Beginning something new can be both exciting and a bit daunting at the same time. If you’re not exactly sure how to begin studying for the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS®) designation, enroll in a CEBS Online Study Group With Instructor Support to get guidance and maximize your learning experience. Adhere to the set schedule to make consistent progress. Access interactive games and quizzes to measure your comprehension of course content. Interact with your instructor and classmates to fill gaps in your knowledge and share study tips.

CEBS​​ Online Study Groups are an optional educational resource designed to supplement the self-study approach. Offered over a 12-week session, Online Study Groups provide a timeline to structure your studies and are facilitated by established and experienced CEBS professionals.

What does an online instructor do?

Your online instructor has many roles, including:

• Designing all content and activities in your class to help you retain knowledge and study for your CEBS exam
• Facilitating live review sessions
• Monitoring the discussion forum to provide clarification and guidance to learners
• Creating discussion questions for each module and Benefits in Action Mini Case to stimulate engagement and enhance learning about employee benefits
• Sharing their real-world experience about being a benefits professional
• Answering questions that students submit via the discussion forum, email and private message.

A Chat With Mark Dunlop, CEBS

How has earning the CEBS designation enhanced your career?

“Earning the CEBS designation has significantly enhanced my career, providing both tangible and intangible benefits.

The rigorous coursework deepened my knowledge of both group health and welfare benefits as well as retirement plan components, giving me a holistic understanding of the employee benefits landscape. This mastery enabled me to move beyond transactional benefits administration toward strategic planning and understanding how benefits align with an organization’s overall business objectives and total rewards strategy.

The credibility of the program, jointly sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has also elevated my professional profile. The confidence I gained in discussing complex topics with leadership, colleagues, clients and vendors has opened doors to greater responsibilities and career advancement.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects has been the professional network I’ve gained access to. Through this community, I’ve built lasting connections with peers and mentors who provide invaluable collaboration, insight and support. The designation truly transformed me from a benefits administrator into a strategic benefits expert and trusted business partner.”

What will benefits professionals learn from taking GBA 2?

“Professionals taking GBA 2 gain advanced, practical and strategic knowledge in managing group health and welfare benefit programs. The course focuses on applying core concepts to enhance plan design, administration and strategic decision-making.

Key topics include:

• Understanding the U.S. health care system—its market segments, pricing structures and how they impact plan costs and design

• Premium rating and risk management—including how to evaluate claims experience and manage cost drivers

• Strategic plan design—developing cost-effective provider networks (PPOs, HMOs), influencing participant behavior through plan incentives and implementing quality improvement initiatives

• Alternative delivery models—such as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) and other innovative care approaches.

GBA 2 also explores funding strategies, including self-insured plan management, actuarial principles and compliance requirements. Participants learn how to integrate funding strategies into effective benefit program governance.

Beyond health care, the course covers the design and administration of disability income programs (short-term disability and long-term disability programs), long-term care insurance and group life insurance, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of all major group benefits.

Through Benefits in Action Case Studies, professionals leave GBA 2 equipped to design, administer and defend benefit programs in a complex and evolving regulatory environment.”

Are there any interesting current events, regulatory updates or industry trends related to concepts the GBA 2 course explores?

“Yes, the GBA 2 curriculum closely aligns with several current developments shaping the benefits landscape.

One major area is the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rule, which requires health plans to disclose pricing and cost-sharing information. These emergent regulations are transforming how benefit managers design, communicate and evaluate plan effectiveness.

Another ongoing trend is the shift toward prioritizing employee well-being and mental health, a trend that accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers are expanding behavioral health benefits, integrating telehealth counseling and offering mental health days. GBA 2 emphasizes responsive, employee-centered benefit plan design.

Telehealth continues to evolve from an emergency measure to a core health care delivery model, influencing cost structures, provider networks and access strategies. Similarly, patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) and other integrated care models are becoming central to achieving quality and cost goals.

Finally, ongoing health care inflation is prompting new discussions around premium rating, cost sharing, and how to balance employer and employee contributions—topics deeply rooted in the GBA 2 coursework.”

What are your best study tips for CEBS students?

“Here are a few study strategies that have worked well for me and my students:

1. Teach it to someone else. Explaining key concepts in your own words (such as plan design models or funding structures) helps solidify understanding.
2. Apply it to real life. Connect what you’re learning to your current role or workplace challenges. Real-world context makes the study materials stick.
3. Create quick-reference tools. Flashcards or summary sheets can make last-minute review more effective.
4. Study in small chunks. Short, consistent study sessions are far more effective than cramming.
5. Review practice questions often. Take advantage of the interactive games and quizzes in your CEBS Online Study Group. Access the practice exam provided by the Wharton School to build confidence and familiarity with exam question formats.”

Why would you encourage benefits professionals to earn the CEBS designation?

“Many CEBS designees credit the program as a key factor in advancing their careers, whether through promotions, new leadership opportunities or transitions into broader roles within total rewards. Students often tell me that earning the CEBS designation gave them confidence to lead initiatives, communicate complex benefit strategies and become trusted advisors to senior management. Others were promoted to senior management roles over time and attribute CEBS to helping them grow in their organization.

Several have shared that the CEBS designation was instrumental in career resilience. One student noted that during a company downsizing, those pursuing or holding the CEBS credential were among those retained due to their demonstrated expertise and commitment. Others have successfully transitioned into new areas of HR, such as compensation or retirement, supported by the program’s broad curriculum.

On a personal level, the CEBS community has been an invaluable source of professional and personal connection. I’ve relocated several times throughout my career as I took on new roles and responsibilities, and each move came with an instant network of CEBS peers ready to offer guidance and support. The friendships and mentorships I’ve built have truly enriched my professional journey.

I encourage every benefits professional to consider pursuing the CEBS designation, not only for the knowledge and career growth it provides, but also for the lifelong community it creates.”