CE and Postlicensing Extensions

Emergency rule 58G .0104, which has been effective since March 26, provides for automatic extensions of time for brokers to complete CE and Postlicensing education. Following are a few of the most frequently-asked questions regarding extensions.

Q: What is the CE extension deadline?
A: Answer: September 30, 2020. The Commission is granting an automatic 90-day extension. No CE courses may be offered during the June 11-June 30 CE blackout period, so the 90-day extension period will begin on July 1, 2020, and end on September 30, 2020.

Q: Can a broker take the 2019-20 Update course after June 10, 2020?
A: No. The 2019-20 GenUp and BICUP courses cannot be offered after June 10, 2020.

Q: What if brokers do not take the 2019-20 Update course by June 10. How will they make it up?
A: Any broker who does not complete all 8 hours of CE by June 10 will be automatically granted a 90-day extension. The broker will then take approved elective courses [between July 1-September 30, 2020] to make up missed hours, even if those hours included the Update course.

Q: What is the Postlicensing extension deadline?
A: September 30, 2020. PBs who have Postlicensing education deadlines between March 26-June 30, 2020, will be granted an automatic extension until September 30, 2020.

Q: Should brokers renew their licenses even if they don’t complete CE or Postlicensing education?
A: Yes. Renewal requirements have not changed. A video that answers FAQs regarding renewal and provides step-by-step renewal instructions is posted in the Commission’s Video Library.

Individuals who are taking Postlicensing Courses prior to Licensure

Commission rules currently allow individuals to enroll in Postlicensing courses after successfully completing Prelicensing but before obtaining their licenses. It appears that many individuals have been opting to do this while they have been waiting for PSI testing centers to reopen.

PSI will be working diligently to accommodate candidates. However, because PSI is observing strict social distancing protocols, the number of candidates that may test at each center is limited. As a result, open testing appointments may be many weeks from now.

PSI Testing Centers

PSI opened testing centers in North Carolina today. We notified all applicants who are currently waiting to test by email yesterday.

If an individual does not have a license number by the time of completion of a Postlicensing course, the school should issue a course completion certificate to the student but should not include the student in the school’s roster upload. Once the individual obtains a license, s/he may submit a Request for Postlicensing Equivalent Credit Request form and attach the course certificate as proof of completion.

The opportunity for a PB to apply and receive “equivalent” Postlicensing education program credit for a Postlicensing course s/he completed prior to licensure will no longer be available as of July 1.

However, in light of current events, the Commission will allow a limited exception for unlicensed individuals who successfully complete Postlicensing courses that begin before July 1, as follows: If an unlicensed individual successfully completes a Postlicensing course that began prior to July 1, 2020, then that individual will be permitted to apply for and be granted Equivalent Credit once s/he obtains a license. In order to receive credit, the PB must submit the request form and course certificate within 2 years after course completion, per Rule 58A .1902.

If you have questions about this limited exception, please contact the Commission at 919-875-3700.

Proposed Rules with an effective date of July 1, 2020

As noted during my email on April 17, the Commission approved the education rules package at their April Commission meeting. As soon as those rules receive final approval from the Rules Review Commission, they’ll be posted on the website. Keep an eye on the website for those rules – or subscribe to the rulemaking mailing list.

Once the rules have received final approval, we will schedule a Zoom meeting to review the rules and timelines with you in detail.

In the meantime, you may refer to the Proposed Rules with an Effective Date of July 1, 2020, that are posted on the Commission’s homepage. The only substantial difference in the rules that were approved vs. the rules that were proposed was that synchronous distance learning courses will not need ARELLO® approval. NCREC approval will still be required.