Consumer Protection Department panel approves asynchronous option for mandatory continuing education

The Consumer Protection Department panel voted to allow the mandatory continuing education (CE) course to be offered asynchronously in addition to live, in-person or live-online delivery for the 2024–2026 cycle.

The move followed discussion about access and scheduling. Jill (broker) told commissioners she had received many calls from licensees and schools reporting a shortage of live classes and said one estimate suggested “about 10,000 people” could fail to complete required CE by the February deadline, exposing them to fines. Commissioners and staff cited instructor shortages and last-minute behavior by licensees as drivers for approving an asynchronous option.

Commissioner (Speaker 3) formally moved to permit the required coursework to be presented asynchronously and live; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally in a numeric form; the chair declared the motion passed. The motion language as stated on the record: “to allow asynchronous teaching of the mandatory continuing education 2024–2026 class in addition to the already allowed in-person teaching of that class.”

Department staff (Jill) explained the department reviews course content and syllabi for asynchronous offerings but does not review every video. There is currently no mandatory interactivity requirement, though many providers build interactive checks into their asynchronous products. Commissioners asked that DCP notify schools of the change; staff said they will alert providers and that some schools already maintain asynchronous versions.

The panel also discussed potential short-term remedies if large numbers of licensees still cannot complete CE by the deadline, including targeted outreach by the department, asking schools to add dates, and the possibility of case-by-case waivers or short extensions. Staff noted existing late fines (a figure cited on the record of about $315 for late compliance) and the chair and commissioners emphasized the goal of reducing the number of waiver requests by expanding delivery options.

A separate, publicly recorded waiver for an individual on active military duty was approved later in the meeting.

What happens next: DCP staff said they will notify schools and providers about the allowed delivery formats for the 2024–2026 cycle, and may consider waivers if widespread access problems emerge. The transcript does not specify exact implementation dates beyond the cycle name or provide a numeric vote tally.