FAQs
General
Q: Where can I find information on pre-licensing and/or continuing education requirements?
A: Pre-licensing and continuing education requirements can be found in Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 6538 and California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16, Division 41, Article 3. Prelicensure and Continuing Education.
The Bureau recommends applicants and licensees familiarize themselves with the statutes and regulations governing education requirements.
Q: Does the Bureau approve individual courses?
A: The Bureau does not approve individual courses. Courses that meet the pre-licensing and continuing education requirements in CCR sections 4444 and 4446 will be accepted by the Bureau toward educational requirements.
Q: How do I know if a provider I want to or have taken courses from is an approved provider?
A: Approved providers are listed in CCR section 4446. Approved providers may also be providers approved by other licensing entities listed in CCR section 4446. To obtain approved providers of licensing entities listed in CCR section 4446, you will need to visit the licensing entities’ website. The Bureau does not provide this information.
Pre-licensing Education
Q: I am an attorney licensed with the California State Bar/other professional with experience. Do I need to complete pre-licensing education requirements to obtain a professional fiduciary license?
A: Yes. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 6533 pre-licensing education is a requirement for licensure. There are no exemptions.
Q: I already have a higher education degree. Do I need to take pre-licensing courses?
A: Yes. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 6533 pre-licensing education is a requirement for licensure. There are no exemptions.
Q: Do I need to complete the 30-hour pre-licensing courses first or submit my application first and then take the courses?
A: The 30-hour pre-licensing courses should be taken prior to submitting an application otherwise the application will be deemed incomplete and may be denied. Application fees are non-refundable.
Q: Where can I take the 30-hour pre-licensing courses?
A: Pre-licensing education courses may be obtained from any provider that meets the criteria as an approved provider under California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 4446 and meets the requirements of an approved education course in CCR section 4444. Pre-licensing course work may be completed through a single approved provider or more than one approved provider.
Q: What courses should I take to meet the pre-licensing requirement?
A: Approved courses are “Programs, seminars, and courses of study that are relevant to fiduciary responsibilities of estate management or of fiduciary responsibilities of the person for at least one of the subject topics as specified in subdivision (e), that address the areas of proficiency, competency, and performance of a fiduciary, and impart knowledge and increase understanding of the fiduciary profession or of the California judiciary or the legal process as it relates to the administration of fiduciary responsibilities are eligible education courses.” (CCR section 4444)
Applicants must take one hour of cultural competency coursework as part of the 30-hour requirement. “Cultural competency” means understanding and applying cultural and ethnic data to the process of providing services that includes, but is not limited to, information on the appropriate services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities, ethnic communities, and religious communities.” (BPC Section 6538)
Q: Am I required to keep documentation of pre-licensing education courses taken?
A: Yes. Pursuant to CCR section 4450, applicants are required to keep documentation of completion of pre-licensing courses for a period of at least three years from the date of issuance of the license.
Continuing Education
Q: How many CE hours am I required to take?
A: Pursuant to BPC section 6538 and CCR section 4442, licensees are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education courses as defined in Section 4444, including two hours of ethics or two hours of cultural competency, or a combined total of 2 hours of ethics/cultural competency each annual renewal cycle.
Q: What is the timeframe to complete CE hours?
A: Licensees are required to complete CE during each annual renewal cycle. An annual renewal cycle starts the day after the license expiration date and ends on the following license expiration date.
Example:
License expiration date: March 31
Annual renewal cycle: April 1 – March 31 of each year
Q: I am a newly licensed professional fiduciary completing my first year of licensure. Am I required to complete CE hours?
A: Yes. To renew a license, licensees are required to complete 15 hours of CE courses from approved education providers, including two hours of ethics and/or cultural competency. However, the renewal cycle for individuals licensed prior to January 1, 2024, and who were issued a pro-rated initial license, begins the date the license is issued and ends on the first expiration date.
Q: How do I verify completion of CE hours if I did not receive the renewal application notice?
A: A CE verification form is available on the Bureau’s website under Forms/Publications.
Q: How do I meet the new cultural competency continuing education requirement?
Two hours of ethics;
OR
Two hours of cultural competency;
OR
A combination of both ethics and cultural competency totaling two hours.
If you cannot locate a cultural competency course, you can still take two hours of ethics to meet the requirement. The new law simply provides an alternative to meet the existing requirement.
Q: Where can I find courses to take to meet the required CE hours?
A: Please review CCR Title 16, Division 41, Article 3 for more information on CE requirements. An Approved Education Providers list is also available on the Bureau’s website.
Q: Do I need to keep records of completion of CE hours?
A: Yes. Pursuant to CCR section 4452, licensees are required to maintain documentation of completion of CE courses for a period of at least three years from the date of renewal.
Q: I would like to offer continuing education courses to professional fiduciaries. Do I apply for approval with the Bureau first?
A: No. The Bureau does not directly approve course providers or individual courses. To offer coursework meeting the Bureau’s educational requirements, you must seek approval or have been approved by one of the entities listed in CCR section 4446. Course topics must be relevant to professional fiduciaries and meet the requirements established in CCR 4444.