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Continuing Education Credits

This page will provide a brief overview of continuing education (CE) credits but the information provided is not complete. We recommend you read the complete ASPPA CE guidelines.

Who Needs CE?

Credentialed members of ASPPA who hold a QKA®, QKC, QPA, CPC or APM must earn the required number of CE credits each cycle to maintain their credential(s).

If you hold the FSPA or MSPA credential, or are an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA), and are in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (JBEA) with regard to meeting all required CE requirements for your related credential, you are deemed to have satisfied all ASPPA CE requirements. It is your responsibility to provide the necessary verification of this satisfaction to ASPPA prior to the end of the CE cycle.

How Much CE Do I Need?

You can check how many CE credits you currently have and how many you need before the end of the cycle here.

The CE Cycle

Members holding an ASPPA credential must complete forty (40) hours of CE every two years. The cycle begins on the first calendar day of each odd numbered year and ends on the last calendar day of the subsequent event numbered year. For example, a member currently holding an ASPPA credential must earn 40 CE between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022.

Members who earn their ASPPA credential in an odd year will need 20 hours by the end of the cycle. For example, a member who earns an ASPPA designation between Jan. 1 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019, needs 20 CE hours by Dec. 31, 2020.

Members who earn their ASPPA  credential in an even year do not need to earn any hours by the end of the cycle. For example, a member who nears an ASPPA designation between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, does not need to earn any more CE hours for that cycle. However, they will need to earn 40 hours of CE in the next cycle, from Jan 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2022.

What CE Opportunities Does ASPPA Offer?

The ARA offers a wide variety of educational programs that allow you to stay current on industry issues while maintaining your credential, including:

What Other Opportunities Count as Credit?

Non–ASPPA-sponsored activities may be counted towards CE credit, provided they meet the necessary requirements. Nationally recognized professional societies, non-profit associations, colleges, universities, commercial vendors or government agencies may sponsor education activities that qualify for ASPPA CE credit.

Non–ASPPA-sponsored activities do not require pre-approval; however, the attendee and the sponsor of the activity must comply with the guidelines and requirements. In the event of an audit, the candidate will be required to submit further documentation to verify compliance.

Some additional ways to earn CE include:

To calculate CE:

  • 1 CE credit = 50 minutes of activity
  • At least 45 minutes (.90 CE credit) must be earned per activity in order to apply
  • ASPPA CE may be earned in partial credits above 45 minutes
  • No more than 25 CE credits may be earned per activity.

Refer to the CE guidelines for complete information on qualifying activities, documentation and reporting guidelines.

What Happens if I Don’t Meet the CE Guidelines?

If you are a credentialed member who holds one or more credentials and you do not earn sufficient CE credits during a two-year cycle, ASPPA will suspend your credential(s). You will need to complete the required CE before you are reinstated as a credentialed member. Once reinstated, CE credits will be pro-rated. For further information, please review the CE guidelines.

Are CE Credits Audited?

ASPPA’s CE requirements serve to increase the technical, professional and ethical skills of each individual member and thereby elevate the organization as a whole. In order to ensure that members are complying with ASPPA’s CE Guidelines, periodic audits of CE credit are conducted. Individuals chosen for audit are selected randomly from the overall membership. If you are selected to be audited and have self-reported CE credits, you will be asked to provide documentation verifying proper completion of CE requirements. To ensure your self-reported CE activities meet ASPPA’s requirements and that you have the documentation necessary, please refer to the complete ASPPA CE Guidelines.

Additional Forms

Multiple Attendee Roster Form

Sponsor Attendance Template

RPA Volunteer Work Form

ABC CE Procedures