About the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Certified Senior Advisor
Candidates for the CSA certification must meet all eligibility requirements, which are found here: Certification page.
The cost of both the certification application and CSA exam fee is $395. Go to the Course Options and Pricing page for more specific pricing information on obtaining the CSA certification.
The CSA exam is given by Pearson Vue, which offers computer-based testing (CBT) locations across the country. To find the facility closest to you, click here.
The Working with Older Adults education course is not a requirement of earning the CSA certification.
Enroll now by completing the online application or call us at (800) 653-1785 to speak with a National Account Manager and complete your application over the phone.
There are three steps to earning the CSA certification: Candidates must pass the CSA exam and complete the CSA’s Role, Rules, and Responsibilities Ethics Module. The third step is passing a required background check. The designation process is complete once a candidate has passed the exam, completed the Ethics Module and passed the background check.
Candidates have one year from their application date to complete the CSA exam and the CSA’s Role, Rules, and Responsibilities ethics module/exam.
There are 9 sections on the CSA exam, which can be viewed on the Exam Information page.
Students take the CSA exam at a Pearson Vue computer-based testing center and receive their results immediately after finishing the exam.
Re-taking the CSA exam may be done for a fee of $115. Click here to see more information about the CSA Exam.
Professionals in many different fields have chosen to become a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). Because CSAs come from a variety of professional backgrounds, salary and pay for Certified Senior Advisors can vary widely. Pay varies from industry to industry, and from person to person based on levels of experience.
Education and Training
View the tuition pricing for the online and live course reviews on the Course Options and Pricing page.
Classes (live course reviews) are held at locations around the country. Click here to view the updated class dates and locations on the Community Calendar.
Yes, the online course review includes the Working with Older Adults textbook and course study guide, in addition to interactive course modules. For more information or to enroll in the online course review, click here.
Please click here to see the options and costs for purchasing the textbook and other course materials.
Current Certified Senior Advisors
The annual renewal fee is $180. Go to the Certification Requirements page for more information about the annual renewal fee and maintaining the CSA certification.
SCSA accepts online payments with debit or credit cards or SCSA vouchers, payments via mail using checks or SCSA vouchers that are included with the Terms of Attestation Statement, payments over the phone using debit or credit cards, electronic checks or SCSA vouchers. For more information, click here.
There are both annual renewal and three-year recertification requirements to maintain the CSA certification. Click here for more details.
CSAs benefit from the credibility and recognition that holding the CSA credential gives, in addition to the many resources available only to CSAs. You can access exclusive CSA benefits through the SCSA website by logging into your personal profile. Non-CSAs can take advantage of some of the free resources available throughout the site.
Most CSA Benefits are available by logging into the CSA website. Other benefits, such as the CSA Journal, are sent directly to each CSA quarterly. Contact SCSA at 800.653.1785 if you have any questions about access to CSA benefits.
To access the logo and other marketing tools available exclusively to CSAs click here.
Your information in the CSA Locator is taken directly from your profile information. To edit your profile, click here.
The login field is at the top right of any page on the SCSA website. Anyone can register to take advantage of the free resources but only CSAs have access to the full website and all benefits. If you have forgotten your password, you can retrieve it with the email address you used to register for the site.
Continuing Education
All CSAs are required to submit 30 hours of continuing education, including 3 ethics CE credits, every three years to recertify. For more information about CSA CE requirements, click here.
CE can be submitted several different ways; click here for options
CSAs can fulfill the ethics requirement by completing The CSA’s Roles, Rules and Responsibilities Ethics Module; click here to access the module (login required). Other ethics courses can also be submitted, as long as they are approved by SCSA.
A number of different activities qualify for CSA CE credit; click here to view descriptions of acceptable CSA CE activities.
No, as long as the CE you complete for other requirements meets the CSA criteria and you have a total of 30 CSA CE credits every three years. Click here to learn about acceptable CE.
Yes you may submit CE completed for your insurance license, as long as it meets the CSA criteria. Click here to find your insurance CE transcripts.
Students
The class review dates, times, and locations can be found in the Community Calendar.
All students may email their questions to society@csa.us with “Question about course content” in the subject line. SCSA Education staff works with subject matter experts to respond to student questions in a timely manner. In addition, live course review students have the opportunity to discuss questions with their expert instructors during class.
Working with Older Adults is an independent, self-paced course. Students who choose the online course option have 6 months of access to electronic course materials, including on demand webinars. Students may use the full 6 months or may elect to finish earlier. Course extensions are available for an additional fee, up to a maximum of 6 months.
Working with Older Adults is an independent, self-paced course. Live course students will attend a three day class at a location of their choosing.
Additionally, students who elect to apply for the CSA Exam have 12 months from the date of application to pass the CSA exam. Those who do not pass must re-enroll in the CSA exam for an additional fee.
Former CSAs
Individuals whose CSA certification was suspended for non-payment may bring their certification current by paying their $180 annual fee plus a $65 late payment fee and completing the CSA Certification Renewal Application (your renewal month will not change). Individuals whose CSA certification was suspended for more than 1 year should contact SCSA to learn about options for redesignating based on their unique status.
Individuals have 1 year to reinstate their CSA certification if they wish to avoid retaking the CSA exam. Additional options for redesignating CSA certification for those outside of 1 year are available which may also include options that do not require re-taking the CSA Exam. Contact SCSA at 800.653.1785 for details.
Reinstating CSA certification can be done for a $245 fee.
There are several options available to former CSAs who wish to recertify. Please contact the Society of Certified Senior Advisors for complete information.
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