IAR CE Countdown: What You Need to Know Before Dec. 31

As the end of the year approaches, it’s critical for Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) to ensure they meet their annual CE obligations. Failing to complete your IAR CE requirements by December 31 could result in a CE Inactive status, or worse, a full registration termination if left unresolved.

Below is a year-end checklist to help IARs stay on track and understand exactly what’s at stake, what deadlines to watch for, and why Quest CE is the go-to provider for last-minute CE completions.

1. Know Your CE Requirements

IARs must complete 12 total credits of continuing education each year to remain in good standing. That includes:

6 credits of Products and Practices
6 credits of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

These requirements apply to any IAR registered in a state that has adopted NASAA’s IAR CE model rule. Check your state’s adoption status [here].

To meet these requirements, you must take your CE courses through a NASAA-approved course provider. Quest CE is a fully approved provider, with updated course packages created annually to ensure you meet the criteria without repeating past content.

2. Understand the Rollover Deadline: December 26 at 4:00 p.m. ET

The IAR CE deadline is December 31, but there’s an important system processing detail that catches many IARs off guard.

On December 26, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET, FINRA will stop processing CE course rosters in preparation for year-end registration renewals. After this time, while Quest CE will continue to roster your completed credits, the CRD/IARD system will not reflect those updates until it reopens in early January 2026.

That means if you’re cutting it close to the deadline, you may not see your CE status update in the system immediately, but rest assured, if you complete your credits in our system by December 31, we’ll ensure they’re rostered as soon as processing resumes.

3. What Happens if You Miss the December 31 Deadline?

Missing the CE deadline comes with serious consequences. Here’s what you need to know:

If you don’t complete your IAR CE by December 31, your registration status will shift to “CE Inactive” in the CRD system. This status is public, it will display on BrokerCheck and the IAPD, and will apply across all states that have adopted the CE rule. For compliance professionals and their firms, this public designation signals non-compliance to regulators, clients, and prospects, creating immediate reputational risk.

If you remain “CE Inactive” through the end of the following calendar year without completing your CE, your IAR registration will be terminated, and your status will change to “IAR CE Fail to Renew.” Regaining registration requires completing all missing CE credits and submitting a new Form U4, a process that takes time and creates significant disruption to your career and firm operations.

If you’re already CE Inactive and approaching your two-year deadline, you must complete your courses by December 25, 2025 at midnight, before the CRD system shuts down for year-end processing.

4. Why Firms Choose Quest CE for IAR CE

When it comes to IAR CE, everyday matters in December, and not all providers are created equal. Here’s why firms trust Quest CE to get their reps across the finish line:

✅ Transparent Pricing
All NASAA roster fees are included in our upfront cost, no surprises or hidden charges.

✅ All-New Content Every Year
We release fresh, updated course packages annually to ensure full compliance and prevent duplication.

✅ Next-Day Reporting
Your credits are rostered within 24 hours, helping you maintain up-to-date credentials, even in the final days of the year.

✅ CFP® Dual Credit
Our IAR CE packages are also approved for CFP® continuing education, giving you more value in every credit.

Don’t Wait, Your CE Deadline Is Closer Than You Think

If you haven’t completed your IAR CE yet, now is the time. Whether you’re catching up before the system shutdown or helping your firm avoid CE Inactive designations across multiple reps, Quest CE makes year-end compliance easy, fast, and reliable.