CE Update
Get credit for everything you read, write, hear & present!
NAPFA’s continuing education (CE) policy is an important part of our commitment to the highest competency standards in the industry. During every two-year cycle NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors and Provisional Members complete 60 hours of continuing education spread across a broad range of subjects.
Our requirement is actually two-fold: 60 hours total
32 CORE hours include a minimum of five credit hours in each of the following core areas: Insurance & Risk Management, Investments, Income Tax Planning, Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits, Estate Planning, and Communications & Counseling; and a minimum of 2 hours in Ethics of Financial Planning.
The 30 additional hours may be earned in either the seven elective areas, or the core areas.
The program is based on the honor system. You are ultimately responsible for deciding what subject categories your CE activities represent and what you consider to be appropriate and valuable for your continuing professional education within these guidelines.
Reporting Cycles
Each two-year cycle begins January 1 of an even year and ends December 31 of the following year (i.e. 01/01/08 –12/31/09).
Reporting Deadline — February 15th
You have 45 days after the end of the cycle to submit your NAPFA Continuing Education Summary Page on line. The due date for the 2008-2009 reporting cycle is 02/15/09.
Guidelines
Include all activities that provide appropriate and valuable education within one of the core or
elective subject areas. Some activities can be divided into several subject areas.
What You Read (articles, books, journals)
A rule of thumb is to take credit for 50% of the time actually spent reading. Articles typically qualify for one hour. Reading relevant books can qualify for one to three hours. Don’t forget to include reading related to earning a professional designation.
What You Write (articles & books)
Show your pride of authorship by taking credit for published technical material relating to any of the subject areas.
What You Hear (seminars, meetings, tapes)
Typically, one hour of time listening qualifies for one hour of CE. While most NAPFA Study Group meetings qualify for credit, sales presentations don’t. A college course can qualify for 15 hours credit per semester.
What You Present (teaching, giving a presentation)
Credit should be taken for the first presentation only at the rate of two credit hours for each hour of class or presentation time. Marketing and non-technical presentations aren’t eligible for CE credit.
Pro-rating for New Members
Requirements will apply on a pro rated basis for new members based on their start date as follows:
Cycle Year Start Date Pro rata
Year 1 Jan – June 100%
Year 1 July – Dec 75%
Year 2 Jan – June 50%
Year 2 July – Dec 25%
Breadth of Subject Areas
Topics are divided into seven CORE and six ELECTIVE subject areas.
Subject Codes for CORE Areas
- B Insurance & Risk Management
- C Investments
- D Income Tax Planning
- E Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits
- F Estate Planning
- J Counseling and Communications
- N Ethics of Financial Planning
Subject Codes for ELECTIVE Areas
- A Financial Planning Process
- H Accounting, Cash Flow Mgmt. & Budgeting
- I Economic and Political Environment
- K Marketing and Practice Management
- L Strategic Thinking
- M Technology
The Technical Details
To ensure a broad range of ongoing educational efforts, no more than 15 hours may be earned within any one core subject and no more than five hours may be earned in any one elective subject. If more than 60 hours are accumulated during any reporting period, up to 15 ELECTIVE hours may be carried forward to the next reporting period. CORE hours may not be carried forward.
At the end of every reporting cycle 3% of the members are randomly selected to undergo an audit. Those who are audited must submit documentation for each reported hour.
If necessary, you may request a 90-day extension by submitting an Extension Request Form prior to the February 15th deadline. This form can be found online in the Continuing Education area or through the Document Library.
Failure to Comply
Members who do not comply with the CE standards and who fail to submit the Extension Request Form will have their status changed to CE Deficient and consumer referrals will cease.
Members who apply for an extension and allow the 90-day extension period to expire without submitting a compliant CE report will also have their status changed to CE Deficient and are ineligible for consumer referrals.
Members who are CE Deficient because they have not submitted their CE Summary report by renewal time must relinquish all benefits and reference to membership in NAPFA. They may renew as Financial Services Affiliates. They are eligible to return to Member status any time within the next two years by submitting a compliant CE report and meeting all other membership requirements.
Easy to Use NAPFA Online CE Management Tools
You’ll find your individual tracking page in the My Account area of www.napfa.org.
Credits are posted to your account two ways
- NAPFA uploads your credits earned at NAPFA events once you submit a completed continuing education reporting form.
- You must enter information for credits you earn outside of NAPFA events.
To Enter Activities and Create Reports
Log onto the My Account area of the web site, click on Continuing Education, then navigate to one of the following:
Add CE Credits
CE Summary Page
Online Reporting System Includes
View report -- lists all of your CEUs, or
Add new -- allows you to enter activities
For new entries click Add New, fill in the form completely. You’ll be given the option to edit the entry if you find an error.
You also have three Report choices:
CEU Data Report includes CEs within a given date range.
NAPFA Report creates your NAPFA Continuing
Education Summary Page -- send this to NAPFA!
CFP Board Report includes only CFP approved CEs entered through NAPFA
For more information call, 800-366-2732 or email info@napfa.org | 
