1. Submit the Interest Form
Any individual, company or organization that wants to offer continuing professional education (CPE) credits for U.S. licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) should apply to join the Registry. The organization must have previous experience in developing, presenting, measuring and reporting some type of educational or training program. The program does not need to be offered for the CPA profession or awarded for CPE credit. After the complete interest form with "Additional Delivery Method" selected as the product of interest and indicate the delivery method you would like to add is submitted, a link to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors application will be sent to the main contact. After the complete interest form is submitted, a link to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors will be sent to the main contact. The email address is cpe@nasba.org. Some mail client security features may reject this address, so make sure email settings are set to accept messages from this address.
2. Get Acquainted with the Standards
Before proceeding with the online ADM application, the organization should read the 2026 Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs. These are the Standards by which the application will be measured for compliance.
3: Complete ADM Application
The Registry application is a detailed process, and potential sponsors should take the necessary steps in providing a complete application. The online application is an intuitive and interactive interface by which the organization can upload all materials that are relevant for the delivery method it is seeking for approval. The application contains help text to assist in completion of required elements. Examples may be found in the sample template section. The application and review fees can also be paid through this secure system. The online application form will allow applicants to save and return to complete it at a later date. The organization will be prompted to supply a login and password to access the incomplete form.
The organization may apply for multiple instructional delivery methods (group; QAS™ self study; nano learning; and blended learning) within the initial application. The organization will be requested to submit certain documentation and program materials for one program of each instructional delivery method for which it is applying. All of the requested documentation for the application should relate to the submitted program. For example, if the submitted course is titled, “Accounting ABCs,” then all submitted materials—program materials, promotional materials, certificate of completion, evaluation form, etc.—should be for the “Accounting ABCs” program.
Application Review Documentation
The required Administrative documents for the application include:
- Administrative policies: The Administrative Policies are required for submission with an application. The purpose of the Administrative Policies is to ensure that applicants and sponsors understand what is required of them regarding record retention, refunds, cancellations, complaint resolution, and course update policies.
- Program Content Development Policies: As part of the National Registry application process, applicants must submit Program Content Development Policies with an application. The purpose of the Program Content Development Policies is to ensure that the organization understands the requirements as they relate to program content and knowledge levels, delivery systems, and content development as it relates to course authors/developers, reviewers, and the inclusion of measurable learning objectives.
- Program List: A program list is required for submission with an application. For initial/ADM applications, the program list should identify Nano Learning programs the organization anticipates offering in the year following approval. If all program offerings have not yet been determined, submit the known course offerings. The Nano Learning delivery method has a flat application fee and has no limit to the number of programs/total CPE credits offered.
- Author & Reviewer Bios: The program author/developer is a vital part of the content delivery; the organization is required to provide biographies of the author/developer and reviewer. Qualifications listed in author/developer biographies must show evidence of expertise in the subject matter and instructional strategies. This documentation is also meant to ensure that individuals acting as the course reviewers have subject matter knowledge and are separate from the development team. A biography, resume, curriculum vitae, or comparable written documentation may be used if it contains enough detail to establish the individual’s relevant qualifications. Links to webpages or LinkedIn profiles should not be submitted as the sole evidence of qualifications because the documentation must be retained and available for review. Applicants should provide a stable document containing the relevant qualification information.
- Descriptive/Promotional Material: Applicants must submit representative descriptive/promotional materials. These materials should demonstrate how the organization will disclose the significant features of a program in advance, consistent with requirements of Section 8 of the 2026 Standards. These materials are meant to provide advanced notice to potential participants when determining if the program is suitable for their CPE requirements. This documentation also communicates, where applicable, that the organization is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Descriptive/Promotional Materials should be exemplary of the course submitted for the review.
- Course Evaluation: Applicants must submit a representative course evaluation. The evaluation should demonstrate how the organization will evaluate learning activity quality and participant feedback consistent with Section 4, Paragraphs 4.04- 4.04.2. The objectives of evaluation are to assess participant and instructor satisfaction with specific programs and to increase subsequent program effectiveness.
- Certificate of Completion: Applicants must submit a representative certificate of completion. The certification should demonstrate how the organization will provide participants with documentation of program completion consistent with Section 9 of the 2026 Standards. The certificate of completion is meant to provide program participants with documentation of their participation in a program/course. The certificate of completion should be exemplary of the course submitted for the review.
Blended Learning Additional Materials:
- Course Instructions: Course instructions are required for blended learning applications to demonstrate the clear instructions and information required by Section 6, Paragraph 6.01.3 and Section 9, Paragraph 9.02.3. The course instructions should summarize the different components of the program and what must be completed or achieved during each component to qualify for CPE credits.
- Program Measurement: Documentation must be submitted with a blended learning application to show how the total recommended CPE credit was determined. The purpose of this documentation is to demonstrate the requirements of Section 7, Paragraph 7.03. Regardless of the primary component (synchronous/group or asynchronous/self-study) of the blended learning course, applicants must determine the total recommended CPE credit by adding together both components of the course. When an application is submitted, there must be documentation showing: calculations for the synchronous portion of the program and asynchronous portion of the program, the calculation of the basis for classifying the primary component of the program as primarily synchronous or primarily asynchronous, and the calculation adding the recommended CPE credit for both components together, determining the recommended CPE credit for the entire course.
- Primarily Synchronous Programs:
- Participant Engagement: This documentation is needed for submission with a primarily synchronous blended learning program. Participant engagement documentation should be submitted with the application to demonstrate how the program includes participant engagement related to course content at least once during each full credit of CPE, as required by Section 5.01.1. Sponsors should provide evidence of what is specifically planned for the program, such as prompts, activities, discussion questions, polling questions, case scenarios, or other materials showing where participant engagement will occur.
- Completion Verification: An explanation of the planned completion verification requirement is needed for submission with a primarily synchronous blended learning application. The purpose of this documentation is to satisfy the requirements of Section 6, Paragraph 6.01 and 6.01.3. CPE program providers must maintain a process to monitor individual attendance during the synchronous portion of blended learning programs. For synchronous learning activities that are significant components of a blended learning program, completion verification must be incorporated as described in Section 6.01.1. Technology-delivered attendance prompts or verification mechanisms must occur at least three times per 50-minute credit hour and lack predictability to reasonably ensure learners are present and engaged throughout the program. For non-technology-based methods, the application should describe how attendance or participation is monitored, who is responsible for verification, what records are retained, and how the organization determines the amount of CPE credit awarded. Participant self-certification alone is not sufficient. The completion verification/monitoring mechanism does not have to be related to course content, but if it is, the items used for this component may also fulfill the requirement for participant engagement.
- Primarily Asynchronous Programs:
- Participant Engagement: This documentation is needed for submission with a primarily asynchronous blended learning program. Blended learning programs and learning activities must be designed to drive participant engagement. For blended learning programs in which the primary components are asynchronous learning activities, the organization may consider the participant engagement guidance for self study programs in Section 5, Paragraphs 5.01.2 through 5.01.2.2. Documentation submitted with the application should be sufficient to demonstrate how the program design drives participant engagement and, where applicable, how review questions, content reinforcement tools, feedback, or qualified assessments are used. This documentation must include all questions, all answer choice options, an answer key, and appropriate feedback for each item.
- Completion Verification: An explanation of the planned completion verification process is needed for submission with a primarily asynchronous blended learning application. The purpose of this documentation is to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Section 6, Paragraph 6.01.2 and Section 6 Paragraph 6.01.3. For asynchronous learning activities that are significant components of a blended learning program, completion verification must be incorporated as described in Section 6, Paragraph 6.01.2. This documentation must include all qualified assessment questions, all answer choice options, and the answer key.
- Learning Objective Alignment: Each qualified assessment question should be aligned with one of the course learning objectives. Supporting documentation must be provided which shows 75% or more of learning objectives are measured in the qualified assessment. (Ex: Question 1 measures Learning Objective 3)
Use of the Blended Learning Applicant Checklist available on the templates page of our website can assist the organization during program development.
Courses identified as Taxes, Accounting, or Auditing Fields of Study will be reviewed for content and technical accuracy by an outside, independent CPA. If there are areas of non-compliance, the Instructional Design Reviewer will send an email to the main contact on the account with an Instructional Design Report attached. Each element on the modification report must be addressed. The organization will have one week from the date of the email to submit a written response in relation to the Instructional Design Report. This is not the date by which course corrections are expected to be complete; rather, the written response should address each finding and describe how corrective action will be implemented. The response should also include a date by which course corrections are expected to be implemented. Courses with a recommended CPE credit value between 1-10 CPE credits should submit corrective action within 4 weeks; courses with a recommended CPE credit value of 11 CPE credits or more should submit corrective action within 6 weeks. Non-responsiveness to requests for modifications and/or the inability to complete the modifications in a reasonable time frame may lead to closing the application. Once the course is compliant with the Standards, the application will be accepted and the organization will be approved for sponsorship.
4. Main Contact Notified of Status
Once the organization has submitted the initial application, applicants will receive a confirmation email.
5. Application Review Process Begins
The National Registry team reviews the application to determine if the policies, procedures, and course are compliant with the Standards. The initial application process consists of a hands-on evaluation by the National Registry of CPE Sponsors administrative review team. The application will be assigned to an Instructional Design Reviewer. Initially (blended learning application number one), the assigned reviewer will complete the Preliminary Instructional Design Review. If the course does not pass these requirements, the application will be denied and the review will not proceed further. If the course does pass these requirements, the reviewer will then proceed with the Full Instructional Design Review, including the administrative documents (listed above in item 3).
6. Request for Modifications
If there are areas of non-compliance, the Instructional Design Reviewer will send an email to the main contact on the account with an Instructional Design Report attached. Each element on the modification report must be addressed. If there are any questions, please contact the Instructional Design Reviewer working on the application. The organization will have one week from the date of the email to submit a written response in relation to the Instructional Design Report. This is not the date by which course corrections are expected to be complete; rather, the written response should address each finding and describe how corrective action will be implemented. The response should also include a date by which course corrections are expected to be implemented. Courses with a recommended CPE credit value between 1-10 CPE credits should submit corrective action within 4 weeks; courses with a recommended CPE credit value of 11 CPE credits or more should submit corrective action within 6 weeks. Non-responsiveness to requests for modifications and/or the inability to complete the modifications in a reasonable time frame may lead to closing the application.
7. Instructional Design Review Complete
Once the course has passed the Preliminary and Full Instructional Design reviews, the application will be accepted and the organization will be approved for the ADM.
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