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 a nationally recognized credential for employee benefits professionals. The REBC® designation was originally developed by The American College of Financial Services and was acquired by NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals) in 2017. NABIP currently administers and supports the REBC® program. 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 through a rigorous national designation program now administered by NABIP — a credential 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
The REBC® is an advanced employee-benefits designation administered by NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals), requiring completion of a prescribed professional curriculum and ongoing continuing education. For current curriculum and CE requirements, visit <a href="https://www.nabip.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NABIP.org</a>.
Complete the Required Coursework
Candidates must complete a prescribed professional curriculum administered by NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals), covering group benefits planning, health insurance, disability income, retirement planning for employees, and advanced topics in benefits consulting.
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 a professional 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 REBC® designation requires ongoing continuing education to remain active. REBC® holders must complete 24 continuing professional credits 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.