{
  "dataset": {
    "id": "acobs-certifications",
    "schemaVersion": "1.1",
    "site": "employee-benefits-certification.com",
    "title": "ACoBS Employee Benefits Certification Database",
    "description": "Structured comparison data on the four ACoBS employee benefits certifications for the U.S. market — CMBS (medical), CPBS (pharmacy), RBMS (retirement) and VBMS (voluntary benefits) — plus the two official bundle options. Per program: list price in USD, CEU accreditations (SHRM, HRCI, ACPE, L&H), delivery formats, focus area, primary audience and regulatory coverage. All facts documented on this site's editorial review pages.",
    "metaDescription": "All 4 ACoBS employee benefits certifications (CMBS, CPBS, RBMS, VBMS) plus bundles with prices, CEU accreditations and delivery formats. As table and JSON, free to use (CC BY 4.0).",
    "keywords": [
      "employee benefits certification",
      "ACoBS",
      "CMBS",
      "CPBS",
      "RBMS",
      "VBMS",
      "SHRM CEU",
      "HRCI CEU",
      "ACPE"
    ],
    "variableMeasured": [
      "Price in USD",
      "CEU accreditations",
      "Delivery formats",
      "Focus area",
      "Primary audience",
      "Regulatory coverage"
    ],
    "language": "en",
    "itemType": "service",
    "itemNoun": "certification programs",
    "itemNounSg": "program",
    "itemNounArtikel": "Each",
    "offerLabel": "Provider",
    "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "attribution": "employee-benefits-certification.com",
    "created": "2026-08-12",
    "modified": "2026-09-01",
    "priceCurrency": "USD",
    "priceNote": "List prices in USD as published by ACoBS and documented on this site's editorial review pages (status: 2025). Monthly and quarterly payment plans are available for all options; bundle savings are calculated against single-certification pricing.",
    "disclosure": "Offer URLs are affiliate links (ad).",
    "methodikNote": "All facts come from this site's editorial review pages, which document the officially published ACoBS program information (curriculum, accreditation, pricing).",
    "sortNote": "Sorted by price ascending; the four single certifications share the same price and appear in site order (CMBS, CPBS, RBMS, VBMS), followed by the two bundles.",
    "canonicalHtml": "https://employee-benefits-certification.com/daten-acobs-certifications.html",
    "canonicalJson": "https://employee-benefits-certification.com/daten/acobs-certifications.json",
    "itemCount": 6,
    "related": {
      "page": "compare-all-certifications.html",
      "title": "Compare All Certifications",
      "text": "CMBS vs CPBS vs RBMS vs VBMS — full feature comparison with a decision guide for each role."
    },
    "changelog": [
      { "date": "2026-08-12", "note": "Initial release with 4 certification programs and 2 bundle options" },
      { "date": "2026-09-01", "note": "Price verification against official acobs.org pages (FAQ + individual certification pages): all 4 single certifications confirmed at $2,750, both bundles confirmed at $4,125 and $7,195 — no changes. priceSource added per item." }
    ]
  },
  "fields": {
    "ceuCredits": {
      "type": "string",
      "label": "CEU Credits",
      "description": "Continuing-education accreditations the program carries (SHRM, HRCI, ACPE, L&H licensed)"
    },
    "deliveryFormats": {
      "type": "string",
      "label": "Delivery Formats",
      "description": "Available delivery formats of the program"
    },
    "focusArea": {
      "type": "string",
      "label": "Focus Area",
      "description": "Core subject matter of the curriculum"
    },
    "primaryAudience": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Roles the program is primarily built for"
    },
    "regulatoryCoverage": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "U.S. regulations and regulatory bodies covered by the curriculum"
    },
    "lifetimeAccess": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Whether enrollment includes lifetime access to program materials and updates"
    },
    "paymentPlans": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Whether monthly and quarterly payment plans are available"
    },
    "includedPrograms": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Which certification programs a bundle includes (bundle items only)"
    }
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "id": "cmbs",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "CMBS — Certified Medical Benefits Specialist",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "single certification",
      "description": "ACoBS certification for HR professionals and benefits administrators who manage employer-sponsored group health plans. Curriculum: medical plan design, cost containment strategy, utilization management, governance and fiduciary duty.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 2750 },
      "attributes": {
        "ceuCredits": "SHRM, HRCI, L&H",
        "deliveryFormats": "Virtual instructor-led (expert-led group)",
        "focusArea": "Medical plans, ACA, cost containment",
        "primaryAudience": "HR Directors, Benefits Managers",
        "regulatoryCoverage": "ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "editorial": {
        "verdict": "Editorial rating 9.2/10 — highest-rated single specialty certification in the medical benefits space on this site"
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "cmbs-certification.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/cmbs/certified-medical-benefits-specialist/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    },
    {
      "id": "cpbs",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "CPBS — Certified Pharmacy Benefits Specialist",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "single certification",
      "description": "The only pharmacy benefits certification in the U.S. recognized by ACPE. Curriculum: PBM contract analysis and auditing, formulary and rebate management, specialty drug management, transparent benefit design. Available in four delivery formats.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 2750 },
      "attributes": {
        "ceuCredits": "ACPE, SHRM, HRCI, L&H",
        "deliveryFormats": "Virtual instructor-led, self-paced online, in-person, on-demand",
        "focusArea": "PBMs, formulary, specialty drugs",
        "primaryAudience": "PBM Analysts, Clinical Pharmacists",
        "regulatoryCoverage": "PBM contracts, FDA, CMS",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "editorial": {
        "verdict": "Editorial rating 9.5/10 — top-rated ACoBS certification on this site (ACPE accreditation, most flexible formats)"
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "cpbs-certification.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/cpbs/certified-pharmacy-benefits-specialist/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    },
    {
      "id": "rbms",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "RBMS — Retirement Benefits Management Specialist",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "single certification",
      "description": "ACoBS certification for professionals responsible for employer-sponsored retirement plans. Curriculum: plan fundamentals and compliance, ERISA fiduciary standards and governance, investment strategy and risk management, participant education.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 2750 },
      "attributes": {
        "ceuCredits": "SHRM, HRCI, L&H",
        "deliveryFormats": "Virtual instructor-led (expert-led group)",
        "focusArea": "401(k), ERISA fiduciary, pensions",
        "primaryAudience": "401(k) Administrators, CFOs",
        "regulatoryCoverage": "ERISA, IRS, DOL, SECURE 2.0",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "editorial": {
        "verdict": "Editorial rating 8.8/10 — strong rating for professionals with direct retirement plan responsibilities"
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "rbms-certification.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/rbms/retirement-benefits-management-specialist/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    },
    {
      "id": "vbms",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "VBMS — Voluntary Benefits Management Specialist",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "single certification",
      "description": "ACoBS certification focused on voluntary and supplemental employee benefits. Curriculum: voluntary product design, employee communications and engagement, vendor evaluation and contracting, total rewards integration.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 2750 },
      "attributes": {
        "ceuCredits": "SHRM, HRCI, L&H",
        "deliveryFormats": "Virtual instructor-led (expert-led group)",
        "focusArea": "Voluntary products, total rewards",
        "primaryAudience": "CHROs, Total Rewards Leaders",
        "regulatoryCoverage": "State insurance, ERISA basics",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "editorial": {
        "verdict": "Editorial rating 8.6/10 — recommended for total rewards leaders and voluntary benefits specialists"
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "vbms-certification.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/vbms/voluntary-benefits-management-specialist/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    },
    {
      "id": "certification-bundle",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "Certification Bundle (any 2 programs)",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "bundle",
      "description": "Any two of the four ACoBS certification programs at a combined price of $4,125 — a $1,375 saving versus two single enrollments.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 4125 },
      "attributes": {
        "includedPrograms": "Any 2 of CMBS, CPBS, RBMS, VBMS",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "compare-all-certifications.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/faqs/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    },
    {
      "id": "full-access-bundle",
      "type": "service",
      "name": "Full Access Bundle (all 4 programs)",
      "brand": "ACoBS",
      "category": "employee-benefits-certification",
      "subcategory": "bundle",
      "description": "All four ACoBS certification programs (CMBS, CPBS, RBMS, VBMS) at a combined price of $7,195 — a $3,805 saving versus four single enrollments.",
      "pricing": { "model": "one-time", "currency": "USD", "price": 7195 },
      "attributes": {
        "includedPrograms": "All 4: CMBS, CPBS, RBMS, VBMS",
        "lifetimeAccess": true,
        "paymentPlans": true
      },
      "offers": [
        {
          "merchant": "ACoBS",
          "url": "https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=91823&id=2819084&clickref=daten-acobs-certifications",
          "sponsored": true
        }
      ],
      "source": { "page": "compare-all-certifications.html" },
      "priceSource": "https://www.acobs.org/faqs/",
      "dateVerified": "2026-09-01"
    }
  ]
}