EXHIBIT B
TMA Certification Program
Continuing Professional Education Requirements Policies
I. Measurement Period: One (1) year. The time in which CTPs and CTAs must complete their CEU educational credits shall be in one (1) year increments. The yearly 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 fifteen (15) hours of educational credits, including one (1) hour of credits for ethics topics within the one (1) year period. CTAs shall be required to attain ten (10) hours of educational credits, including one (1) hour of credits for ethics topics within the one (1) year period.
A. CEU 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 CEU 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 CEU 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.) cannot be carried over.
IV. Reporting: The last date CEU 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, 2024 – December 31, 2024, all CEU reports must be submitted by January 31, 2025.
V. Suspension/Revocation: If a CTP or CTA fails to file a CEU report for any 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 CEU 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 CEU report, together with receipt of the requisite fees, the individual’s status as a CTP or CTA shall be reinstated.The failure to correct CEU 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 CEU 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.
VI. 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 CEU credits, please refer to the following documents for guidance:
A. Exhibit A: CEU Reporting Guidelines—outlining the types of programs that qualify for CPE and reporting and documentation rules.
B. Form 1: 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. (View Form Here)
D. Form 3: CEU Reporting Book Review Form