The Certified Card Payment Systems Professional (CCPSP) certification is a prestigious and industry-relevant credential meticulously crafted to equip professionals with in-depth knowledge and practical expertise in the complex and rapidly evolving domain of card payment systems. In a world where digital transactions are becoming the norm, understanding how card payment infrastructures function is essential for individuals working in the banking, financial services, fintech, and retail sectors. This certification empowers participants to navigate the full spectrum of card payment operations — from issuance and transaction processing to security, compliance, and technological advancements.

Card payment systems form the backbone of modern financial transactions and are crucial to the seamless functioning of global commerce. The CCPSP certification delves into the intricacies of various card types, lifecycle management, transaction flows, and settlement procedures while also covering regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and fraud prevention mechanisms. The program also explores how emerging technologies like contactless payments, tokenization, blockchain, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the card payment landscape. Participants will be exposed to real-world scenarios and best practices that ensure operational efficiency, customer trust, and business continuity in the card payments ecosystem.

Certification Program Objectives:

Upon completing the Certified Card Payment Systems Professional (CCPSP) program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the Fundamentals of Card Payment Systems: Develop a solid foundation in how card payment systems operate, including key players, infrastructure, and transaction models.
• Manage Card Issuance and Lifecycle Processes: Gain insights into card types, issuance strategies, activation procedures, and end-to-end lifecycle management, including replacement and deactivation.
• Master Transaction Processing and Settlement: Learn the end-to-end flow of card transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement processes that drive the financial ecosystem.
• Implement Risk and Fraud Management Strategies: Acquire the skills to detect, prevent, and respond to card payment fraud, data breaches, and system vulnerabilities through robust security frameworks.
• Navigate the Regulatory and Compliance Landscape: Understand the global and local compliance requirements, such as PCI DSS, EMV standards, and KYC/AML protocols relevant to card payments.
• Leverage Emerging Technologies in Card Payments: Explore the future of card payments through innovations in contactless payments, tokenization, real-time settlements, and blockchain integrations.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for certification from The American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) and its allied institutions, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution

And/or

• 2 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the related professional field.

Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the AIBM evaluation committee.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CCPSP, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by AIFB.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Card Payment Systems
• Module 2: Card Types, Issuance, and Lifecycle Management
• Module 3: Transaction Processing and Settlement
• Module 4: Risk Management, Security, and Fraud Prevention
• Module 5: Regulatory Framework and Compliance Standards
• Module 6: Emerging Technologies in Card Payments

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified Card Payment Systems Professional (CCPSP) certification is ideal for a broad spectrum of professionals involved in or aspiring to enter the card payments and financial technology sectors. The certification is particularly suitable for individuals in the following roles and industries:

• Banking and Financial Services Professionals: Employees working in card operations, retail banking, or digital payments will gain critical insights into the technical and operational aspects of card payment systems, equipping them to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Payment Processors and Card Scheme Operators: Professionals working with or for card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, or other domestic/international schemes will benefit from understanding transaction routing, risk mitigation, and global compliance.
• FinTech Specialists and Product Managers: Individuals developing digital payment solutions or card-linked services can leverage this certification to enhance product design, compliance readiness, and user experience with innovative technologies.
• Risk Managers and Fraud Analysts: Experts responsible for detecting and managing transaction-level and system-wide risks will gain advanced knowledge in real-time fraud prevention, chargeback analysis, and compliance enforcement.
• Regulatory Compliance Officers: Those tasked with ensuring adherence to payment standards and data protection regulations will deepen their understanding of PCI DSS, GDPR, EMV, and other frameworks essential to secure card payment environments.
• IT Professionals in Payment Systems: System engineers, database administrators, and software developers involved in developing or maintaining card processing infrastructure can use this certification to align their technical solutions with business, compliance, and customer requirements.
• Retailers and E-commerce Operators: Merchants accepting card payments, both in-store and online, can use this knowledge to better understand acquiring relationships, interchange fees, transaction settlement timelines, and dispute resolution processes.
• Entrepreneurs and Startups in Digital Payments: Founders and operational leads building payment startups can gain a structured understanding of how to integrate card payment systems, negotiate with processors, and innovate securely and compliantly.

This certification is crafted for professionals across industries aiming to specialize in the card payment domain, enhance their career prospects, contribute to building secure and innovative payment ecosystems, and remain ahead in the financial technology evolution.