REBC®®
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
The REBC® designation is the gold standard for employee benefits professionals — signifying deep expertise in group benefits, healthcare financing, and employer-sponsored plan design.
What is the REBC® Designation?
The Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC®) designation is awarded by The American College of Financial Services — one of the most respected credentialing bodies in the financial services industry. It is specifically designed for professionals who advise employers on group benefits programs, including health insurance, disability coverage, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.
Unlike general insurance licenses, the REBC® goes far beyond product knowledge. It requires a comprehensive understanding of federal and state regulations, plan design strategy, cost management techniques, and the fiduciary responsibilities that come with advising employers on benefits decisions that affect their entire workforce.
For employers, working with an REBC®-designated advisor means working with someone who has demonstrated mastery of the complex, ever-changing landscape of employee benefits — not just someone who sells policies.
What REBC® Stands For
Registered
Formally credentialed and recognized by The American College of Financial Services — a designation that must be earned, not purchased.
Employee
Focused specifically on the employer-employee relationship and the benefits programs that attract, retain, and protect a workforce.
Benefits
Covering the full spectrum of group benefits: health, dental, vision, disability, life, voluntary, and supplemental coverages.
Consultant
An advisor role — not just a salesperson. REBC® holders are trained to analyze, design, and recommend benefits strategies aligned with employer goals.
How the REBC® is Obtained
Earning the REBC® designation requires completing a rigorous curriculum through The American College of Financial Services, passing proctored examinations, and meeting ongoing continuing education requirements.
Complete the Required Coursework
Candidates must complete five college-level courses covering group benefits planning, health insurance, disability income, retirement planning for employees, and advanced topics in benefits consulting. Each course involves substantial reading, case studies, and written assignments.
Pass Proctored Examinations
Each course concludes with a proctored examination that tests mastery of the material. These are not open-book tests — they require genuine command of the subject matter, from ERISA compliance to self-funding mechanics to ACA regulations.
Meet Experience Requirements
Candidates must have at least three years of full-time business experience in a relevant field. This ensures the designation reflects real-world competence, not just academic knowledge.
Agree to a Code of Ethics
REBC® holders must adhere to The American College's Code of Ethics, which requires acting in the best interests of clients, maintaining confidentiality, and upholding the integrity of the profession.
Maintain Through Continuing Education
The designation is not a one-time achievement. REBC® holders must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to stay current with regulatory changes, emerging plan designs, and evolving best practices.
Why the REBC® Matters for Employers
Regulatory Expertise
Employee benefits are governed by a dense web of federal and state laws — ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and more. An REBC® advisor understands these regulations and helps employers stay compliant while maximizing plan value.
Strategic Plan Design
Beyond compliance, REBC® holders are trained to design benefits programs that align with an employer's workforce demographics, budget constraints, and long-term goals — not just renew the same plan year after year.
Cost Management
Healthcare is typically an employer's second-largest expense after payroll. REBC® advisors understand self-funding, reference-based pricing, captive arrangements, and other advanced strategies that can dramatically reduce costs without sacrificing coverage quality.
Fiduciary Accountability
Employers who sponsor benefit plans have fiduciary responsibilities to their employees. Working with an REBC® advisor helps ensure those responsibilities are understood and met — reducing legal exposure and building employee trust.
Work With an REBC®-Designated Advisor
Corry Hull holds the REBC® designation and brings nearly 20 years of employee benefits experience to employers across Northwest Arkansas and beyond.