With the year-end deadline approaching, FINRA has issued a reminder on the importance of staying current with continuing education (CE) requirements. Under Rule 1240, firms and registered persons must complete both the Firm Element and the Regulatory Element each year — and, for investment adviser representatives (IARs), many states now also require annual IAR CE.

For compliance teams, these overlapping requirements underscore the need for strong tracking systems, accurate communication, and proactive planning to ensure no deadlines are missed.

Firm Element: Tailored Training Plans

Firms are required to maintain a Firm Element CE program that strengthens the knowledge and professionalism of their registered staff. Each year, compliance teams must conduct a needs analysis and create a written training plan that reflects their business model, scope of activities, and regulatory developments.

This is where our technology can help. Our Firm Element program makes it simple to:

  • Identify training gaps and high-priority risks.
  • Deliver interactive, engaging courses designed for financial professionals.
  • Track completions and generate reports that satisfy regulatory expectations.

By partnering with Quest CE, firms can reduce the administrative burden of Firm Element planning while ensuring their programs are effective and exam ready. Ready to strengthen your Firm Element program? Connect with Quest CE’s product experts today.

Regulatory Element: December 31 Deadline

All registered people have been assigned their 2025 Regulatory Element courses, which must be completed by December 31, 2025. Those who miss the deadline will automatically be marked CE Inactive, leaving them unable to act in a registered capacity until requirements are met. Although firms can request extensions in limited circumstances, FINRA’s expectation is that compliance teams closely monitor progress and address issues well before year end.

To complete their assignments, individuals will need to access the CE platform through their FinPro account. Simple housekeeping items, like making sure email addresses and phone numbers are accurate,  help ensure notifications don’t get lost.

FINRA has also published the 2025 learning topics along with an interactive tool that maps courses to registration categories. For compliance teams, this resource can serve a dual purpose: not only does it outline what individuals must complete for the Regulatory Element, but it can also inform a firm’s Firm Element planning, helping to identify where requirements and training priorities naturally align.

For more information on Firm Element & Regulatory Element, click here.

IAR CE: Know Where You’re Registered

In addition to FINRA’s continuing education rules, investment adviser representatives (IARs) must also satisfy state-level CE requirements. A common misconception is that the obligation depends only on the state where a firm is headquartered — in reality, it applies in states where an IAR is registered.

The core requirement is 12 CE credits annually, with each credit equaling at least 50 minutes of approved instruction from a NASAA-approved vendor. Those 12 credits are split evenly between:

  • 6 credits in Products and Practices
  • 6 credits in Ethics and Professional Responsibility

As more states adopt IAR CE, firms need to monitor registration activity closely and ensure representatives are completing the correct training based on where they are licensed.

Check here to see if your state — or the states where your advisers are registered — are affected. For firms with multi-state registrations, working with a provider like Quest CE can help simplify compliance by delivering approved content across jurisdictions.

Compliance Takeaway: Strengthen Oversight Now

This notice is a reminder that compliance with CE requirements should not be left to chance. Firms should:

  • Verify that all registered people can access FinPro and their assigned training.
  • Leverage monitoring tools and automated reminders through FINRA Gateway.
  • Document Firm Element needs analysis and ensure supervisory training is included when required.

With 2025 topics already published, and 2026 updates expected later this year, proactive planning will help firms avoid lapses, reduce exam risk, and reinforce a culture of accountability.