We are pleased to announce that Global Training Center’s instructor, Trudy Wilson, has been selected as a Partner Accreditor for CBP’s Customs Brokers Continuing Education Program. With a strong history of assisting brokers on national levels, we are honored by this acknowledgment of our industry dedication and the exceptional subject matter expertise of our professionals. We remain committed to supporting customs brokers in enhancing their capabilities to effectively meet the needs of importers.

FAQs

The continuing education requirement is for individuals who already have a customs broker license. Look for accredited trade-related courses (seminars, webinars, online self-paced training).

All of Global Training Center’s paid courses are accredited and earn CBP CE credits. See full list of courses and credits.

Qualifying activities can include a wide range of industry-focused learning. This may be attending trade seminars, or webinars, completing online self-paced courses, or participating in company training programs.

Whether they’re developed in-house or provided by a vendor. Port tours and trade days hosted by local associations also count, giving brokers hands-on and community-focused ways to meet their continuing education requirements.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not ask every broker to show proof of their continuing education. Instead, a percentage of brokers will be selected for an audit after the triennial reporting period ends in March 2027. The current triennial period ends on January 31, 2027, and brokers will have the month of February to submit their Triennial Status Report (TSR), which includes confirming completion of CE credits.

If you are selected for an audit, you must be able to provide your CE records within 30 days of CBP’s request. Brokers are required to keep certain information for each qualifying activity, including the course title, provider, date, number of credits, location, and any documentation proving registration or completion (including the Continuing Education Code). Many brokers find it helpful to maintain a spreadsheet of their CE activities and store certificates or proof of completion in a dedicated digital folder.

Whithin the many benefits of completing continuing education for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) licensed customs brokers include:

For licensed customs brokers, continuing education helps you stay compliant and maintain your individual license. Brokers are required to complete a set number of CE credits every three years, which supports professionalism in the field and ensures you stay current with trade laws and CBP regulations. Keeping up with these requirements can also help you avoid costly mistakes, penalties, or delays that result from outdated knowledge.

For all trade professionals, continuing education is a way to stay informed and grow your skills. CBP policies and programs change frequently, and ongoing learning helps you stay competitive, adaptable, and valuable in your role. It also supports career development, offers opportunities for specialization, and gives you access to many free training resources offered by CBP and other government agencies.

CBP webinars cover a wide range of topics to help you stay informed and compliant. If you’re looking for accredited training, we’re proud to share that all Global Training Center courses are officially accredited by CBP. You can find all of our upcoming trainings HERE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued the Continuing Education Final Rule (88 FR 41224), updating its regulations to require licensed customs brokers to complete continuing education. This rule establishes the structure for managing this requirement.

Brokers must complete 36 continuing education credit hours every three years. However, for the current period of 2024–2027, CBP has reduced the requirement to 20 hours due to the shorter available timeframe.

CBP, together with U.S. partner government agencies (PGAs), will offer a range of free continuing education opportunities. Any training provided by third parties not affiliated with CBP or PGAs must be approved by an accreditor selected by CBP. Details about the accreditation process and available courses will be shared as they become available.

On November 1, 2024, CBP announced that brokers can start earning credit under the new Continuing Education (CE) Program, as published in Federal Register Notice 89 FR 87387.

This program ensures brokers maintain up-to-date knowledge of customs laws and procedures to serve importers effectively while supporting compliance and security in trade

Licensed customs brokers document and report Continuing Education (CE) credits to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as follows:

  • Brokers must keep detailed records of their completed CE activities, including certificates or other proof of attendance.
  • CBP does not require CE hours to be submitted immediately; instead, brokers certify completion of their CE credits when filing their Triennial Status Report (TSR), which is submitted every three years.
  • The CE credit hours earned between January 1, 2025, and the end of the 2027 triennial reporting period must be reported on the 2027 TSR.
  • Brokers should maintain physical or digital copies of all CE documentation to verify compliance if requested by CBP.
  • Educational providers approved by CBP’s partner accreditors issue certificates that serve as proof of CE credits.
  • If using third-party training providers not directly affiliated with CBP or partner government agencies, brokers need to ensure those courses are accredited by CBP-approved accreditors to count for CE credits.
  • There is currently no electronic system for immediately reporting each CE credit to CBP; self-reporting is done through the triennial process with the TSR.
  • Failure to certify completion of CE credits on the TSR could lead to suspension or revocation of the broker’s license.

Global Training Center’s courses have been APPROVED for CBP Customs Brokers Continued Education Credits. Any GTC course attended after January 1, 2025 will earn credits.

October 31, 2024.- CBP issued this Federal Register Notice 2024-24464.pdf announcing the final parameters for the CE program for Licensed Customs Brokers. 

CBP is reducing the number of required credit hours that individual brokers must earn to 20 credit hours for the 2024-2027 triennial period (with certification of completion of the credits by February 1, 2027).  This reduced number of credits applies to the 2024-2027 triennial period only.  Individual brokers are required to earn the full 36 credit hours for all triennial periods following the 2024-2027 triennial period.

Based on the criteria set for eligible CE accreditation, we expect most, if not all, Global Training Center courses to be accredited.   Below is the criteria:

  • Criteria #1 – The activity promotes an understanding of the laws and regulations governing CBP or enforced by CBP, including relevant laws and regulations of CBP’s partner government agencies.
  • Criteria #2 – The activity contributes directly to CBP’s trade priorities, programs, policies, and/or business practices.
  • Criteria #3 – The activity provides an understanding of U.S. imports and exports.
  • Criteria #4 – The activity conveys information intended to increase and improve U.S. trade compliance and enhance risk management.

The Global Training Center is awaiting approval of its courses. We will post any updates here on this page. Only the 2025 Training will qualify for CE credits. 

For brokers seeking to earn continuing education credits, it’s important to be aware that as of June 2023, CBP has introduced new regulations stating that individual customs broker license holders must complete a minimum of 36 continuing education credits every three years.  We expect our courses to be certified for credits once the CE program commences.

Therefore, brokers are currently not obligated to obtain any credits for Broker Continuing Education. Furthermore, any training or educational activities completed before the official commencement of the CE program will not be considered toward fulfilling the required CE credits for the 2024-2027 triennial period.

Find CBP Continuing Education Page Here

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