Shocking Practice: Free CPE Courses with Pre-Exam Questions—What’s Going Wrong?

In the world of professional development and continuing education, integrity is key. However, my recent observations regarding a website, cpe247.com, raise serious concerns about the validity of their CPE offerings.

The Issue at Hand

CPE247.com is currently offering free CPE courses that include more than 10 credits. While free education can be a great opportunity, the practice on this particular site is deeply troubling. The website provides the final quiz questions in advance as a downloadable PDF. This seemingly minor detail has significant implications for the credibility of the CPE process.

The practice of offering quiz questions beforehand allows individuals to bypass the actual study material entirely. Instead of engaging with the content and learning, individuals can simply use tools like ChatGPT to find the answers and pass the quiz. This undermines the educational value of the courses and results in certificates being awarded without genuine comprehension or learning.

Why This Matters

The ability to complete a course without engaging or even opening study material or understanding the content erodes the trust in CPE programs and the professionals who complete them. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the regulatory oversight provided by organizations like NASBA.

The practice observed on cpe247.com highlights a serious flaw in how some CPE offerings are managed and monitored. If professionals can obtain certificates without actually learning the material, it diminishes the value of CPE credits and undermines the purpose of continuing education.

What Needs to Be Done

Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from everyone involved in the CPE process:

1. Stricter Oversight: NASBA and other regulatory bodies need to ensure that CPE providers adhere to high standards of educational integrity. This includes monitoring practices and ensuring that quiz questions are not provided in advance.

2. Enhanced Monitoring: Regular audits and checks on CPE providers can help catch and address issues like those seen on cpe247.com before they impact the broader professional community.

3. Clear Guidelines: Providing clear and stringent guidelines for CPE providers regarding the handling of quizzes and study materials can prevent such issues from arising in the future.

4. Transparency: Greater transparency about how CPE courses are reviewed and approved can help restore trust in the system and ensure that only credible and effective educational opportunities are available to professionals.

Conclusion

The integrity of CPE is crucial for the ongoing development and professionalism of CPAs. The practices observed on cpe247.com highlight a significant issue that needs to be addressed to maintain the credibility of continuing education. By taking proactive measures to ensure the integrity of CPE offerings, we can uphold the standards of our profession and ensure that all professionals continue to learn and grow in a meaningful way.

As the situation develops, it's essential for NASBA and other regulatory bodies to clarify their stance and take corrective action to prevent such practices from undermining the value of CPE. The commitment to high standards in professional education must remain a top priority for everyone involved.