FAQs for co-sponsorees: Navigating changes in co-sponsorship

APA-approved CE sponsor

An individual/organization that has been approved by the APA Continuing Education Committee (CEC) to offer CE to psychologists for programs that meet the Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education for Psychologistsopens in new window.

Co-sponsorship

As per the Standards and Criteria, Standard B. Program Management, the mutual planning of an activity by two or more organizations. Regardless of the level of involvement of the sponsor, it is ultimately the responsibility of the approved sponsor to ensure that the standards and criteria are met. The Terms of Approval, as outlined within the Policies and Procedures (PDF, 251KB)opens in new window, remain the same for all approved sponsors; engaging in a co-sponsorship does not, in any way, absolve the sponsor of its responsibilities as an approved sponsor.

Co-sponsoree

An individual/organization that offers CE credit for programs in collaboration with an APA-approved CE sponsor, under the auspice of co-sponsorship.

I am thinking about becoming an APA-approved CE sponsor, rather than continuing to work with another approved sponsor to offer CE via co-sponsorship. How should I proceed?

You can apply through CESA and, if approved by the CEC, become an APA-approved sponsor. Explore the CESA Applications webpage for information about the next available application cycle and relevant deadlines for submission. We also recommend reviewing the application support materials on our Resources webpage, as well as the CE Sponsor Approval Fees webpage for information regarding costs. You can also contact CESA via email.

I have lost the ability to offer CE programs via co-sponsorship because the organization that I was collaborating with is no longer an approved CE sponsor. What are my options?

There are three options for your consideration:

Immediate

You may choose to collaborate with another approved sponsor to offer CE credit through co-sponsorship. Remember that the sponsor with whom you collaborate should have approval for the type/format of programming that you are intending to offer (e.g., the sponsor should have home study approval if you want to offer asynchronous programs). Search the APA Approved Sponsors of Continuing Education database to find organizations that might be the best fit for you. Please note that CESA is unable to provide recommendations regarding potential organizations with which to co-sponsor CE programs.

Remember that the program planning process should sufficiently involve individuals—including psychologists—associated with the sponsor organization to ensure that all aspects of the program adhere to the Standards and Criteriaopens in new window. Co-sponsorship is not to be construed as lending or transferring approval status.

Short-term

If your event is at least three months away, you can contact the APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP), which is separate from CESA. CEP reviews requests from organizations seeking one-time CE approval for live, in-person and virtual programs. If this is of interest, contact CEP for further clarification regarding this process.

Please note that CEP does not offer one-time course approvals for home study programs.

Long-term

You can apply through CESA to be reviewed by the CEC to become an APA-approved sponsor. If granted, approval would allow your organization to offer psychologists CE programs that meet the Standards and Criteriaopens in new window. If this is of interest, visit the CESA Applications webpage for information about the next available application cycle and relevant deadlines for submission. We also recommend reviewing the application support materials on our Resources webpage, as well as the CE Sponsor Approval Fees webpage for information regarding costs. You can also contact CESA via email. Please note that the CEC does not review applications outside of designated spring and fall cycles.

If the organization that I was collaborating with via co-sponsorship is no longer an APA-approved CE sponsor, will the psychologists who enrolled in and/or are in-process of completing those CE programs lose or not be able to claim their CE credits for those programs?

CE credits awarded prior to the organization’s loss of sponsorship should not be revoked, as attendees should not be penalized whenever practicably possible. For participants who are in-process of completing programs (such as home study and multi-day/multi-session activities), attendees should generally be required to complete these types of CE programs within one month of the sponsor’s loss of approval. Exceptions in extenuating circumstances may be addressed on a case-by-case basis, although any differing allowances should be extremely rare. Please contact CESA via email for further guidance regarding such circumstances.