NATIONAL REGISTRY OF CPE SPONSORS

NASBA Logo

Group Live

Group Live programs are synchronous learning activities delivered in a group environment with real time interaction of an instructor or subject matter expert that provides the required elements of attendance monitoring and engagement.  Whether a program is classified as group live or group internet based is determined by how the participant consumes the learning (in a group setting or on an individual basis) and not by the technology used in program delivery. 

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • classroom setting with a real time instructor
  • participants in a group setting calling in to a teleconference
  • participants in a group setting watching a rebroadcast of a program with a real time subject matter expert facilitator

 
The Group Live delivery method review looks specifically at the program materials provided for the submitted course.  Learning objectives must be measurable and appropriate for the topic.  The content must be well matched to the selected field of study, provide one element of engagement for each recommended CPE credit, and have an attendance monitoring process in place. 

Additionally, this review will ensure that the content enhances the professional knowledge of the CPA. If the application passes through all of the requirements of the review process the applicant will receive notification that the organization is approved to provide NASBA approved CPE credits for the Group Live delivery method.

Initial Application Fee

Initial application fees below for the Group Live delivery method are based on the number of different programs offered by CPE program sponsors.

  • 1 – 15 different programs - $1,175
  • 16 – 25 different programs - $1,300
  • 26 – 50 different programs - $2,150
  • 51 – 100 different programs - $3,250
  • 101 – 250 different programs - $4,000
  • 251 – 500 different programs - $4,600
  • 501 – 1000 different programs - $5,250
  • 1000 + different programs - $6,250

Initial application fees are non-refundable.

Renewal Application Fee

Once approved for the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, organizations must renew their membership annually by the first of the month of their initial approval date. The renewal fees are determined by the total number of different programs offered by the organization for the following approved instructional delivery methods: Group Live, Group Internet Based, QAS Self Study and Blended Learning.

Renewal Fees

  • 1 – 15 different programs - $875
  • 16 – 25 different programs - $1,085
  • 26 – 50 different programs - $1,750
  • 51 – 100 different programs - $2,795
  • 101 – 250 different programs - $3,450
  • 251 – 500 different programs - $4,175
  • 501 – 1000 different programs - $4,750
  • 1000 + different programs - $5,750

Nano Learning Supplemental Fee

A $550 flat fee will be added to the Renewal Fee listed above for Registry sponsors approved for multiple instructional delivery methods including Nano Learning, regardless of the number of Nano Learning programs offered.  

Application Review Process

1.  Submit the Interest Form

Only organizations or individuals who have offered at least one educational course in the past can be considered for membership. The program does not have to have been offered for the CPA profession or awarded for CPE credit.  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 no-reply@salesforce.com.  Some mail client security features may reject this address, so make sure you are able to accept messages from this address.

2.   Familiarize Yourself with the Standards and Best Practices

Before proceeding with the online initial application, we ask that you make yourself familiar with the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs (revised January 2024). These are the Standards by which your application will be measured for compliance.

The Best Practices site has been developed to assist in the development, presentation, measurement, and reporting of CPE programs. Please visit the Best Practices site here.

3. Complete Initial Application

The Registry application is a detailed process, and potential sponsors should take the necessary steps in providing a complete application.The National Registry provides help and support to provide guidance, including video whiteboards, best practices, and workshops (i.e. the Registry Summit). The online application is an intuitive and interactive interface by which you can upload all materials that are relevant for the delivery method you are seeking for approval. The application and review fees can also be paid through this secure system. The online application form will allow you to save and return to complete it at a later date. You will be prompted to supply a login and password to access the incomplete form.  

You may apply for multiple instructional delivery methods (group live; group internet based; QAS self study; nano learning; and blended learning) with one application. You will be requested to submit certain documentation and program materials for one program of each instructional delivery method for which you are 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.

Group Live Program Additional Materials:

  • A written statement on attendance monitoring of participants.
  • Evidence of element of engagement with outline or agenda.

4.   Main Contact Notified of Status

Once you have submitted your initial application, you will receive a confirmation email.

5.  Application Review Process Begins

The application will be complete upon submission along with the required fees. The National Registry team reviews your application to determine if the policies, procedures, and courses 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. Your application will be assigned to a National Registry Account Administrator.  Your assigned Account Administrator will evaluate the administrative materials to measure against the applicable Standards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. 

Application Review Process

The required documents for the application include:

If all program offerings have not yet been determined, submit the known course offerings and remit fees based on that program offering level. If, during the year, your organization will exceed the number of program offerings included in the initial application, please contact your National Registry account administrator.

6.  Content Review

Approval StampOne program for each instructional delivery method for which you are applying is reviewed for content and technical accuracy. 

The classroom or conference instructor/presenter is a vital part of the content delivery; thus the extent of content review for Group Live is limited. The course agenda, slides, and instructor notes (as available) will be reviewed for content appropriate for CPE credit, as well as the element of engagement as stated in the Standards. You are required to provide biographies of the instructor/developer and reviewer. Qualifications listed in these biographies must show evidence of expertise in the subject matter.

7.  Request for Modifications

If there are areas of non-compliance, your National Registry account administrator will send you an email requesting modifications. Each element included on the modification report must be addressed. If you have any questions, please contact your account administrator. You will have two weeks from the date of the email to submit the modified documentation and materials. You have two opportunities to make required modifications. After two opportunities to make modifications, if ANY non-compliance remains, the application will be closed.

8.  Application Approved

Once your initial application is approved, you will be provided with a National Registry of CPE Sponsors ID number and approval letter. 

Best Practices