Thank you for your interest in co-sponsoring an event with Preferred Systems, Inc. (PSI) The information provided below explains PSI’s role in co-sponsorship of continuing education programs. If, after reading this material, you have any questions, please contact the Director of Education at 888-455-7437. 

Preferred Systems, Inc. is approved by the following associations and certification boards and can assist you in certifying your program. 

As an approved sponsor of Continuing Education for the above certification/accreditation authorities, PSI must adhere to each of the specific certification board criteria in offering CE programs and must require the same of any organization or presenters who seek co-sponsorship with PSI.

In order to meet these standards and to facilitate an effective co-sponsorship relationship, the following materials and information are required:

Live Conference, Workshop or Lecture

1) If you are considering co-sponsoring an event or program you should contact the Director of Education at PSI to discuss the specifics of your program including the content of the program, the date, location and presenters.

If you are ready to move forward, you can get started by completing our application for co-sponsorship of a continuing education program.

2) A completed application including a non-refundable processing fee of $250 for a single workshop for each specific national certification or $250 per individual state certification plus any additional accreditation and course submission fees. Applications must be submitted to PSI 90 days prior to the printing and/or distribution of the materials. A completed application contains the following materials:

3) PSI will review the application materials and determine the potential for co-sponsorship.  Please note that this application applies only to the program you plan to offer, not the institution or presenter offering the program, nor to any future programs, each which must be evaluated individually through the same process.

4) The co-sponsoring organization will be notified in writing of its acceptance and responsibilities to be assumed by each organization in the development and implementation of the program. These responsibilities identified may include, and may not be limited to, the following:

5) PSI-approved sponsors must conduct and promote CE activities in a responsible and ethical fashion, following the principals set forth by each specific certification/accreditation board.

6) The co-sponsoring organization will enter into a consultative relationship with PSI with the full understanding that PSI has the right to request program modifications to ensure compliance with that specific certification/accreditation board.

7) Upon completion of the above, PSI will offer co-sponsoring organizations wishing to advertise their program on Preferred Systems, Inc. website (www.preferrededucation.com) a 20% discount on listed advertising prices.

8) Upon completion of the program, the co-sponsoring organization must provide PSI with the following information:

Upon receipt of all of the above, PSI will mail or email CE certificates to the course participant.

Self-Study, Webinar / Webcast, & Internet Based Programs

Continuing Education programs offered via group and self-study must ensure learning activities, materials, and delivery systems that are current, technically accurate and effectively designed.

Group Internet based programs (webinar) - must employ learning methodologies that clearly define learning objectives, guide the participant through the learning process, and provide evidence of a participant’s satisfactory completion of the program.

Live instructor during program presentation. Group internet based programs must have a live instructor while the program is being presented. Program participants; must be able to interact with the live instructor while the course is in progress (including the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers during the presentation). The program must have participant login/log out capabilities to monitor attendance. Once a group internet based program is recorded or achieved for future presentation, it will continue to be considered a group internet based program only where a live subject matter expert facilitates the recorded presentation. Any future presentations that do not include a live subject matter expert will be considered a self-study program and must meet all self-study delivery method requirements with the exception of the basis for CE credit. CE credit for an achieved group program will be equal to the CE credit awarded to the original presentation.

Self–Study. Self–study programs must use learning methodologies that clearly define learning objectives, guide the participant through the learning process, and provide evidence of a participant’s satisfactory completion of the program.

To guide participants through a learning process, CE program co-sponsors of self-study programs must elicit participant responses to test for understanding of the material. Learners must participate in activities during instruction to demonstrate achievement of learning objectives. Appropriate feedback; must be provided. Achievement of learning objectives must be confirmed after the course through a final assessment.

Use of review questions - Review questions; must be placed at the end of each learning activity throughout the program in sufficient intervals to allow the learner the opportunity to evaluate the material that needs to be re-studied. If objective type questions and multiple choice methods are used, at least ten (10) review questions per CE credit for the first credit and five (5) questions per subsequent credits.

Final examination requirements – To provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the course, CE program co-sponsors of self-study programs must require participants to successfully complete a final examination with a minimum – passing grade of at least 70 percent before issuing CE credit for the course; 80% for social work credits. Examinations may contain questions of varying format (multiple-choice, essay, and simulations). For social work credits no more than 10% of the post-test questions can be true/false questions. At least five questions/scored responses per CE credit must be included on the final examination or three final exam questions if the program is marked for one-half CE credit. For example, the final examination for a five-credit course must include at least 25 questions. Alternatively, a five and one-half credit course must include at least 28 questions. True/false questions are not permissible on the final examination for accountancy CPE credits.

Program / course expiration date - All courses must include an expiration date (the time by which the learner must complete the final examination).

Instructional materials for self-study include teaching materials which are written for instructional educational purposes. These materials must demonstrate the expertise of the author(s). At a minimum, instructional materials must include the following items: