CPE Policy

CPE Rules for Live Webinars

As a CPE provider, NASBA requires us to follow strict rules when granting CPE to webinar participants.

CPE is NOT automatic; you must comply with two major requirements which are your responsibility as a participant.

Requirement 1:

Stay on the webinar for at least 50 minutes per CPE hour, not including breaks. We go by the BrightTALK Attendance log.

Tips:

• Make sure your hardware meets minimum BrightTALK specs and make sure your BrightTALK software is working and up-to-date.
• Join the webinar on a PC or Mac or use the BrightTALK app if you join via phone or tablet.
• Make sure you are listening under your name and not someone else’s.
• Keep your BrightTALK browser window open for the duration of the webinar.
• Type in the question box a hello at the beginning of the webinar. Participate in the webinar by typing in the question box when we ask for comments.

Requirement 2:

Comply with the participation checks. We will use one of two methods for this:

1. Polling questions
• Answer at least 3 polling questions per CPE hour. These will appear on the presentation window of the BrightTALK software during the webinar.
2. Check words
• Record at least 3 check words and enter them after the webinar is over. These will appear on slides during the webinar.

Tips:

• Don’t multitask during the webinar.
• A 5-minute break per hour is scheduled for webinars lasting longer than an hour. Don’t take breaks outside of the scheduled breaks.
• Make sure you can see the presentation at all times. Sometimes the window can hide under other windows on your device.

CPE Rules for Self-Study Courses

As a NASBA-approved CPE provider, we must follow strict requirements when granting credit for self-study programs. CPE credit is not automatic—participants must meet all criteria outlined below.

Requirement 1: Complete the Course
Self-study CPE is accepted in most jurisdictions, including New York, and credits may be earned through approved providers. To qualify:

• Choose a NASBA-registered or state-approved self-study provider.
• Complete all assigned course materials independently.
• Pass the final exam or assessment associated with the course to demonstrate comprehension.

Requirement 2: Track and Claim Credit Properly

• Claim credit only for the actual time spent on the material, measured in 50-minute CPE hours.
• Retain proof of completion, such as a certificate, in case of audit.
• Note that self-study is typically classified separately from live instruction for reporting purposes.

Additional Guidelines

• State-specific rules: Requirements vary; always verify with your state board of accountancy.
• Ethics requirement: Some states, such as New York, require four hours of state-specific ethics every three years.
• No carry-over: Certain states, including New York, do not allow CPE credit carry-over between reporting periods.

By completing and passing your self-study course through an approved provider, you will meet the necessary standards for earning NASBA-recognized CPE credit.

Record Retention Policy

Executive IT Forums will hold in its database the following information for a period of five (5) years:

• Name of Applicant
• Certificate of Attendance
• Address (if applicable)
• E-mail Address
• Daytime Phone Number (if applicable)
• Course Title the CPE credit was applied for

Refund Policy

CPE credits, which have not been earned, are refundable within 12 months of purchase. Refunds will be pro-rated on the purchase price per credit hour that was originally acquired. There will be a $20 cancellation fee assessed to every request for refund.

Program Cancellation Policy
Executive IT Forums may at its discretion cancel or replace a previously announced program with a program of similar content. Executive IT Forums will make every effort to provide sufficient notification of a change of title or cancellation. Executive IT Forums will provide a refund for the purchase of CPE credit only in those cases where a cancellation has occurred and no substitute program is provided.
If you are unable to attend a webcast, you may cancel up to seven days before the event and receive a full refund (if applicable). Cancellations made less than seven days prior will be refunded the course fee, less a $25 administrative fee. No shows (or cancellations made after the start of the program) will forfeit the entire registration fee. When cancelling an individual webcast purchased with discounted package pricing, your original savings will be forfeited.

Complaint Resolution Policy
Executive IT Forums will resolve complaints or answer questions regarding Executive IT Forums programs or CPE Certification questions in a professional and timely manner. If you have a complaint, please send it to complaints@executiveitforums.com. and we will respond within 3 days of receipt. Every attempt possible will be made to work with the submitter to come to a reasonable solution to the issue(s) at hand.

Course Update Policy
Program content will be up-to-date and will adhere to all IRS, NASBA, and CTEC requirements for CPE credits. Prior to publication, all Executive IT Forums Online Courses will be reviewed by qualified persons other than the course developer, in order to assure the online courses are accurate, timely, and consistent with currently accepted standards relating to the pertinent subject matter(s). All courses will be reviewed and revised, as appropriate, on an annual basis. During each review, staff will check technical accuracy, timeliness, and sufficiency to achieve the stated learning objectives. In addition, course evaluations will be reviewed each quarter to assess program effectiveness, and all appropriate changes will be made that are necessary to enhance online education program effectiveness.

Registrations for each webcast will be taken up to the start of each program. Executive IT Forums reserves the right to substitute speakers in the case of instructor illness. In the event that Executive IT Forums must cancel a webcast, all attendee registration fees will be refunded in full. For all webcasts that are recorded, participants will have access to the recording for three months following the live webcast.

Should Internet links and references not work, please email Executive IT Forums immediately at: courses@executiveitforums.com