CE support: 15 ways to earn continuing education credits this year

Editor’s note: This article is from 2005. Visit CECorner.ca for the latest continuing education credits from Advisor’s Edge.

If you have a designation or belong to an industry association chances are you’re required to earn a number of continuing education credits. If you haven’t already met your CE requirements for this year there is no shortage of places for advisors to earn those last credits. To help you spend more time learning and less time looking, Advisor.ca has put together this handy list of 15 places where you can earn your credits between now and the end of the year.

Advocis What: Professional association that offers a number of different CE opportunities including industry designation and licensing courses. In addition Advocis’ Okanagan, Banff and Atlantic schools offer opportunities to combine continuing education with a getaway. Credits: Thirty CE credits for each industry designation course; up to 19.5 credits for the CE getaways. Cost: Varies depending on course/conference. Contact: Call 1-877-773-6765 or e-mail info@advocis.ca.

Canadian Institute Of Financial Planning What: Sixteen CE courses delivered via distance learning with an online quiz. Credits: Eight CE credits per course, with exception of 10-credit Investment Risk Evaluation and Current Trends in Financial Planning courses. Cost: $100 (with discounts for multiple-course purchases) Contact: Call 1-888-865-2437

C.E. Internet Hours Inc. What: Offers online continuing education courses for insurance professionals in the areas of life, accident and sickness, and some property and casualty. Credits: All classes are one hour in duration. Accredited by the insurance councils of Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia. Cost: There is an annual fee of $10.00 plus a per course fee of $22.50. Contact: E-mail info@needhours.ca.

CE Network Inc. What: Web site offering online continuing education courses. Credits: Between two and four, depending on the course. Cost: $60 for two-credit courses, $120 for four-credit courses (with discounts for multiple-course purchases). Contact: Call 1-888-444-1123 or e-mail info@cenetwork.com.

CSI What: More than 50 online or print-based courses and in-class seminars that suit your career interests and learning style. Credits: Up to 12 CE hours for online mini-courses; 30 CE hours for in-class seminars and full courses. Cost: $65 for each three-hour online mini-course or choose 15 CE hours for only $200. Starting at $350 for in-class seminars and $400 for full courses. Contact: E-mail customer_support@csi.ca or call 416.364.9130 or 1.866.866.2601 (toll-free in Canada).

GGOF Advisor CE What: Eight online IDA, Advocis, IQPF and CSF approved continuing education courses. Credits: Each course is equivalent to one CE credit hour. Cost: Free. Contact: E-mail support@advisorce.com.

IDA – CECAP (Continuing Education Course Assessment Process) What: Industry courses that have been assessed by Harrington Lane Inc. on behalf of the IDA for the appropriate number of IDA professional development or compliance continuing education credits. Credits: Listed beside each professional development and compliance course on the website Cost: Varies depending on course provider Contact: Call Donna Ihnatowycz at 416 943-1518 or e-mail info@cecap.ca.

ILS Learning Corporation What: Over 150 interactive, online courses for the general insurance and life insurance industry. Credits: Two or three CE hours. Cost: $75 for one course or an unlimited access one year subscription for $250 for life accident and sickness courses. Contact: Call 1-800-404-2211 or e-mail info@ilscorp.com.

Infotrends Canada What: Online, interactive, CE Credit courses for the Canadian financial services industry. Credits: 2 to 28 CE credit hours. Cost: $18 to $252 with annual unlimited access subscriptions available. Contact: Call 866-482-2201 or e-mail cesupport@infotrendscanada.com

The Institute Of Canadian Bankers What: More than 50 online, continuing education modules and 125 specialized professional courses (most of which are distance learning with online support). Credits: Five to 45 CE credit hours. Nine of ICB’s CE activities have recently been recognized by the Investment Dealers Association’s Professional Development. Cost: $55-$165 for modules and $200-$550 for courses. Contact: Call 1-800-361-7339 or e-mail icb.info@thomson.com.

The Insurance Advisor Training Centre What: Offers 35 self-study continuing education course either online or on paper. Credits:Three to 20 credits for self study courses. Pre-approved by IDA, CFP and Advocis. Cost: $25.95 to $199.95 plus GST for self study course. Contact: Call 416-332-8184 or e-mail registrar@thetrainingcentre.ca. (note: These courses may be accessed at www.insuranceschool.ca starting in late July 2005.)

The Knowledge Bureau What: Specializes in post-licensing professional development in the tax and financial services industry leading to the Distinguished Financial Advisor (DFA) designation in practice management. Focuses on tax, retirement, financial and investment services and features over 20 certificate courses all by self study. Credits: From Advocis: 15 to 30 CE credits per individual course in the program; also recognized by FPSC, provincial insurance regulators, ICB and IDA. Costs: Varies with program chosen. Contact: Call 1-866-953-4769 or e-mail reception@knowledgebureau.com.

The Learning Library What: Offers over 40 finance and insurance courses delivered online in full multimedia format (audio and video). Credits: Most courses are pre-approved for CE credits. Cost: $30-$75 for each course. Contact: Call (416) 703-8674 or e-mail info@learninglibrary.com.

Oliver’s Notes What: Supplier of study notes, exam prep, and CE to the financial services industry. IDA-accredited compliance and professional development CE courses are available as well as a broad range of CE courses for insurance professionals. CE is available both online and in print. Credits: Varies by course. Cost: Varies by course: online special available for $99 for 15 CE hours. Contact: Call 1-800-238-0377 or 416-922-9604 x 301 or email info@oliversnotes.com.

Pro-Seminars What: Specializes in two-day seminars and self-study courses (24 online or correspondence courses) for insurance and financial services professionals. Credits: Up to 15 CE credits for two-day seminars; online courses vary. Cost: $10 per credit online to $249 for 2005 CE Vacation Getaway to Las Vegas (seminar only) Contact: 1-866-833-8606 or e-mail info@pro-seminars.com

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.

Staff

Wedding bells — or alarm bells?

Trusted contact restores communication after clients defrauded

Help your client address the volatility of equity compensation