How to Become a NASBA Registry CPE Sponsor: Process, Fees and Standards
Becoming a NASBA Registry sponsor means an application, a review of one course per delivery method, an agreement and annual renewal. NASBA publishes fee ranges that scale with the programmes you offer.
Firms, associations and training providers that want to issue CPE credit for CPAs often ask what NASBA Registry approval involves. NASBA's published process starts with an interest form, then a full application, then a review of one course per delivery method, an agreement and annual renewal, and its initial fees run from $1,222 to $6,500 for group programmes, depending on size. This guide sets out the steps, the fee ranges NASBA publishes and the points that are not clear from the pages we read. If you are a CPA looking for courses instead, read our online CPE providers guide. The fee pages are undated, so check the current figures before you plan a budget.
At a glance
| Item | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Step one | Submit an interest form to NASBA |
| Step two | Apply with policies, programme lists, author and reviewer biographies, a course evaluation and a sample certificate |
| Step three | NASBA reviews one course per delivery method, and the sponsor signs an agreement |
| Ongoing | Keep participation records and renew each year |
| Group fees | Initial $1,222 to $6,500; annual renewal $910 to $5,980, both scaling with the number of programmes |
| QAS Self Study fees | Initial $1,716 to $5,195, scaling with total credits offered; renewal $910 to $5,980 |
| Nano learning fees | Initial $1,222 flat; renewal $910 if it is the only method, or $572 added when other methods are held |
Who this guide is for
This is a provider guide. A CPA who only wants to find approved courses does not need to apply for anything. A firm that runs internal training, a professional association or a training company might want to issue credit that boards recognise, which is where the Registry comes in. NASBA's application is built around its Standards, and the 2026 Standards took effect on 1 August 2026.
The application process
NASBA says the process begins with an interest form. The application then asks for your policies, a list of programmes, author and reviewer biographies, a course evaluation and a sample certificate. NASBA reviews one course for each delivery method you apply for. If approved, the sponsor signs an agreement, must keep participation records and renews each year. Our what NASBA does guide covers NASBA's wider role.
Delivery methods you can apply for
Registry approval covers the delivery methods named in the application: group, QAS Self Study, nano learning or blended learning. Each has its own requirements, which we cover in our guide to the Registry and QAS. Because approval is method by method, plan which methods you actually need before you apply.
What the fees look like
NASBA's group page shows initial fees from $1,222 to $6,500 and annual renewal from $910 to $5,980, both scaling with the number of programmes. For QAS Self Study the initial fee runs from $1,716 to $5,195, scaling with the total credits offered, and the renewal range matches the group renewal range. Nano learning has a flat initial fee of $1,222, and renewal is $910 if it is your only method or $572 added to the renewal fee when you hold other methods. All initial fees are non-refundable. These pages carry no date, so we cannot say when the figures were last updated.
What your certificate must show
NASBA's group reporting guidance says the certificate must carry the sponsor's name, address and Registry Sponsor ID, and that the issuing organisation must be clearly identified. The 2016 Standards also listed the participant, course title, field of study, date, delivery method and credit amount. We could not open the 2026 sample templates or the 2026 required list, so use NASBA's current templates when you design a certificate.
Approval does not guarantee acceptance
Even a Registry sponsor does not control whether a board accepts a course. The AICPA says state boards have final authority on individual courses, and some boards limit certain delivery methods. Tell customers which boards accept your methods, and see our self-study rules by state and nano-learning limits by state for how boards differ.
What we could not confirm
We could not confirm how long approval takes, how many courses NASBA reviews for a multi-method application beyond one per method, or whether the fee ranges have changed since they were published. Ask NASBA for current details before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a NASBA Registry sponsor?
Submit an interest form, then an application, then have one course per delivery method reviewed, sign an agreement and renew each year, according to NASBA.
How much does Registry approval cost?
NASBA publishes initial fees of $1,222 to $6,500 for group, $1,716 to $5,195 for QAS Self Study and $1,222 for nano learning. The pages are undated, so check the current figures.
Are the fees refundable?
NASBA says initial fees are non-refundable.
Do I need to renew?
Yes. NASBA lists annual renewal fees, which for group start at $910.
Does Registry approval make every board accept my courses?
No. State boards have the final authority on accepting individual courses.
Next steps
Read our guide to verifying a NASBA CPE sponsor to see how CPAs will check you. If you are comparing study options, see our Learnsignal pricing page.
Source: NASBA blog on what it takes to become a CPE sponsor (August 2023), NASBA Registry application pages for group, QAS Self Study and nano learning, NASBA Registry group reporting best practices and AICPA notice on CPE credit. Checked October 2026.
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Learnsignal Education Team
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