The National Registry team continues to receive a constant stream of emails and calls from continuing professional education (CPE) sponsors on how to handle CPE events that can no longer be offered in person due to the government-imposed social distancing requirements resulting from COVID-19. There has been a great need to continue these training events so that participants can attend remotely.

The National Registry of CPE Sponsors has a significant number of CPE sponsors that are approved for the Group Live instructional delivery method only. As such, the National Registry team is not in a position to allow Group Live sponsors to issue certificates of completion under the Group Internet Based delivery method without completing the additional delivery method (ADM) application and review process.

However, flexibility has been granted to these “Group Live only” sponsors to modify their in-person events to an online, virtual environment until December 31, 2020. For these events, CPE sponsors should note the delivery method on the certificate of completion as “Group Live presented online due to COVID-19.” The National Registry team also strongly recommends that CPE sponsors take reasonable and appropriate measures regarding attendance monitoring for these modified events.

Here are some of the more commonly asked questions:

1. Since we had to move our Group Live programs to a virtual format, what is your suggestion for attendance monitoring?

It is encouraged that CPE sponsors take reasonable and appropriate measures regarding attendance monitoring for these modified events. You will be the best person to determine what is reasonable and appropriate based on the number of participants and the duration of your event.

If the product you are using to host the event virtually has attendance tools as part of its platform, then generating a report from those tools could provide sufficient documentation, especially if the reports indicate participant start and end time.

Another simple suggestion is to take a screenshot of the participants view at various points in time during your event (including the beginning and end). Additionally, many products have a chat or raise your hand feature that could be used to check attendance throughout the event.

Be sure to maintain this attendance documentation to support the CPE credits issued on the certificates of completion to the participants of the event.

2. I am a “Group Live only” sponsor that is now offering my in-person CPE events online. When I issue a certificate of completion, what instructional delivery method do I put on the certificate: Group Live or Group Internet Based?

Since you are approved on the National Registry for the Group Live delivery method only, you would put “Group Live delivered online due to COVID-19” as the instructional delivery on the certificate of completion. Because you delivered the event online does not mean you are approved for the Group Internet Based delivery method on the National Registry. You must complete an ADM application and demonstrate your understanding of the requirements of the Group Internet Based delivery method as provided for in the Statement on Standards for CPE Programs (Standards).

It is also important to note that you should not include Group Internet Based as an approved delivery method when completing your renewal application to continue your membership on the National Registry until you have applied for and received approval for the Group Internet Based delivery method.

3. What happens if NASBA does not extend the flexibility after December 31, 2020, but our company still needs to deliver content virtually?

The flexibility for the “Group Live only” approved sponsors on the National Registry has been extended until December 31, 2020. If your company would like to continue providing CPE credits under your National Registry Sponsorship for online events, you will need to apply for approval for an additional delivery method – the Group Internet Based delivery method. More information can be found regarding the requirements for the Group Internet Based delivery method on our website. 

We have experienced a significant influx of applications for the Group Internet Based and QAS Self Study delivery methods. We are working diligently to review all applications; however, you may experience an increase in the amount of time required to review your application as we review applications to the National Registry in the order that the application is received and the application fee is remitted in full. Documents and program materials submitted with the application that adhere to the Standards, are typically processed more quickly, and we can complete the application review process.

Should you have any questions, please contact the National Registry team. The most effective way to reach us during these times is by email at cpe@nasba.org.