Vet the carrier.Defend
the plan. Earn VBMS.
The credential for the person who selects, and holds accountable, the voluntary benefits vendors employees rely on. A self-paced certification in plan design, carrier selection, ongoing vendor oversight, and ERISA compliance, built for HR, brokers, and compliance professionals managing voluntary benefits.
- L&H
- HRCI
- SHRM
- CPE
Voluntary doesn’t mean optional oversight.
HR & Benefits Leaders
Cut costs, keep control, and deliver better outcomes for the plan and its members.
Brokers & Consultants
Practical medical benefits training that wins and retains clients.
Third-Party Administrators
Deliver stronger medical oversight to the groups you administer for.
Pharmacists
Go beyond dispensing and understand the business side of the medical plan.
Built to be defensible,
not just
enrolled.
- Video lessons with interactive knowledge checks
- Downloadable workbooks & training guide
- Industry-specific reports & real-world case studies
- Voluntary Benefits Management Specialist (VBMS) credential
- Free content updates year round
- Learn at your pace, from anywhere
01
Foundations of Voluntary and Retirement Benefits
02
Plan Types and Funding Models
03
ERISA, DOL, and Fiduciary Duty
04
Plan Design, Enrollment Strategies, and Behavioral Economics
05
Carrier Selection, Pricing Models, and Contract Negotiation
06
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation and Executive Benefits
07
Technology, Data Integration, and Benefit Administration
08
Consultative Selling, Stewardship, and Ethics in Voluntary Benefits
+
Final exam & capstone project
Real advisors.
Real vendor wins.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from this training. I have other designations, and I can honestly say this was, by far, the most challenging certification course I’ve taken.”
“I couldn’t have imagined learning as much as I did over these 8 weeks, especially as it pertains to hidden revenue streams and ambiguous contract language that ultimately drives up costs for the plan sponsor.”
“I truly thank you for putting together this class. I learned more than I ever thought I would. I have always found it hard to concentrate in school, and you kept me engaged and answered all my questions.”
One rate.
Every update included.
Individual Certification
One VBMS seat, self-paced.
- On-demand video lessons
- Downloadable workbooks & training guide
- Real-world industry reports
- Certificate of Completion
- Free updates year round
- Best for teams
Team Certification
2 seats, $1,000 savings vs. enrolling separately.
- $1,000 savings on 2 registrations
- pay later
- 2 full VBMS registrations
- On-demand video lessons
- Downloadable workbooks & training guide
- Real-world industry reports
- Certificate of Completion, free updates
Before you
enroll.
VBMS is a training and certification track built to equip HR leaders, brokers and consultants, compliance officers, and TPAs with the skills to evaluate, implement, and manage voluntary benefits programs with confidence and credibility.
Yes. Upon achieving a course grade of 85% or better, you earn the CMBS® credential.
You have twelve months to complete the program, though most candidates finish in as little as three months.
Yes, up to 20 CE credit hours across L&H, HRCI, SHRM, and CPE.
Yes. For every two enrollees, you save $1,000 versus enrolling individually.
You would purchase three team-rate licenses and one individual-rate license. Depending on your group size, it can also be worth purchasing an extra two-seat license, for example four two-seat licenses for 8 enrollees would yield a $4,000 total discount.
Eight courses plus a final exam and capstone project, covering plan foundations, funding models, ERISA and DOL fiduciary duty, enrollment strategy and behavioral economics, carrier selection and contract negotiation, executive benefits, technology and administration, and ethics. See the full curriculum above.
Recertification is required every two years and costs as low as $495. To renew, complete one module of your choice from your certification’s curriculum, plus a short ethics course, no need to repeat the full program. Keeping your recertification status current is the student’s responsibility. Questions, or ready to renew? Email info@acobs.org.
Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 85% to earn certification. Two examination attempts are included with initial enrollment and the highest score earned is recorded. Candidates who do not achieve a passing score after the two included attempts may enroll in any subsequent cohort for a $200 examination fee. Enrollment provides access to the full program, including all course materials and instruction, through the cohort’s final examination. The examination fee includes up to two exam attempts for that cohort. Candidates may continue to enroll in future cohorts until they achieve a passing score.
See Know more than the
carrier expects you to.
Self-paced, practitioner-built, and built around the real work of choosing, pricing, and overseeing a voluntary benefits vendor.