Boston Institute of Finance (BIF), a Colibri Group organization, announced its acquisition of the Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) designation from the International Foundation for Retirement Education on February 25, 2026. The CRC® designation is a nationally recognized, independently accredited credential that equips financial professionals with deep, practical expertise in retirement planning.
About the Acquisition of the CRC
Following its own acquisition by Colibri Group in January 2025, BIF has continued to expand its advanced designation portfolio across financial planning and wealth management. Widely respected for helping thousands of candidates earn the CFP® designation through its CFP® Education programs and The BIF Review, a CFP® exam preparation program, BIF brings deep experience, operational scale, and a strong commitment to learner outcomes to the CRC® community.
BIF is committed to advancing the CRC® designation and elevating the standards of retirement planning.
“CRC® is a designation with real purpose in the financial and retirement planning profession,” said Tim Dineen, Vice President at BIF. “It helps professionals develop meaningful retirement planning expertise at an important point in their careers and supports long‑term growth as they deepen and expand their practice. We’re excited to invest in the program and in the professionals it serves.”
The CRC® designation remains independently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Current credential holders and candidates will experience no disruption to their standing, program requirements, or exam testing windows.
“For the CRC® community, this transition is about continuity and long‑term opportunity,” said Kevin Seibert, Managing Director of the CRC® Program at BIF. “I’ve had the privilege of leading the CRC® designation and its community for more than twenty years, and joining BIF allows us to continue that work with greater scale and support. We’re committed to a seamless transition while thoughtfully expanding the reach and impact of the designation.”
With the CRC® program now part of BIF, the designation will continue to be supported by the same dedicated team professionals know and trust, while benefiting from BIF’s long‑term investment and institutional strength.
What Is the Certified Retirement Counselor® Designation?
The Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) is a retirement‑specialist designation accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) that signals mastery of retirement planning, speciffically focusing on income strategies, Social Security, healthcare planning, behavioral elements, and retirement risk management. CRC® professionals also commit to a Code of Ethics and continuing education. It is aimed at professionals who want to be recognized as true retirement planning specialists rather than generalists.
Why Become a Certified Retirement Counselor®
Having your CRC® designation positions you as a retirement specialist, signaling to clients and employers that you have deeper retirement expertise than a generalist advisor. and demonstrates independent, NCCA‑accredited validation of your retirement knowledge. This can enhance credibility with prospective and existing clients and help you stand out among other financial planners.
How Do I Become a Certified Retirement Counselor®
There are four steps to becoming CRC®-certified:
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Complete the registration form to enroll in the CRC® program.
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Pass the Certified Retirement Counselor® Certification Exam
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Complete one of the following either before or within five years of passing the exam:
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Complete a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited university, and gain two years of relevant, retirement-related professional experience.
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Complete or a high school diploma, and gain at least five years of relevant, retirement experience
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Adhere to the Code of Ethics.
Should I Earn My CRC® Designation Before CFP® Marks?
You can earn your CRC® designation before or after you become a CFP® professional as they are both beneficial. If you choose to get your CRC® marks first, it provides an excellent stepping stone for your CFP® Education, giving you a stronger foundation in areas of retirement planning. On the other hand, if you have your CFP® marks, earning your CRC designation will also help you stand out as a specialist in the area of retirement planning, and you'll be more familiar with the material, making the exam prep less challenging.
Either way, having both credentials will benefit you, your career, and your clients.
