Updated Overview of Offerings that Provide NCBFAA "Certified Customs Specialist" Continuing Education Credits
Below is updated information regarding upcoming events for which Certified Customs Specialists can earn continuing education credits. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/29/07 news, 07062920 for earlier BP summary.)
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(The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) launched the Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) program in 2005 and as of February 2007, over 2,500 individuals have become CCS certified. In 2007, NCBFAA began requiring CCSs to obtain 20 continuing education credits per year in order to maintain the certification. These credits can be obtained by participating in CCS-certified seminars, conferences, Web-based seminars (webinars) and online quizzes. Approved courses are listed on NCBFAA's Web site at http://www.ncbfaa.org/nei/poe.htm. (Note that points cannot be rolled over from one year to the next, exceptions being the 2006 NCBFAA Annual Conference and 2006 NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference.))
Webinars Offered by NCBFAA and Others (Fee)
NCBFAA is offering "Third Thursday Webinars." These webinars will be offered on the third Thursday of numerous months throughout the year. NCBFAA sources add that each Third Thursday Webinar offered throughout the year is on a different topic. These webinars are worth 1-2 CCS points each, depending on length.
NCBFAA has also allowed other companies to provide webinars that count towards the CCS continuing education credits.
Online Case Studies Offered by NCBFAA, Worth 10 Points Each (Free)
There will also be free case studies, each worth 10 CCS points. (Information on these case studies is not currently provided on NCBFAA's Web site; however, sources state the information should be posted shortly.)
CBP's ACE Exchange Conferences Worth 7 Points Per Day (Free)
According to NCBFAA sources, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) free ACE Exchange conferences are worth up to 7 points per day for all day sessions. Sources add that since the conferences are not listed on the NCBFAA's CCS Portfolio of Events Web site, participants may submit a Form 222 (form for seeking approval for inclusion in the portfolio of events for CCS sent in by an individual (Form 111 is for companies or local associations)) or contact the local association to coordinate submission of forms, whereby all attendees are listed together.
Conferences, Seminars, Courses, Etc. throughout U.S. (Various Points, Fees)
NCBFAA has authorized various seminars, conferences, courses, etc. throughout the U.S. to count towards continuing education credits (e.g., NCBFAA's Annual Conference, which was recently held, was worth 15 points; WESCCON, to be held on October 11-14, 2007, is worth 12 points, etc.).
Correction: "Ethics Game" No Longer a NCBFAA CCS Eligible Course
In the June 29, 2007 issue of International Trade Today, 07062920, Broker Power stated that the "Ethics Game: Core Values" course was eligible for NCBFAA CCS credits; however, this is no longer the case.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/02/07 news, 07070299 2, for previous BP correction regarding the "Ethics Game.")
NCBFAA portfolio of events available at http://www.ncbfaa.org/nei/poe.htm
NCBFAA forms available at http://www.ncbfaa.org/nei/ccsceu.html