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New TRUE Advisor renewal policy

  • Updated

What is the new renewal policy? 

Currently, TRUE Advisors do not have a renewal process or policy. When a TRUE Advisor’s certificate expires, they are required to complete a new registration for the TRUE Advisor certificate program. 

The new TRUE Advisor certificate renewal policy will establish a straightforward path for TRUE Advisors to renew their certificates without completing a new program registration. Instead, TRUE Advisors will have a two-year reporting period during which they will be required to complete continuing education (CE) hours in order to renew their certificate. 

Once TRUE Advisors meet the requirements for their certificate renewal, they will submit a renewal fee. The renewal fee is a reduced fee when compared to the course reregistration fee of $450.
 

Why is this change happening? 

This change comes after careful consideration and extensive feedback from the TRUE Advisor community. The TRUE Advisor renewal policy aims to provide TRUE Advisors with opportunities for engagement and education, and to increase the value of the TRUE Advisor certificate. 

In addition, the implementation of a renewal fee structure ensures increased accessibility for TRUE Advisors to maintain an active TRUE Advisor certificate. 

When will the new renewal policy be implemented?

The new renewal policy will be go into effect on February 28, 2027. All individuals who hold an active TRUE Advisor certificate by that date will will have a reporting period start date of March 01, 2027.

When is the last day I can earn my TRUE Advisor certificate before the new certificate renewal policy is implemented?

The last day to earn your TRUE Advisor certificate before the new certificate renewal policy is February 27, 2027.

What if I’m already registered for the program when the new renewal policy is implemented? 

 If you are already registered for the TRUE Advisor certificate program, you will still be able to complete the program after the new renewal policy is implemented.

Should I earn my TRUE Advisor certificate before the renewal policy is implemented or should I wait? 

We encourage all interested individuals to pursue the TRUE Advisor certificate at this time! Please be assured that all individuals who earn their TRUE Advisor certificate before the new certificate renewal policy will receive the same full two-year reporting period as those earn their certificate after the new renewal policy is implemented.

What are my reporting period dates? 

For all existing TRUE Advisors, and any individual who takes and passes the TRUE Advisor exam by February 28, 2027, their two-year reporting period will begin on March 01, 2027. For any individual who earns their TRUE Advisor certificate after February 28, 2027, their two-year reporting period will begin on the date they pass the exam.  

How long will I have to complete my TRUE Advisor renewal? 

All TRUE Advisors will receive a two-year reporting period in which they are able to earn CE hours and complete their renewal.  
 
All TRUE Advisors will automatically receive a one-year inactive period, or grace period, if needed to complete their certificate maintenance and renewal. 

What is my renewal date? 

Your renewal date is the last day of your reporting period. It is the last day you are eligible for early renewal. The day after your renewal date, your TRUE Advisor certificate becomes inactive until you renew it or it expires. 

What is the TRUE Advisor renewal fee?  

The new TRUE Advisor certificate renewal policy includes a standard renewal fee of $100; however, additional rates are included to acknowledge early and late renewals. 
 
The following is the fee structure: 

Early renewal (year 2 of reporting period – renewal date): $85

On-time renewal (day after the renewal date – first 30 days of the grace period): $100

Late renewal (more than 30 days into the grace period): $150

What happens if I do not renew my TRUE Advisor certificate?

If you choose to not renew your TRUE Advisor certificate, then it will expire after the last day of the inactive period. If you would like to have an active TRUE Advisor certificate in the future, then you will need to complete a new registration and complete the program again.

What kind of education or activities will count towards my certificate maintenance? 

CE hours can include activities such as education courses, TRUE project participation, volunteering to support TRUE development work, and authorship of TRUE-related materials. Additional details will be released in advance of March 2027. 

Where will I report the CE hours for my certificate maintenance?

Starting on March 01, 2027, TRUE Advisors will be able to report CE hours for certificate maintenance from their TRUE Dashboard. 

What can I do at this time to prepare? 

To ensure you’re receiving up-to-date communication related to the new renewal policy, please update your email preferences.

Please take this time to ensure that you’re able to access your TRUE account. Please contact us if you need additional assistance.

Where can I locate my current TRUE Advisor certificate and status? 

If you are a current TRUE Advisor, your certificate status is active, and you can locate your certificate from your TRUE Dashboard. On this page, you can also download your certificate and find your current certificate expiration date. 

Will my TRUE Advisor certificate be impacted by future versions of the TRUE rating system when they're released? 

No, TRUE Advisors in good standing will not need to retest and their status will not be impacted when a new version of TRUE is released. Once you're a TRUE Advisor, you will continue to maintain your industry expertise through the two-year certificate reporting period cycle. You will only need to complete the program again and retest if your certificate expires. 

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