I. Measurement Period: Two (2) years. The time in which CTPs and CTAs must complete their CPE educational credits shall be in two (2) year increments. The two-year period for new CTPs and CTAs shall be applicable beginning on January 1 of the year following the year of certification.
II. Hours Required: CTPs shall be required to attain thirty (30) hours of educational credits, including two (2) hours of credits for ethics topics within the two (2) year period. CTAs shall be required to attain twenty (20) hours of educational credits, including two (2) hours of credits for ethics topics within the two (2) year period.
A. CPE credits are rounded down to the nearest full or half-credit.
B. Programs of less than 30 minutes in length will not be considered for CPE credit.
C. Those programs approved for Ethics credit by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) or an individual state accounting board will automatically qualify towards the CTP/CTA ethics credit requirement. Any course that is approved for ethics for attorneys (Continuing Legal Education) will qualify towards the CTP/CTA Ethics credit requirement.
III. New CTPs and CTAs: No CPE educational credits will be required of CTPs or CTAs in their certification year. Any credits earned during the certification year (i.e., conference attendance, company-sponsored programs, etc.) may be carried over, up to ten (10) hours maximum, to the two (2) year period beginning the year following the certification year. (See carryover provisions set forth below).
IV. Reporting: The last date CPE reports may be filed for the reporting period will be January 31 of the following year. For example, for the reporting period from January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014, all CPE reports must be submitted by January 31, 2015.
V. Carryover: Excess educational credits earned in a two (2) year period, up to a maximum of ten (10) credits, may be carried over to apply to the requirements of the next two (2) year period.
Ethics credit earned in excess of 2 hours will be carried over to the next reporting cycle only when all of the general CPE requirements have been met.
VI. Suspension/Revocation: If a CTP or CTA fails to file a CPE report for any two (2) year period, or if a filed report indicates that not enough credits have been earned, CTPs and CTAs will be notified that their certification has been suspended. A suspension means that the individual will not in any manner be permitted to represent him/herself as a CTP or CTA. The suspended CTP/CTA will then be granted a grace period of six months to obtain the required credits and file a CPE report on or before July 31st indicating compliance, together with a reinstatement fee of $250.00 and the standard annual fee requirement. Upon receipt and review of the CPE report, together with receipt of the requisite fees, the individual’s status as a CTP or CTA shall be reinstated.The failure to correct CPE delinquency within the six (6) month grace period will result in the revocation of the CTP or CTA certification subject to reinstatement only as set forth in the following section.
If there is “reasonable cause” for the inability of a CTP or CTA to obtain the required CPE credits, the CTP/CTA may provide a written explanation for consideration as to whether the $250.00 reinstatement fee should be waived. "Reasonable Cause" may include circumstances such as serious and prolonged illness, active military service, family medical leave, maternity leave, etc.
VII. Reinstatement following Revocation for failure to participate in or report CPEs: Those CTPs and CTAs whose certifications have been revoked may apply for reinstatement without re-applying as a new CTP/CTA only by applying within five (5) years from the date of revocation. Reinstatement applications shall be accompanied by a statement describing the applicant’s experience subsequent to the time the certificate was revoked, together with completed client confirmation forms attesting to the engagement(s). Three additional professional references are required. These references may not be duplicates of those submitted for initial certification. A reinstatement fee of $250.00 and the standard annual fee must accompany the reinstatement application.
During the year when reinstatement is requested, the applicant must have completed all unfulfilled hours of continuing professional education required for the reporting period that led to suspension and revocation. These credits cannot be applied to the period following reinstatement.
If more than five (5) years following revocation of a CTP or CTA certificate have lapsed, former CTPs and CTAs must re-apply as new candidates and are subject to the same requirements for attaining initial CTP or CTA certification. This includes completing new application materials and passing all three examinations. The two-year reporting period shall begin January 1st of the year following the year of reinstatement.
When reporting CPE credits, please refer to the following documents for guidance:
A. Exhibit A: CPE Reporting Guidelines—outlining the types of programs that qualify for CPE and reporting and documentation rules.
B. Form 1: Itemized CPE Reporting Form—to be submitted as activities are completed
C. Form 2: Sponsoring Organization Certificate of Attendance Verification Form—to be obtained for events for which the sponsor/vendor does not provide a certificate of attendance. It is not required for national TMA-sponsored events. but is required for TMA Chapter events.
D. Form 3: CPE Reporting Book Review Form