Recertification | Questions & Answers

Q) How do I find out what my dates are, how many CEUs I owe, or what form is due when?
A) Every quarter (January, April, July, October) we send out an email titled; "LPF Notice: LPC Quarterly Certification Status". Look for this personalized certification status report in your in-box. It has all your key dates, CEUs on file, fees owed, etc. If you cannot find last quarter's report, feel free to ask us for a copy.

Q) What types of activities does LPF give credit for?
A) The LPF encourages educational opportunities and career advancement. Please visit our Continuing Education Units page with links to ALL the varying ways to achieve CEU credits.  

Q) How do I know for certain if my unlisted activity will receive CEU credit?
A) Please use our CEU Evaluation Guide page to help you evaluate your activity.

Q) I am interviewing for a new position. What can I use to demonstrate that my LPC credential is valid and current? 
A) The Loss Prevention Foundation regularly updates and publishes the names of all those who hold valid LPCertified credentials on our LPC Certified Professionals web page.  

Q) How do I pick the CEU track versus exam track?
A) You are welcome to change your track every new, three year recertification cycle. The CEU track is pro-actively chosen by submitting your CEU accomplishments on the CEU submittal deadline date(s), while the exam track is ‘chose’ by default.

Q) Can I apply credit against an activity that I’ve already received credit for from a different credential?
A) First of all, congratulations for having two credentials! Yes, the LPF will also give you credit for the activity, so long as it matches our criteria too.

Q) Do activity CEUs' expire?
A) Yes they do. We give CEUs to events that are up to 24 months old at the time of submitting your accomplishments. If you have earned more CEUs than is required for a given year, we suggest you submit the older ones, and hold on to the newer ones, in case you are short the next year.

Q) Can I split an activity's CEUs between years?
A) No. Activities can only be claimed once, in full, and credits do not carry forward. A 30 hour training class will result with 10 extra CEUs that cannot be applied.

Q) I don't travel to conferences and I don't have much money. Are there CEU opportunities out there for me?
A) Yes and yes. If you have access to the internet there are many online courses and webinars that you can take for credit. Remember we accept CEUs for both LP/AP topics and/or business. The web is filled with archived and ongoing free webinars covering such topics. Another way to earn credit is to do pro-bono public service right in your local neighborhood. Please call us if you'd like to discuss your personal situation.

Q) I don't have enough CEUs. I have no choice but to take that difficult, dreaded exam again.
A) Please don't think that you have to take the exam without talking to us first. We are finding over and over that most people have more CEUs than they knew. We also have plenty of interesting volunteer, LPF work that you can do for some extra CEUs. For example, we are always looking for LPC Company Recertification Champions.

Q)Am I late? I just submitted my Recertification Application form, meeting my recertification deadline. However, I just received notice that I missed a signature and I need to resend in my form.
A) No, you are not late. You met your deadline. The date a form is first submitted is the date we count. Depending on your particular situation, it can take 2-3 weeks after the first submittal to clear up all the ensuing items (getting forms correct, receiving and paying an invoice, etc.).

Q) I just sent in my forms. When can I expect to hear back from you?
A) Good question. Expect to normally hear back from us within five business days and at the latest within ten business days.

Q) My life is pretty busy. How do I know when I something is due?
A) We understand how busy you are and we try to make you aware of your key dates by email. When something is due (e.g. 20 CEUs) we email you a notice a month prior, the month it is due, and the grace period month. After that, we are sorry, but we must apply the consequences of that late item. We certainly recommend you make sure we have a current email address on file.

Q) I’m sorry, I missed my CEU submittal deadline last week. Is it too late?
A) No, it is not too late. The LPF gives all certificants a 30 day grace period with regards to missing their CEU Submittal Deadline dates. Just hurry and submit all your necessary items to the LPF before the grace period ends. 

Q) Due to a scheduling glitch, my recertification exam is two days after my recertification's cycle end date. Is it too late? Will I have lost my credential?
A) You are not too late. The LPF grants certificants a 30 day grace period for recertification as well (by exam or CEU). However, you are in a rather risky position. It is very important that you pass your exam before the grace period ends or you will lose your credential till you pass. Good luck!

Q) I missed the CEU submittal deadline and it is past the 30 day grace period. Is it too late? Am I now in the exam track for this recertification cycle?
A) No. It is not too late to continue earning your credential by CEU. However, you will need to pay a late CEU processing fee of $30 (providing you are in the first or second year of your recertification cycle - the third year is different and is considered lapsed). Be aware, that being late, shortens next years' time for earning your 20 CEUs, as submittal dates remain fixed. 

Q) How does the payment process work for recertification and/or for late fees ?
A) You can pro-actively pay fees when they incur or you can pay them all at once when re-certifying. You cannot recertify if there are outstanding fees. Use our Pay Your Recertification Fee guide for directions on how to pay your fee.

Q) Why do I have to keep records of my CEU activities?
A) We recognize your hard work to earn your LPC credential and we urge you to protect that work in the event that we do not receive your submissions and/or you are selected for audit. With careful record keeping, you will be significantly better prepared to help us remedy discrepancies. 

Q) What CEU records do I need to keep?
A) Please retain a copy of all forms or mailings sent to the LPF (CEU activity listings/recertification applications, etc.) as well as proof of each accomplishment or activity. Visit our Audit Proof Suggestions page for items you need to collect and retain to receive credit as well as to help you successfully navigate the audit, should you be chosen.

Q) How long do I have to keep my CEU records?
A) In most cases you will need to keep your CEU records three months beyond your yearly CEU submittal deadline. However, in unusual circumstances or exceptions, like late CEU submission, certification restoration application, appeals, etc., you need to those records and proof for a 6 months past your request or submittal.

Q) I attended 3 activities last year, earning 10 units each, but I only submitted 2 of them to get my necessary 20 units. Can I claim that 3rd activity towards this year's CEU requirements?
A) While it is not optimal, you can claim your activity (so long as was never claimed and it is not older than two years). However, not only are you losing out on new, advanced, educational opportunities, but you may also find that older activities are harder to verify in an audit. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you avoid the practice of claiming past activities, and instead, grow the habit of continuously advancing your education and career.

Q) This year I've been very involved and have attended over 12 activities; totaling well over this and even next year's units. Can I submit my CEUs for this year and, at the same time, submit the other CEUs towards next year?
A) CEUs can only be submitted and applied towards a past or current year, but never out into a future year. Hold on to those extra CEUs and submit them right after that new CEU year cycle begins. However, do understand that we prefer and encourage, life habits of continued education. Therefore, if you do get additional educational opportunities next year, do take advantage of them as well.

Q) My personal circumstances are just overwhelming right now. I am simply unable to meet the recertification deadline and/or fees (even with your 30 day grace period). Would you consider giving me a break till my circumstances are settled?
A) Absolutely. LPF recognizes that there are times when circumstances can become so overwhelming (military deployment, medical, accidents, hardships) that special consideration needs to be granted. Please appeal to us by email at http://www.yourlpf.org/general/?type=CONTACT, highlighting your extreme circumstances (be sure to include your contact information as well) and we will do our best to help you in your situation. However, be aware, that the LPF will not give consideration to 'normal' life experiences; such as being busy, moving to a new home, getting a new job, etc.