Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) are required to complete annual continuing education (CE) to maintain their registration. Missing the IAR CE deadline does not immediately stop you from doing business, but it does trigger a series of consequences that can become serious if not addressed quickly.
Here’s what happens if you miss the deadline, how it affects your registration, and what you need to do to fix it.
View Your State’s Requirements
What Happens Immediately After You Miss the Deadline
If you fail to complete your required IAR CE by December 26, your status changes automatically.
Your Status Becomes “CE Inactive”
- Your CRD/IARD status is updated to CE Inactive
- You are still allowed to conduct business during the current year
- However, you are considered out of compliance
It Becomes Public Record
- Your CE Inactive status appears on IAPD and BrokerCheck
- Clients, employers, and regulators can see this designation
- While not disciplinary, it signals non-compliance with CE requirements
If You Miss One Year of IAR CE
Missing one year is fixable, but it requires immediate action.
What You Must Do
- Complete 24 total credits:
- Six or 12 credits for the missed year
- Six or 12 credits for the current year
- Credits completed will apply first to the prior year, then to the current year
- The six credits requirement assume you are dually registered and have completed FINRA’s Regulatory Element CE training
👉 View IAR CE Courses
What Happens Next
- Once all credits are completed and reported, your status updates back to Approved
- You remain eligible for renewal as long as everything is completed before year-end processing
If You Miss Two Consecutive Years
This is where the consequences become much more serious.
Registration Renewal is No Longer Allowed
- You become ineligible to renew your IAR registration
- Your status may change to “Terminated – No IAR CE” (FTR)
Re-Registration May Be Required
To regain registration, you may need to:
- Complete all outstanding CE requirements, or
- Re-take and pass the Series 65 or Series 66 exam
- File an updated Form U4 to re-register as an IAR
At this point, missing CE is no longer just an administrative issue, it can directly interrupt your ability to work.
Key Deadlines You Need to Know
Understanding system processing timelines is critical.
- December 26 (4:00 PM ET)
FINRA stops processing CE submissions for the year.
Credits submitted after this time may not appear until January. - December 31
The official deadline for completing IAR CE for the year.
Waiting until the last week of December puts you at risk, even if you complete the courses on time.
How to Fix a Missed IAR CE Deadline
If you’ve already missed the deadline, take these steps immediately:
- Complete All Missing CE: Finish both Products & Practice and Ethics credits for all missed years
- Confirm Reporting: Ensure your CE provider reports credits promptly to the CRD system
- Check Your CRD Status: Verify that your status updates correctly once credits are processed
- File an Updated Form U4 (If Required): If you’ve crossed the two-year threshold, a new U4 may be necessary after clearing deficiencies
👉 View IAR CE Courses
Missing the IAR CE deadline does not immediately stop you from doing business, but it does put your registration at risk. One missed year requires catch-up. Two consecutive missed years can result in termination and force you to re-register or re-test.
The safest approach is simple: complete your IAR CE early and confirm it’s reported well before year-end.
STC offers IAR CE solutions designed to help you stay compliant, avoid last-minute issues, and protect your registration year after year.
