How to offer CE in the midst of COVID-19

With the recent developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that many sponsors have chosen not to offer in-person programs. As such, we are writing to offer you guidance and provide clarification in regard to your CE Sponsor Approval through the American Psychological Association.

Live: Distance Learning

As a first point of clarification, all organizations currently approved to offer live programs for continuing education (CE) credit through APA CE Sponsor Approval may offer live, remote programs (e.g., virtual meeting/webinar), so long as there is an opportunity for interaction with an instructor in real time. Accordingly, live interactive programs are not considered "homestudy."

If you would like to offer homestudy programs but your organization is not currently approved to offer homestudy programs, please see the below "Co-sponsorship for Homestudy Programs" section. Should your organization wish to apply to APA for homestudy approval, you can do this outside of your regular renewal cycle if you have at least one year remaining on your approval status. Applications can be submitted during Spring and Fall cycles—the next available cycle is for Spring 2022, and the application deadline is February 19, 2022.

Note. Please find our estimated turnaround time for CESA application cycles resource to determine the estimated turnaround time for application decisions.

Asynchronous: Homestudy Approval

Only organizations currently approved to offer homestudy programs for CE credit through APA CE Sponsor Approval may offer programs in which there is no opportunity for interaction with the instructor in real time.

Co-sponsorship for Homestudy Programs

If you would like to offer homestudy programs in the immediate/near future, but do not have homestudy approval, one option is to seek co-sponsorship with an approved CE sponsor who has received homestudy approval. There are unique and necessary components that must be met to ensure delivery of quality continuing education for homestudy programs (e.g., post-tests and appropriate systems to verify attendance), and you can find sponsors who have met these requirements in the list of currently approved sponsorsopens in new window. For more information on homestudy requirements, please see Standard E: Program Evaluation (Educational and Technical Assistance) (PDF, 131KB)opens in new window and Standard F: Standards for Awarding Credit (PDF, 131KB)opens in new window.

As a note of clarification, please be aware that co-sponsorship is the act of mutually planning an activity, and is not to be construed as lending or transferring approval status. Our office does not permit sponsors to provide approval status to others by, for example, reviewing a program or organization and then stating that it is, in turn, approved by APA. More information about this can be found in Standard B: Program Management (PDF, 131KB)opens in new window of the Standards and Criteria.

As a final important note, please be advised that we strongly encourage all sponsors to submit any upcoming payments through the Online Application System (CESA OAS)opens in new window. Remember, it is good practice to login to the OAS consistently to check the status of your organization.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact our office via emailopens in new window. We appreciate your patience as there may be some delay in our response to your communication.