CBDM Prior Approval FAQs for Program Administrators

How does the prior approval process work?

• All applications are submitted online. The individual submitting the application should be logged into their personal record with ANFP. If you have problems logging in, please e-mail priorapprovals@CBDMonline.org.


• If your organization has not submitted an CE Provider Account Set-Up application, please click here.


• Once you have logged in, select CE Provider Home and then Add Program to begin the application process. The application must be completed in one sitting.


• Unless an Unlimited CE Provider, once the application is submitted, you will be directed to the online payment system.


• You will receive an e-mail confirmation that your application has been submitted. Once approved you will receive another e-mail notification.

How and where do I log in?

• Visit www.ANFPonline.org


• Select Login on the top-right of the page


• Enter your login and password


• Select Login


• To view your personal record page, at the top of the screen, next to your name, select View Profile.


• To access the CE Provider Portal, select CE Provider Home.

What are the benefits of becoming an Unlimited CE Provider?

The Unlimited CE Provider/Renewal Program is an all-inclusive package providing organizations the ability and flexibility to request an unlimited number of CE programs to be prior approved on demand for a period of one year. Each program must be submitted through the CE Provider Portal and will be automatically approved with required supporting documentation.

All unlimited providers will be subject to an audit process. See Appendix G for details. All Prior Approved programs are assigned a unique Prior Approval number that is valid from the date of issuance, expiring 12/31 of the third year and remains active as long as the Unlimited CE Provider annual fee is paid. Annual invoices are created in October and are due by 12/31 of the current year.

After the third year of approval, programs become renewable for an additional three years, allowing the sponsoring organization to renew the education by re-applying for approval through the CE Provider Portal and providing required documentation for the program. The Unlimited CE Provider/Renewal Program includes new upcoming programs and covers previously approved programs up to a maximum of six years.

To become an Unlimited CE provider, complete the Account Set-Up Application.

What are competence levels?

Competence levels provide an understanding of the educational level of each program.

How do I add multiple dates/locations in the application process?

To add an additional offering when submitting the application, select the “+” sign in the upper right on the dates table. Up to 5 additional dates/locations can be entered. You will need to contact priorapprovals@CBDMonline.org to add more than 5 additional dates/locations.

How do I submit an ongoing program? (Archived Webinar, Online Course, Ongoing Seminar/Meeting, In-Service)

A single, ongoing program can be viewed anytime and offered year-round. The Ongoing programs fee is $200.

• For providers without Unlimited status offering ongoing programs, approval begins the date of issuance, expiring one year from that date. The provider will be sent an e-mail notifying them of the program’s upcoming expiration with direction on how to renew the program for an additional year.


• For Unlimited CE Providers offering ongoing programs, approval begins the date of issuance, expiring 12/31 of the third year. These programs remain active as long as the Unlimited CE Provider annual fee is paid. These providers then have the option to renew these programs for additional 3 years.


• Program Type Book: Approval begins the date of issuance, expiring 5 years from the copyright date. The copyright date must be added to the application. Book CE is not renewable. Please note that "Books" have a maximum of six CE hours that a CDM, CFPP may report in a three-year recertification period.

To add the application:

• Once logged into the CE Provider Portal Home page, select Add Program


• Add the program name, the ongoing program type, number of CE and the speaker/author


• Upload the required documentation for the program type selected


• Select Competence level and topics


• Add Advertising to the notes field


• Enter the start. The end will populate out 1 year for CE Providers without Unlimited status. For Unlimited CE Providers the end date will populate out 3 years.


• Complete the registration information


• Select “Add” – CE Provider’s without Unlimited CE provider status will be directed to the online payment system.

What happens after I submit an application?

Applications for non-unlimited provider programs are reviewed thoroughly before approval is awarded. Sponsoring organizations will be notified within 30 days if the application is not complete and given the opportunity to submit additional materials. All documentation and payment must be received before the presentation/delivery of the CE program or processing will not continue and application will be considered inactive.

After the application is approved, the sponsoring organization will receive a confirmation e-mail containing the Prior Approval number and all other information pertinent to the approval.

Where can I find my paid invoice?

To locate a copy of your invoice, while logged into your ANFP personal record, select My Organization Transactions. All invoices associated with your organization will be listed with a link to print the invoice.

When are late fees applied?

Beginning June 1, 2020, ANFP will begin charging expedite fees for all applications submitted with less than 30 days to process.

• If less than 30 days, $50 will be added to the invoice.


• If less than 15 days, $75 will be added to the invoice.