Advisers undergo a due diligence process that produces the documentation required to qualify for the prudent selection as a Fiduciary Adviser. The certification is updated annually as required by the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006.

There are four steps to the due diligence process before the adviser is certified for one year and receives a certificate, documentation, listing in FAN Network and the right to advertise his/her rating. Failure at any step will terminate the certification process.

	Candidates complete an application that asks for certain disclosures to determine if basic requirements are met. Fees are paid at this time and refunded if basic requirements are not met. Regulations prevent a refund after an application is accepted.		A background check is performed to determine if disclosures made on the application are complete and accurate. Candidates are notified and given an opportunity to correct erroneous records.
	Candidate notifies all clients that they will be contacted by Dalbar and requests their cooperation. Dalbar contacts clients by e-mail or regular mail to answer standard survey questions. Results must exceed national averages.		Candidates are tested for knowledge of ERISA and the PPA requirements. Upon successful completion of the knowledge test, candidates receive a certificate and documentation, and are granted access to the resources section of the FAN website.
	Certification: Once Steps 1-4 have been successfully completed, an adviser is awarded The DALBAR Certified Fiduciary Adviser Certification (DCFA) and can now take on the responsibility of serving as a fiduciary adviser for 401(k) and other retirement plans. Announcement: The Pension Protection Act (PPA) created a new class of adviser, the fiduciary adviser, specifically to help retirement plan participants to make better investment choices with their retirement nest egg. DALBAR Certified Fiduciary Advisers (DCFA) can publicly announce having earned this certification.

The Fiduciary Adviser Program is eligible for certain CE credits.