CFPs
CFP designees are responsible for determining whether a program is appropriate and qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit. Only courses that meet their requirements should be reported to the CFP Board for credit (see Appendix A of the CFP Continuing Education booklet Subject Topics Accepted for CE Credit). The only programs that must be preapproved by the CFP Board are programs that meet requirements for the CFP Board's Code of Ethics. The International Foundation voluntarily will submit for approval its Annual Employee Benefits Conference and will distribute at that program a list of sessions preapproved for credit. For all other programs, the CFP must determine qualification of the course to the CFP accepted subject topics.
Enrolled Agents
The International Foundation has entered into an agreement with the Office of Director of Practice, Internal Revenue Service, to meet the requirements of 31 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 10.6(g) covering maintenance of attendance records, retention of program outlines, qualifications of instructors and length of class hours. This agreement does not constitute an endorsement by the Director of Practice as to the quality of the program or its contribution to the professional competence of the enrolled individual.
CLUs/ChFCs and CRCs/CRAs
It is not necessary that educational programs be preapproved for continuing education credit when the subject matter is acceptable. International Foundation's Continuing Education Certificate will document credit earned.
PHRs and SPHRs
It is not necessary that educational programs be preapproved for recertification credit when the subject matter is related to the human resource field. PHRs and SPHRs report credit hours on their recertification application. In the event the application is audited, proof of credit earned must be produced.
Teachers, Nurses, Real Estate Agents, etc.
International Foundation does not submit its programs for approval for credit for professionals whose licenses are not directly related to employee benefits. However, a continuing education verification of attendance could be submitted by the individual and credit requested for sessions for which the subject matter is applicable.
The Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® Program
The Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation can be earned by completing eight examinations - six required plus two electives. In addition, CEBS offers individuals the opportunity to earn specialty designations. The Group Benefits Associate (GBA), Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) and Compensation Management Specialist (CMS) require a three-course commitment. Each designation stands on its own, representing specialized knowledge in group benefits, retirement and compensation. However, when combined, the three designation programs form a comprehensive, integrated curriculum that leads to the only professional certification in total compensation - CEBS.
- GBA 1-Employee Benefits: Concepts and Health Care Benefits
- GBA 2-Employee Benefits: Design, Administration and Other Welfare Benefits
- GBA 3-Health Economics
- RPA 1-Retirement Plan Design
- RPA 2-Retirement Plan Management
- RPA 3-Asset Management
- CMS 1-Human Resources and Compensation Management
- CMS 2-Compensation Concepts and principles
- CMS 3-Executive Compensation and Compensation Issues
- PFP 1: Personal Financial Planning 1: Concepts and Principles
- PFP 2: Personal Financial Planning 2: Tax and Estate Planning
Documenting Continuing Education Credit
Credit hours and filing procedures vary by discipline and from state to state. If you plan to use a CEBS course for continuing professional education credit for your licensing/recertification requirements, please request information from the CEBS Department at the International Foundation or contact the continuing education administrator at (262) 786-6710, option 2 or continuinged@ifebp.org.
Certificate Series
This is a basic-level curriculum that covers each of the components of total compensation: pay, health benefits, retirement, learning and development, and work environment. Attend three designated courses in a track and earn a Certificate of Achievement from the International Foundation.
- Certificate in Benefits and Compensation Management
- Certificate in Retirement Plans
- Certificate in Health Care Plans
- Certificate in Compensation
- Certificate in Financial Planning Management
- Certificate in Workplace Learning and Environment
- Certificate in Global Benefits Management
(One five-day course)
Documenting Continuing Education Credit
Credit hours and filing procedures vary by discipline and from state to state. If you plan to use a Certificate Series course for continuing education credit for your licensing/recertification requirements, please call the continuing education administrator at (262) 786-6710, option 2; or e-mail continuinged@ifebp.org prior to registration to see if credit can be earned.
For more information about the Certificate Series courses, call (262) 373-7643.