Webinars and blended learning aren’t the same
BOA Business
Anne Janotta Erickson, MNCPA membership marketing team leader | December 2020/January 2021 Footnote
Editor's note: Updated November 30, 2020
Social distancing has forced CPAs to shake up their CPE routine.
That’s all good, thanks in large part to group internet-based learning options. This type of learning — most often associated with live webinars and virtual events — allows CPAs to earn CPE anywhere.
But group internet-based learning isn’t the same as blended learning. This is a lesson some CPAs are learning the hard way. You see, the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA) recently shared that there’s been an uptick in CPAs wrongly reporting webinar credits as blended learning credits.
This move is incorrect and could lead to CPE reporting issues down the road. Remember, pandemic or no pandemic, BOA rules still apply.
Let’s set the record straight on how webinars and blended learning differ.
First, the facts
The BOA requires at least 24 credits per three-year reporting period to come from group live, group internet-based or blended learning programs.
What’s the difference? Good question.
Group live:
This is live, in-person CPE in which the instructor is present, and attendance is monitored. This is straightforward stuff; think seminars and conferences.
Group internet-based learning:
This is online CPE offered in real-time. The instructor is present and there is a built-in process for tracking attendance or interactivity. Webinars fall into this category.
Blended learning:
This type of CPE incorporates multiple learning formats. The delivery method can vary between live, group internet-based, self-study or nano-learning. Formats can be lectures, discussion, guided practice, games, case studies or simulations.
But what if you’re unsure? The BOA recommends checking the course’s certificate where the sponsor should list the learning type. As an example, if the sponsor categorizes the course as group internet-based, you’ll know that this course needs to be reported in the ‘group’ row and not the ‘blended learning’ row.
Now, the issue
Minnesota BOA rules state that blended-learning programs must be approved by NASBA and listed on NASBA’s CPE Registry. If a sponsor is either not NASBA-approved or not approved for the blended format, the course can’t be counted for CPE credit.
This is the crux of the matter. Not all webinars have been approved by NASBA and are listed on the NASBA CPE Registry. Therefore, they can’t be used for blended learning credits.
A webinar can be considered blended learning only if the certificate lists it as such, and it’s been approved as such by NASBA and is listed on NASBA’s CPE Registry.
Questions?
The BOA makes the rules, but we help you understand them. Contact the BOA directly at 651-296-7938 or
www.boa.state.mn.us.
The MNCPA is here to help. Reach out anytime with you CPE questions at 952-831-2707 or
customerservice@mncpa.org.
In need of a CPE rules refresher? We’ve got you covered at
www.mncpa.org/CPErules.
Are you forgetting something?
Renew and report by Dec. 31.
Ensure your CPA certificate is ready for 2021 by renewing and reporting to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy by year’s end.
CPE reporting: Active CPAs must report for the period of July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020 (or Sept. 30, 2020, if you took advantage of the BOA’s deadline extension).
Certificate renewal: All CPAs — active and inactive — must renew annually by Dec. 31.
Learn more at
www.mncpa.org/renewal.
Ready to report your CPE? Access your members-only CPE Log for reporting-made-easy.
www.mncpa.org/cpelog.
