Approved IAR CE Courses

This course addresses the rapid rise of cryptocurrency investment fraud — one of the fastest-growing categories of consumer financial crime — and equips investment adviser representatives (IARs) with the knowledge to identify common scam typologies, understand the psychological tactics used against investors, and fulfill their professional and regulatory obligations when fraud is suspected or confirmed.

Developed in alignment with the 2024 FINRA/ABA Foundation Cryptocurrency Fraud Infographic and supporting guidance from the FBI, FTC, and NASAA, this course examines how pig butchering and related crypto scams operate, how to recognize warning signs, and how to communicate effectively with clients who may be at risk or already victimized.

This course explores the growing risks of cybercrime and identity theft, equipping professionals with the knowledge to recognize threats and implement safeguards. Youll learn about common attack methods, vulnerable technologies, and best practices for protecting sensitive data in both personal and business contexts. The course also covers key laws, regulations, and insurance considerations to help you guide clients in mitigating risks. By the end, youll be prepared to identify vulnerabilities, respond to incidents, and strengthen cyber resilience.

This course provides a comprehensive, compliance-focused examination of the digital assets and crypto regulatory landscape, one of the fastest-evolving areas of focus for FINRA, the SEC, state securities regulators, and an increasingly urgent topic for CFP® professionals advising clients who hold, are considering, or have been harmed by crypto assets. As highlighted in FINRA's 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report, member firms' nexus to crypto continues to generate significant examination findings across communications, supervision, AML, and customer disclosure obligations.

Developed in alignment with FINRA's 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report, applicable FINRA rules (including Rules 2010, 2210, 3110, 3270, 3280, 3310, and 11870), the evolving federal and state regulatory framework for digital assets, and the CFP Board's Principal Knowledge Topics for Investment Planning and Professional Conduct & Regulation, this course equips registered representatives, investment adviser representatives, compliance professionals, supervisory personnel, and CFP® professionals with the knowledge to:

Understand the current regulatory classification of crypto assets

Navigate jurisdictional splits between the SEC, CFTC, and FINRA

Interpret recent legislative and regulatory developments including the GENIUS Act

Evaluate digital assets in the context of a client's financial plan

Identify FINRA examination findings and apply effective practices

This course introduces the world of digital assets and the regulatory framework shaping their use in the securities industry. Students will learn what qualifies as a digital asset, how the SEC and FINRA oversee digital asset activities, and why traditional rules still apply to these evolving technologies. The course also highlights the rise of crypto-related scams and the protective measures regulators are taking to safeguard investors. Finally, learners will explore how digital assets are stored, along with best practices for keeping them secure.

Education funding is one of the most consequential long-term financial planning decisions families face, yet it is also one of the areas where clients are most likely to be underserved by generic, product-first guidance. This course provides investment adviser representatives (IARs), CFP professionals, and other financial planning practitioners with a comprehensive, client-centered framework for evaluating, recommending, and monitoring education savings vehicles — including 529 college savings plans, 529 ABLE accounts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA), Roth IRAs used for education funding, U.S. savings bonds, and employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs.

The course addresses the full planning lifecycle: goal-setting and funding projections, account ownership and beneficiary considerations, federal and state tax treatment, financial aid implications (including FAFSA methodology), investment option selection, account aggregation across multiple vehicles, and the regulatory and fiduciary obligations applicable to IARs and CFP professionals advising clients on education planning. The course also addresses recent and pending legislative changes affecting education savings, including SECURE 2.0 Act provisions that expanded the utility of 529 plans.

Developed in alignment with the NASAA IAR Model Rule competency framework (Products & Practice) and the CFP Board's Principal Knowledge Topics (Education Planning), this course equips practitioners to navigate the tradeoffs across vehicle types, conduct needs-based analyses, communicate recommendations clearly to clients, and document their advice in a manner consistent with their fiduciary obligations.

This course explores the role of ethics in the securities industry, where the line between what's allowed and what's right isn't always clear. Students will learn how to recognize pressures that can cloud judgment, apply structured frameworks, and navigate real-world scenarios where client interests must come first. The course also examines dishonest practices to avoid, the importance of suitability and disclosure, and the fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and best interest. By the end, learners will be prepared to make confident, ethical choices that protect clients, careers, and the integrity of the financial markets.

This course provides a rigorous, practice-focused examination of the fiduciary duty as it applies to investment adviser representatives (IARs) under federal and state investment adviser law. The fiduciary standard is the bedrock obligation governing IARs' relationships with their clients — requiring that IARs act in clients' best interests at all times, manage and disclose conflicts of interest, and provide advice that meets both the duty of loyalty and the duty of care.

Developed in alignment with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, SEC interpretive guidance (including the Commission Interpretation Regarding Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers, June 2019), NASAA's IAR Model Rule competency framework, and CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, this course equips participants with the knowledge, frameworks, and practical tools to fulfill their fiduciary obligations across a wide range of client advisory scenarios.

The course is designed to satisfy the Ethics competency category for IAR CE credit under the NASAA CE Collaborative framework, and the General CE requirement for CFP® certificants under CFP Board's continuing education standards.

This course examines the growing issue of financial exploitation, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults. Learners will explore common tactics used by perpetrators, warning signs that exploitation is occurring, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of financial professionals in addressing these risks. By the end of the course, the learner will be able to recognize exploitation, take appropriate preventive measures, and support clients in safeguarding their financial well-being.

This course provides investment professionals with a comprehensive overview of fixed and variable annuities, highlighting their unique features, benefits, and risks. Learners will explore key contract provisions such as interest crediting methods, surrender charges, payout options, and riders, as well as the regulatory framework governing these products. By comparing the safety and predictability of fixed annuities with the market-driven potential of variable annuities, participants will gain the knowledge to evaluate suitability and guide clients toward informed retirement planning decisions.

This course addresses how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies are reshaping the financial services industry — and what registered representatives, investment adviser representatives, CFP® professionals, and other industry professionals need to know to operate compliantly, ethically, and competently in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Developed in alignment with FINRA's published guidance on GenAI: Continuing and Emerging Trends, this course examines the mechanics of large language models, emerging regulatory frameworks, practical applications in wealth management and advisory services, and the compliance and supervisory obligations that firms must address as they adopt AI-powered tools. The course also addresses the fiduciary, ethical, and client relationship dimensions of GenAI adoption that are central to the CFP® professional's practice.