Customs Broker Continuing Education: The 20-Hour Triennial Requirement
Since the continuing education rule took effect on July 24, 2023, every individually licensed customs broker must complete qualifying continuing broker education each triennial period and certify it in the triennial status report (19 CFR 111.102). Checked 12 Oct 2026.
How many credits
| Triennial period | Credits | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2027 | 20 (reduced, this period only), earned from Jan 1, 2025 | CBP notice, 89 FR 87387 (Nov 1, 2024) |
| Every later period | 36 | 19 CFR 111.102(b) |
| After a voluntary suspension ends | 1 credit per full month left in the period | 19 CFR 111.102(b) |
Who is exempt
- Brokers in voluntary suspension (19 CFR 111.52).
- Brokers who have not held the license for a whole triennial period when the report is due (19 CFR 111.102(a)(2)).
- The requirement is on individual brokers; an organization license has no CE requirement of its own.
What counts
Training by CBP or another US government agency counts without accreditation; anything else counts only if a CBP-selected accreditor approved it before it was given (19 CFR 111.103(a)). Seminars, webinars, workshops, symposia, conventions and self-guided online courses with a retention test all qualify. Keep proof for 3 years after the status report (19 CFR 111.102(d)).
If you miss it
CBP notifies you; you have 30 calendar days to file a corrected report (and finish the credits). Then CBP moves to suspend, and if still uncured 120 days after suspension, to revoke (19 CFR 111.104).
Frequently asked questions
How many CE credits does a customs broker need?
36 per triennial period under 19 CFR 111.102(b); 20 for the 2024-2027 period only (89 FR 87387).
When is the 2027 triennial status report due?
The filing window runs December 14, 2026 to February 28, 2027 (CBP). A report not filed by March 1 suspends the license by operation of law (19 CFR 111.30(d)(4)).
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