Protocol & Forms

The following trademarks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and solely owned and conveyed by the NICEP:

• CEP®

• CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™

• MCEP®

• MASTER CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™

These marks may only be used by individuals who have been properly certified by the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners and who also comply with Institute's ongoing annual maintenance requirements.

The CEP® and MCEP® acronyms must always be used as shown with capital letters, no periods, and always followed by the "circle R" symbol (preferably in superscript). In limited formats the "circle R" may be represented in this way - CEP(R).

The terms CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™ and MASTER CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™ must always be followed by the superscript "TM" symbol, or in limited formats with this alternative  -  CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER(tm).

When using any of these marks in print or online, if space permits, please also print the following tagline or footer:

The CEP® (CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™) and MCEP® (MASTER CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™) are trademarks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and solely owned by the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners, Inc. These certification marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the NICEP certification requirements and who also comply with annual maintenance requirements.

It is proper to use the term "certification" as opposed to "designation" when referring to these marks, and except when immediately following a certificant's name, they should also be used as adjectives rather than as a title or degree. The differences may be subtle and seem inconsequential, but proper usage could serve to protect you in a marketing compliance review, audit, or inquiry.

Correct usage:

• John E. Planner, CEP®

• John E. Planner, Certified Estate Planner™

• John E. Planner is a CEP® professional

Incorrect usage:

• John E. Planner is a CEP®.

• John E. Planner is a Certified Estate Planner™.

For branding and marketing purposes, certificants in good standing also have access to  a number of logos and banners in a variety of colors and schemes. If you need assistance adding your certification marks and logos to your website, social media, print materials, etc.  -  just let us know. Certificants may not produce promotional items that display NICEP trademarks, logos, or associated material for re-sale.

Your CEP® or MCEP® certification must be renewed annually based on the NICEP's most current qualification standards which include renewal fees, CE requirements, and adherence to a Professional Code of Ethics. Let's review the fees:

Annual certification renewal fees vary based on your election of either the STANDARD or ENHANCED PROFILE, as well as whether you pay annually or quarterly.

Certification Renewal / STANDARD PROFILE - a three column web page that contains your photo, contact information, award date, and bio. The third column is available for your own video, social media, or other links that may be useful and attractive for prospects and clients.

Payment Options:

• submit $275 annually by your award anniversary date, or

• subscribe to a $59/quarter automatic recurring debit/charge.

Certification Renewal / ENHANCED PROFILE - a NICEP branded, fully personalized and editable, multi-page website with your own unique URL (e.g., www.NICEP.com/EstatePlanner). It includes everything in the Standard Profile, plus a downloadable personalized e-brochure for prospects and clients, and multiple, easily navigable, pages that allow you to maximize your presence on the NICEP website and increase your business presence online. The difference between the Enhanced and Standard profiles is only $160/year - a very inexpensive professionally branded multi-page business website!

Payment options:

• submit $435 annually by your award anniversary date, or

• subscribe to a $99/quarter automatic recurring debit/charge.

Why is the quarterly pay option less than the annual?

Fees are reduced for the quarterly subscription as an incentive to elect that option. Automatic recurring quarterly billing subscriptions can run successfully for years, and they have proven to substantially reduce unintended certification lapsing and reinstatement fees, as well as save our organization time and money invoicing and collecting annual fees. NOTE - The lower fees are only available with the quarterly automatic recurring subscription and those who elect this option should choose a reliable form of payment. Repetitive declines or returns defeat the intended purpose and will result in a return to the higher annual renewal option.

New Graduates - If your enrollment was paid at full price ($1695), certification renewal fees commence on the anniversary on your award date (see above).

If your enrollment fee was discounted, certification renewal fees will commence the next calendar quarter following your award date (e.g., May 1st award date means your fees commence on August 1st), as follows:

• Standard Profile (described above) - submit a prorated annual fee of $205 or subscribe to the $59/quarter option.

• Enhanced Profile (described above) - submit a prorated annual fee of $325 or subscribe to the $99/quarter option.

Your CEP® or MCEP® certification must be renewed annually based on the NICEP's most current qualification standards which include renewal fees, CE requirements, and adherence to a Professional Code of Ethics. Let's review the CE requirements.

Certification renewal includes completion of the NICEP continuing education requirement of a minimum of eight (8) hours every two (2) years from the date your certification was awarded. For example, if your award date is July 1, 2010, your initial window for submitting proof of CE would be any relevant education completed between 7/1/10 - 7/1/12. Then going forward, 7/1/12 - 7/1/14, etc. You may submit proof of CE along with your annual renewal application, or at any time during the year by upload, e-mail, fax or US Mail.

The NICEP accepts many forms of CE for credit toward your requirement. You may use conventional CE sources that are available in every state or online. You may submit independent verification of attendance or participation in seminars, workshops, webinars, study groups, etc. You may submit a letter from a professional colleague on their letterhead attesting to joint work on estate planning cases with specific mention of time involved and techniques utilized.

The important thing to remember is that we are looking for estate planning and related advanced planning education. Many of our certificants submit comprehensive lists or transcripts from their state licensing body, company compliance department, or other professional educational credentialing boards of their ongoing CE and let us "cherry pick" the hours from these lists in order to add up the hours required. You may also consider sending us copies of all your CE certificates of completion as you receive them. If you show participation or a certificate of completion in a course or event where the title does not adequately reflect related estate planning concepts, then provide a more detailed outline, syllabus or table of contents that shows this subject matter.

Your CEP® or MCEP® certification must be renewed annually based on the NICEP's most current qualification standards which include renewal fees, CE requirements, and adherence to a Professional Code of Ethics. Let's review the code of ethics:

Certification renewal includes adherence to the NICEP Professional Code of Ethics. The NICEP performs an annual ethics/compliance check with all certificants as part of the certification renewal process. Further, the NICEP reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke the use of its trademarked certifications for any reason at any time. Certificants not in good standing with the NICEP may not display or otherwise use in any way the CEP® or MCEP® trademarks, award certificates, logos, or associated material.

NICEP Professional Code of Ethics

Graduates of the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners shall:

• properly represent themselves with utmost integrity, making every effort to set the highest level of service and competence in the estate planning profession.

• provide quality of service that is beneficial to, and in the best interest of, their clients.

• participate in ongoing continuing education programs which shall serve to promote their individual proficiency and their credentials.

• maintain proper compliance with any State or Federal authorities and regulations as well as the professional companies and organizations that they represent, and shall notify the NICEP, in writing, regarding any regulatory non compliance findings by these entities in a timely manner.

• submit to the findings and rulings of the NICEP with regard to the continued use of its trademarked professional certification marks.

• conduct their business in a trustworthy and honest manner that shall enhance the reputation of the NICEP, its certifications, and associates.

NICEP certificants will receive notice via e-mail of their renewal requirements mid month prior to their award anniversary date. For example, notice will be sent on or around August 15th for those who renew annually on September 1st.

• Certificants who are paying annual renewal fees will be given options for submitting all of their requirements.

• Certificants who elect the quarterly automatic recurring subscription will only have to address their CE status and an ethics/compliance check via an abbreviated online responsive form.

You spent a lot of time and money earning this certification. We strongly encourage you to stay on top of your renewal requirements. Set event reminders in your calendar that prompt you or someone on your team to regularly address your renewal duties for this and any other credentials and licenses that you have. Regardless of which renewal option is elected, it is important to take action upon receiving notice to avoid additional fees.

You may also track and submit your certification renewal requirements through the CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE DASHBOARD APP.

We look forward to a very long, seamless, and mutually beneficial association with you, but occasionally things go awry. Most often, when certificants lose their good standing it is because they have lapsed in the submission of their renewal payments or CE requirements.

Regardless of the circumstances of separation, should you ever cease to be in good standing with the NICEP with regard to the continued use of your CEP® or MCEP® certification, bear this in mind - in order to insure that you are no longer holding yourself out to the public as a CEP® or MCEP® professional, you will have to immediately take the time to review and remove any use of the CEP® (CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™) or MCEP®  (MASTER CERTIFIED ESTATE PLANNER™)  trademarks, award certificates, logos, or associated material from your website(s), social media (e.g.LinkedIn, Twitter...), business and marketing materials (including e-mail signature), office space and signage, etc.

A certification can be reinstated as long as you are free and clear of any current ethics/compliance issues. It includes submitting an Application for Reinstatement along with payment of a one time non-refundable $50 reinstatement fee, possible other missing renewal fees, proof of CE if required, and possible educational/enrollment fees and requirements applicable at that time by NICEP policy.

After 2 years from an effective separation date, candidates will be given a choice (with differing costs and requirements) to reinstate to their original award date or receive a new award date.

After 5 years from an effective withdrawal or lapse date, candidates for reinstatement will have the same choice but must also successfully pass the current Qualifying Exam.

Our professional certifications are recognized and approved for use nationwide by many of America's leading financial, legal, and tax entities. We regularly work with our certificants, their legal and compliance personnel, governing boards and bars, etc. to maintain broad approval for the use of our marks.

LETTER OF STANDING  -  Individuals and firms can always check our website to search for current certificants, but occasionally compliance departments need a document. Contact our office if you ever need a letter that shows your good standing with the NICEP.

ASSISTANCE WITH APPROVAL  -  Should you ever encounter a problem using your credential with a firm you represent or a governing body, please let us know. We are accustomed to the process, language and protocol of review and approval. We will do everything we can within the laws and guidelines of your jurisdiction and nationwide industry standards to ensure your best possible use of your certification.