The Advocis professional development requirements for all members (excluding student and retired members), are required to engage in professional development according to the guidelines below. 30 hours of professional development are required.

Professional development includes both structured and informal learning activities:

Continuing Education (CE)

A minimum of 15 hours of structured learning activity in the form of CE programs. Examples that qualify include:

1. CE programs accredited by The Institute’s Accreditation Service, which confirms content as meeting the Practice Guidelines for Financial Advisors & Planners. One CE credit equals one hour of structured learning activity; and
2. Successful completion of certain licensing and designation program courses that have been approved by the individual member’s respective designation or governing body. Qualifying examples include LLQP, Mutual Funds Course, CFP, CLU and the CHS.

Informal Learning Activities

A maximum of 15 hours of informal activity determined by the member as contributing to his or her ongoing professional development such as:

1. Teaching/presenting
2. Research/writing articles
3. Self-study
4. Participation on industry task forces/committees

Professional Financial Advisor (PFA™)

Holders of the PFA designation must meet annual CE requirements established by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education™.

PFA designation holders are required to obtain a minimum of 20 continuing education (CE) credits each calendar year, one credit of which must be from a recognized Ethics program. Each hour of CE must be approved by The Institute in order to qualify as a CE credit. Any deficiency in one year must be made up by the end of the next calendar year, in addition to the full year’s CE credits requirement.

Within these 20 credits, a minimum of 10 CE credits must be accredited by The Institute; a maximum of 10 CE credits can be approved by The Institute.

Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS™)

Holders of the CHS designation must meet annual CE requirements established by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education™.

CHS designation holders are required to obtain a minimum of 10 continuing education (CE) credits each calendar year, one of which must be from a recognized Ethics program. Each hour of CE must be approved by The Institute in order to qualify as a CE credit. Any deficiency in one year must be made up by the end of the next calendar year, in addition to the full year’s CE credits requirement.

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)

Holders of the CLU designation must meet annual CE requirements established by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education™.

CLU designation holders are required to obtain a minimum of 30 continuing education (CE) credits each calendar year, two credits of which must be from a recognized Ethics program. Any deficiency in one year must be made up by the end of the next calendar year, in addition to the full year’s CE credits requirement. A minimum of 15 CE credits must be accredited by The Institute; A maximum of 15 CE credits can be professional development. General Professional Development CE credits must be industry-related (courses, seminars, etc.), and may be subject to The Institute’s review.

Chartered Financial Consultant (CH.F.C.)

Holders of the CH.F.C. designation must meet annual CE requirements established by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education™.

CH.F.C. designation holders are required to obtain a minimum of 10 continuing education (CE) credits each calendar year. Each hour of CE must be approved by The Institute in order to qualify as a CE credit. Any deficiency in one year must be made up by the end of the next calendar year, in addition to the full year’s CE credits requirement.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

Holders of the CFP® designation must meet annual CE requirements established by FP Canada.

For more information, please visit FP Canada.

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Accreditation

Through The Institute, the CE Accreditation Service provides an impartial third-party review and accreditation process for CE programs developed for financial advisors and planners. All applications for CE credit are evaluated against The Institute’s Practice Guidelines for Financial Advisors and Planners.

The Process

After reviews are complete, decision reports detailing the specific competencies that have been confirmed are issued to education providers. In an audit situation, The Institute’s decision reports offer near-universal acceptance toward meeting CE requirements of regulators and designation-granting bodies. Any questions about the applicability of specific programs should be directed to the respective regulator and/or designation-granting body.

Institute accreditation of a program is valid for two years following the accreditation date.

Click here for more information about the CE Accreditation service.

Licensing CE Requirements

For more information on the licensing continuing education requirements click on the links below:

• Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada
• Insurance Council of Manitoba
• Alberta Insurance Council
• Insurance Council of British Columbia
• Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan
• La Chambre de la sécurité financière
• Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario