The FPC examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are pretest questions that do not count toward the final examination score, but may qualify to appear as test items on upcoming exams. The questions for the examination are obtained from members of the APA Certification Advisory Group and are reviewed and edited for construction, accuracy, and appropriateness by the APA Certification Board's FPC Committee and the testing corporation that is responsible for scoring and designing the examination. Although there are no eligibility requirements to qualify to take the FPC examination, most successful candidates undertake some course of study. APA sponsors and publishes various manuals, software products, and web-based training to help candidates prepare for the examination.
The skills measured include 29% - Core Payroll Concepts: worker status, Fair Labor Standards Act, employment taxes, employee benefits, employee / employer forms, professional responsibility, methods and timing of pay; 17% - Compliance / Research and Resources: escheatment, legislative and regulatory requirements, reporting, record retention, penalties, global; 24% - Calculation of the Paycheck: compensation / benefits, fringe benefits, involuntary deductions / taxes, voluntary deductions, employer taxes and contributions, total payroll; 7% - Payroll Process and Supporting Systems and Administration: maintain master file components, concepts and functionalities, business continuity plan; 7% - Payroll Administration and Management: policies and procedures, intradepartmental agreements, customer service and communication; 8% - Audits: internal control, payroll system controls, accounting systems controls, audit policies and procedures; and 8% - Accounting: financial reporting, accounting principles, payroll journal entry, account reconciliation.