Among the most significant changes to the Standards is allowing for adaptive learning self study programs within the self study Standards with references to the two methodologies to be used in determining the CPE credit for an adaptive learning program. The adaptive learning self study standards can be found at paragraphs S17-09 through S17-17 of the 2019 Standards. Adaptive learning is not a separate instructional delivery method. Adaptive learning is considered a type of the self study program along with traditional self study programs under the QAS self study delivery method.

Sponsors who are already approved for the QAS self study delivery method on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors (Registry) may add adaptive learning self study programs to their CPE program offerings without a new application to the Registry. The adaptive learning self study programs must be developed to comply with the 2019 Standards. The Registry will require program lists to differentiate self study programs by traditional self study and adaptive learning. In addition, when the sponsor is next selected for audit, NASBA will select an adaptive learning self study program to review for compliance to the 2019 Standards.

Sponsors interested in providing adaptive learning self study programs and not currently approved for the QAS self study delivery method on the Registry must complete the application process. Application for the QAS self study delivery method includes submission of one course with other documentation required by the application, including CPE credit determination support, and a course map and/or outline that indicates each potential course path with the placement of the course review and qualified assessment questions.

If the sponsor uses Method 1 Pilot Testing for CPE credit determination, then the sponsor must submit supporting documentation for no less than seven pilot testers. This documentation can be in the form of pilot test forms with included pilot tester resume or CVs. Sample pilot test forms can be found on the National Registry Website Best Practices page. Remember, inconsistent results or outliers must be eliminated from the pilot tester results and may result in the sample being expanded in order to determine the recommended CPE credit for the course.

If the sponsor uses Method 2 Word Count Formula for CPE credit determination, then the CPE credit issued must be based on the average word count formula calculation of each potential path the learner could take to complete the program. Sponsors will be required to submit the documentation to illustrate the potential paths of the learner as well as the actual word count formula calculation for each potential path with the average of all paths’ computation.

Other than the CPE credit determination, all other self study requirements found in Standard 9 apply to adaptive learning self study programs, such as the minimum number of review questions or other content reinforcement tools, the minimum number of qualified assessment questions and the requirement of the qualified assessment to measure 75% or more of the learning objectives for the program.

As always, the Registry staff is available to answer any questions regarding adaptive learning self study programs and look forward to observing innovation as it continues to shape the CPE offerings to CPAs nationwide.