible via the MY PMI member portal.