Broker's License Would Require 40 Hours of Continuing Ed Every Three Years Under CBP Framework
CBP is considering continuing education requirements of 40 hours every three years for customs brokers to maintain their licenses, said Elena Ryan, director of Trade Facilitation and Administration at CBP, who spoke via telephone at the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America conference April 10 in California. The requirement would amount to about an "hour a month" and it would be up to the broker to decide how they want to spread it out, she said. The framework, which is still in very "preliminary stages" was developed by CBP and the NCBFAA as part of the ongoing review of 19 CFR 111 regulations. The issue has been one of the more controversial aspects of the review (see 13031422).
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The requirement would apply to all brokers, no matter how long they have been licensed, Ryan said. Both low- and no-cost education options should be available for the continuing education requirements and other industry meetings and continuing education programs will also likely contribute to the 40 hours, she said. Brokers who stop their filing entries actively and then would like to return to active status would only need to make up the education requirements for the previous three-year span, she said. As part of the requirements, the agency would likely put out a request for entities to review what coursework would be accredited, she said. The requirements would also only apply to individual licenses, not corporate licenses. CBP scheduled two Webinars for May 2 to outline the idea (here).