NCPRoadmap

Version 9.0Updated July 2018

For 2019 NCP ExamApril 20 – May 11, 2019

Your Roadmap to SuccessAn Action Plan for

Achieving your NCP

Register for NCP Exam (deadline March 31st)

http://store.eccho.org/

See the value of getting your NCP.Check out Blueprint to see exam categories

http://www.eccho.org/ncpc_exam_blueprint

ECCHO Study Aids (available to registered test

takers)

Develop a study plan

Sign up for NCP Exam preparation training

www.eccho.org/ncpc_training

Consider your schedule and if you have time to

study for NCP

Take a Training Class

Take The Exam

Study, Study, Study, Repeat

EXIT 1

EXIT 2

EXIT 7

EXIT 5

EXIT 9

EXIT 8

EXIT 6

EXIT 4

EXIT 3

The NCP exam covers a broad range of

materials. Test takers frequently ask about the best approach to prepare and study for

the exam.

The Roadmap provides suggestions for how to plan and

study. However, it is up to each individual

to ultimately determine the

approach best suited for them.

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EXIT 1Discover

EXIT 2Assess

EXIT 3Register

EXIT 4ECCHO

EXIT 5Study Plan

Check out the NCP exam blueprint

http://www.eccho.org/ncpc_exam_blueprint

Discover the four areas of exam content

Review the percentage of test questions that come from each area

Check your schedule to see if you have the time to study for the NCP exam

Most NCPs studied more than 90 hours

to pass the exam

Most NCPs took an exam preparation

training course

Register for the examhttp://store.eccho.org

Exam window isApril 20 – May 11,

2019https://www.eccho.org/

ncp_considering

Exam fees$400 ECCHO Members &

Sponsoring Orgs$500 non-Members

To find out if your FI is an ECCHO member:

http://www.eccho.org/memberships and use

search box on left.

You can pay for the exam with a credit card or check. You

can pay for more than one registrant at a

time.

Check out ECCHO’s helpful study aids which

are offered to all NCP Exam Registrants

P.R.E.P. Guide with:• Program logistics• Training info• Study tips• Quiz questions• Sample multiple-choice

exam

Personalize study plan. Map accordingly on calendar and create

checklist with ample time on each Blueprint subject.

Review PREP Guide. Content sections could

create study plan/guide. Read more than once.

Consider purchasing tools: CheckPro testing & flashcardshttps://www.eccho.org/partner_

resources

Form study group for phone or in-person meetings with

email study chain for reinforcement.

Review Question of the Day:• Review and repeat daily

until confident• Integrate into study group

Make own flash cards of study materials

Question of the Day • Emails initiate in January• 1 question / business day• Answer for yesterday sent

next day with new question• Consolidated each week in

online reference; can be used as study “flash cards”

• Keeps NCP front-of-mind• Open-ended; different style

than exam multiple-choice• Use level of detail provided

as appropriate study level

Study with potential questions in mind.

Consider the type of info you are studying and how that info might translate into a question. Tactical info will result in more

detailed questions than strategic info.

For Roadside Assistance Call 877-273-7316

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EXIT 6Select Training

EXIT 7Training Class

EXIT 8Study, Repeat

EXIT 9The Exam

Sign up for NCP Exam Preparation Training

Select your training program from our Educational Partnershttp://www.eccho.org/ncpc_training

Consider what type of training is most effective for you:

• Webinar or in-person• Program with more/less time

between each class• Program that is closer/

farther from test window

Determine requirements:• One or more test takers• Single or multiple locations

Discuss needs with the NCP training provider

Take NCP Training Class

Take notes in class. Highlight most important points on the slide deck.

Ask questions in class.

Steal bits of study time:• When commuting or traveling• When waiting for a conference

call to begin• On coffee break & lunch

Plan more intense study sessions just before test. Consider

dedicating an entire weekend, or minimally one full day to study

shortly before the exam.

Spend more time on materials you do not know and just

refresh on topics you know well.

Spend more time on sections with higher # of test questions:• Rules & Regs (34%)• Operations (33%)• Fraud & Risk (25%)• Check Products (8%)

Review materials following class. Ensure

that you understand everything covered.

Create flash cards from major points.

Familiarize yourself with the look of the exam and the

facility keyboard especially if you have never taken an online

exam.https://candidate.psiexams.com/t

utorial.jsp

Be sure of location & parking at test site prior to day of exam. Know how long it takes to get

there at exam time of day (consider possible delays).

Get to the test site early with your two (2) IDs and paperwork. Take a few minutes to go over

notes or key flashcards one more time and then relax. Leave cell phone & personal belongings

in your car.

Review materials before each session. Write down

any questions.

Subjects covered in class highlight subjects covered

on the examBe consistent and intentional

with your study time

Listen to recordings of training sessions to review materials

During the exam:• Mark questions that you are

unsure of to go back after you have answered all others

• Enlist proctor to resolve issues

Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam. ZZzzzz…

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GPS Study GuideA hands on tool to navigating

The NCP Exam topics

STUDY STOP 1: Approaching Blueprint

STUDY STOP 2:Rules and Regulations

(34% of exam)

STUDY STOP 3:Operations

(33% of exam)

STUDY STOP 4:Fraud and Risk (25% of exam)

STUDY STOP 5:Regulation CC Review

STUDY STOP 6:Understanding UCC 3 & UCC 4

STUDY STOP 7:Mapping the Fed Operating

Circular 3 (OC3)and ECCHO Rules

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STUDY STOP 1Blueprint

STUDY STOP 2Rules/Regs

STUDY STOP 3Operations

STUDY STOP 4Fraud & Risk

Determine the best approach for covering all topics within

the NCP Blueprint

Create your plan guided by your level of expertise and the

# of questions in each area:• Rules & Regs (34%) – See Stop 2• Operations (33%) – See Stop 3• Fraud & Risk (25%) – See Stop 4• Product (8%) - below

Check Products (8%)Understand: types of checks,

ICL, ARP, controlled disbursement, positive pay, RCC,

lockbox, RDC, ACH check conversion

Rules & Regs (34%) Reference materials:

http://www.eccho.org/ncpc_training

Operations (33%)Understand at a high level payment

system overview, item processing, Day 1/Day 2 processes, and for which

party, the parts and parties of a check, MICR line, RTs, indorsements,

collections, clearing, settlement, float, returns & adjustments

Fraud & Risk (25%)Understand Fraud: payments, preventative measures, check

schemes, account, identity, telemarketing,

Understand Risk: types, mitigation, strategies and RDC If you don’t use a partner

training program, we advise you to study these

reference materials in more detail.

The NCP exam is designed to demonstrate an expert level

of knowledge. The exam tests your understanding through

application to business situations. Expect questions in

scenario form.

Review Regs and Rules as outlined in

STUDY STOPS 5, 6 & 7

Understand FFIEC:• What is it?• What is its purpose?• Who participates?

Note: Level of detail devoted to FFIEC Guidance documents

related to # of questions on these topics from prior test takers.

FFIEC Guides/Booklets for:• Retail Payment Systems:https://ithandbook.ffiec.gov/media/211685/retailpaymentsystems2016.pdfInformation Security: https://ithandbook.ffiec.gov/ITBooklets/FFIEC_ITBooklet_InformationSecurity.pdfRemote Deposit Capture: http://www.ffiec.gov/pdf/pr011409_rdc_guidance.pdf• Authentication and Supplement

https://www.ffiec.gov/pdf/authentication_guidance.pdf and http://www.ffiec.gov/pdf/Auth-ITS-Final%206-22-11%20%28FFIEC%20Formated%29.pdf

• Operations:https://www.eccho.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/FFIEC_ITBooklet_Operations.pdf

Review Standards and Technical Reports (TRs):

• Check Endorsements: X9.100-111• IRD/Substitute Checks: X9.100-140• Image Exchange: X9.100-187• Return Reasons: X9.100-188• TIFF: X9.100-181 (overview only)• Technical Reports:

- TR-2 Designing Checks- TR 47 Universal Companion

Document (UCD)• See P.R.E.P. Guide for more details on these X9 standards

Understand cash letter prep, record types for forward (20-series) and

return (30-series) check image files; Understand RTs and formats (MICR

and fractional) and substitute check.

Some info is strategic while some is detailed. Study at an

appropriate level.

Note: Level of detail devoted to Rules & Regs related to

# of questions on these topics from prior test takers

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STUDY STOP 5Regulation CC

STUDY STOP 6UCC 3 & UCC 4

STUDY STOP 7OC3 & ECCHO Rules

Review Regulation CCReg CC Online version

(Online version can be easier to navigate;Note links to updates eff. Jul-2018)

Learn the four subparts of Reg CC, what each contains and why they are

important

Review content covered in the Appendices with focus on Appendix E – Commentary

Understand purpose, definitions and processes (not limited to):

• Availability (all checks local now)• Banking day and Business Day• Check, electronic check and electronic

returned check• Collection of checks and all parties and

their responsibilities (incl: depositary bank, paying bank, returning bank, indemnifying bank)

• Disclosures• Electronically Created Item (ECI)• Indemnifications, including RDC

Indemnity and ECI Indemnity• Indorsements and related standards• Remotely created checks• Returns• Substitute checks• Warranties

Understand UCC 3 and UCC 4Utilize online versions for convenient scanning: http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/3/article3.htmhttp://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/4/article4.htm

(Note: Order a printed copy to see all comments)

Understand both: ECCHO Ruleshttps://www.eccho.org/cc/index.php?p_sector=cc_rules&p_matter=cc_login_rulesFed Operating Circular 3 (OC3)https://www.frbservices.org/assets/resources/rules-regulations/072315-operating-circular-3.pdf

Click on UCC table of contents - scan what is covered in each of these two articles

Important topics (not limited to):• Collection of funds• Negotiable instrument: definitions,

requirements, provisions• Holder• Holder in due course• Indemnification• Indorsement• Liability of the parties• Negotiation• Transfer• Warranties• Enforcement of instruments• Relationship between payor bank and its

customers

Understand the purpose and importance of UCC Article 3 and UCC Article 4 and

familiarize yourself with all definitions and key provisions

Understand the differences between the rule sets, state law & federal regulations

Understand the need for rules/regs in image exchange, when each applies,

forward and return scenarios for ECCHO Rules/ Fed OC3, high level warranties

and indemnifications.Understand various types of exceptions within ECCHO Rules and Fed OC3 and

how to handle (at a high level)

Understand ECCHO Rules including: warranties, Rule 8, Rule 9 provisions,

how ECCHO Rules work with UCC/Reg CCNote: Reading ECCHO Rules Summary can be

helpful in understanding high level Ruleshttps://www.eccho.org/cc/index.php?p_sector=c

c_rules&p_matter=cc_login_rules

Understand what an exchange agreement is, other similar agreements, common

components and purpose.Understand how agreements relate to

other rules and regulations

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NCPRoadmap

Version 9.0Updated July 2018

Good Luck on the Exam!