Optional or employer preference
IPPE Payroll Technician Certificate
CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals); IPPE (IPP Education, its awarding subsidiary)
An online payroll qualification. Employers may ask for payroll qualifications; this is not a licence.
- Awarding body
- IPP Education (CIPP)
- Level
- Level 3
- Where it applies
- UK
- Exams
- Assessed by IPP Education — see the course page
- Entry
- Aged 16 or over, with maths and English at Level 2 (GCSE)
- CIPP Affiliate Student membership or above for the length of the course
- Working in payroll is preferable but not essential
- Also required
- Delivered over a 26-week timetable
Assessment and registration fees
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Course fee (excluding VAT) | £1,695 | Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) (opens in a new tab)checked 14 Oct 2026 |
| Assessment resit (excluding VAT) | £75 | Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) (opens in a new tab)checked 14 Oct 2026 |
- VAT is added to these prices. CIPP says prices are valid until 30 June and reviewed annually; some older CIPP pages show a lower price.
Membership and subscriptions
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CIPP Affiliate Student membership | Check current fee with the CIPP | Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) (opens in a new tab)checked 14 Oct 2026 |
Official page: IPP Education (CIPP) (opens in a new tab)Checked 14 Oct 2026