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CTP Frequently Asked Questions: Recertification
Report Recertification Credits Online with the AFP Online Recertification Resource Center
General Information
Deadlines
Reporting Cycle Information
Reporting Credits
Qualified Programs
Extension Request
General Information
Q: | I earned the CTP/CCM certification but did not complete the continuing education requirement of reporting recertification credits and my certification has been revoked. How do I reinstate my certification? |
| A: | If you have allowed your CTP or CCM to lapse, you may register for and pass the current CTP exam to reinstate your certification or apply for reinstatement.
To apply for reinstatement, you must request a Reinstatement Application Form from ctp@afponline.org. When submitting the form for review by the Certification Committee, you will be asked to prove that you have earned the required recertification credits and to pay reinstatement fees. Reinstatement is a one time option. If, after being reinstated, your certification is revoked a second time, you will be required to register for and pass the current CTP exam. |
Q: | How long is my certification valid for before I have to recertify? |
| A: | Certification is valid for three years. |
Q: | What do I need to do to maintain my CTP/CCM certification? |
| A: | CTPs and CCMs are required to earn and report 36 continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification. |
Q: | Am I required to maintain my AFP membership to maintain my CTP or CCM certification? |
| A: | No. While we recommend retaining your AFP membership, it is not required to maintain your certification. Please note, however, that the cost to recertify as a non-member is higher than that for an AFP member. |
Deadlines
Q: | Do I have to wait until the end of my recertification cycle to submit my credits? |
| A: | No. Credits can be reported at anytime after the required 36 credits have been earned. Please note that your credit reporting does not effect your recertification cycle dates. |
Q: | What is the deadline to submit my recertification information? |
| A: | The recertification reporting form and fee must be submitted no later than October 15 of the last year of your recertification cycle. |
Reporting Cycle Information
Q: | I took the exam in the November/December testing window. Since my first recertification cycle starts on July 1 of the examination year, can I apply credits earned for activities completed prior to taking the exam? |
| A: | Yes. Any activities completed as of July 1 of your examination year will retroactively qualify towards your first recertification cycle. |
Q: | When does my recertification cycle start and when does it end? |
| A: | All recertification cycles run from July 1 of your examination year to June 30 of the third year.
For example, if you sat in the June/July 2003 or November/December 2003 testing window, your first cycle will run July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2006.
Subsequent recertification cycles will follow the three year period established by your initial cycle. Please refer to your Certificate of Achievement for your current recertification cycle end date. |
Q: | I was a permanent CCM and I transitioned to the CTP. What is my first CTP recertification cycle? |
| A: | Initial CTP recertification cycles for all formerly-permanent CCMs begin July 1 of the year you transitioned. |
Reporting Credits
Q: | How do I calculate the number of credits I earn for an activity or program? |
| A: | Most programs, including conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, teleconferences, and cyberconferences qualify for one credit per 50 minutes of attendance at qualified educational sessions. Independent study programs also qualify for one credit per 50 minutes of instruction and are based on the average completion time determined by the sponsoring organization. Presenters, teachers and lecturers earn 2 credits per 50 minutes of instruction. To calculate credits for these programs, take the total program time, divide by 50 and round down. Determine credits earned for other activities. |
Q: | I have earned more than 36 credits during my current recertification cycle. Can I apply these additional credits to my next cycle? |
| A: | No. CTPs and CCMs can only report credits earned after the start of a recertification cycle. Therefore, any additional credits earned during your current cycle cannot be applied to your next cycle. However, it is a good practice to report all credits earned in a cycle in the Online Recertification Resource Center reporting tool. |
Q: | Is there a limit on how many credits I can earn in a year? |
Q: | How do I report recertification credits to AFP? |
Qualified Programs
Q: | Can I earn credit if I used the Learning System to prepare for the exam? |
| A: | No. Credits are not granted for exam preparation activities or programs. Only CTPs and CCMs who earned their certification on a previous version of the exam can apply the Learning System for credits. |
Q: | I recently attended a program that qualified for CPE credits. Will this program also qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits? |
| A: | Finance- and ethics-related programs which qualify for CPE credits will also qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits. Other CPE-approved topic areas, such as business management, are not approved for CTP/CCM credits. |
Q: | Are there different criteria for a program to qualify for the CTP as opposed to the CCM? |
| A: | No. The continuing education requirements for both the CTP and CCM are the same. |
Q: | Does a program have to be pre-approved by AFP to qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits? |
| A: | No. If a program meets the qualifications for CTP/CCM credits, it is not required that the program be pre-approved by AFP. However, if you are a provider or sponsor of finance-related continuing education activities and would like to promote approval of your program for CTP/CCM credits, you are required to submit a AFP Sponsor Program Registration application. |
Q: | What topics qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits? |
| A: | AFP accepts credits earned from finance- and ethics-related continuing education activities. All finance-related programs or activities qualify for CTP and CCM credits EXCEPT:
- Sessions specific to organizational products and/or sales
- Fundamental or introductory courses in finance or cash/treasury management
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Q: | Why do certain program types have limits on how many credits can be reported in a recertification cycle? |
| A: | AFP restricts credit reporting for those program types which typically provide a CTP or CCM with a limited scope of additional, industry-applicable knowledge. |
Q: | Where do I find a listing of the types of programs that qualify for CTP/CCM recertification credits? |
Extension Request
Q: | I will not meet the 36 credit requirement by the June 30 recertification cycle end date. What is the deadline to submit an extension request? |
| A: | An extension request, which must be submitted with recertification reporting form and fee, must be submitted no later than October 15 of the third year of your recertification cycle. |
Q: | I have previously requested an extension and have completed the required credits. How do I report this information to AFP? |
| A: | After completing the additional credits necessary, submit a CTP and CCM Recertification Reporting Form indicating the additional credits and remit the recertification fee. |
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