Both the 2021 Annual Compliance Meeting (“ACM”) and the 2021-2022 Firm Element continuing education (“CE”) program are available in FIRE Solutions (“FIRE”) for all Registered Representatives (“RRs”).
Please note the due dates for completing the ACM and CE, as they are different:
- Annual Compliance Meeting: complete by December 31, 2021
- Firm Element CE: complete by February 28, 2022
2021 ANNUAL COMPLIANCE MEETING
Login to FIRE Solutions (see below for instructions) and scroll down on your dashboard to find the “ACMNow – On-Demand Meetings” section.
Click “Launch” to open the meeting in a new window. Ensure the volume on your device is working, as you must be able to hear the audio. As a reminder: ensure you complete the acknowledgement at the end of the presentation in order to receive credit for the meeting. If you don’t complete the acknowledgement, the system will not record your session as complete.
FIRM ELEMENT CE COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
All registered persons will complete the following courses:
Outside Business and Personal Trading Activities: This course explains what is required when registered and associated persons wok outside their firm, deal in securities for others outside their firm, or invest for their own accounts outside the firm. It also provides case studies and disciplinary proceeding related to the topic.
Sales Practices for Senior Clients: This course reviews fraudulent and misleading activities discovered during regulatory examinations initiated by industry regulators, outlining how to recognize and what to do when a client displays diminished capacity or elder abuse.
Variable Annuity Sales Practices: This course highlights the suitability requirements and best practices to be considered when recommending and selling variable annuities.
FINRA: AML Your Role in Detecting and Deterring Money Laundering: This course covers concepts and strategies for detecting and preventing money-laundering activity.
SINGLE SIGN-ON (SSO) WITH FIRE SOLUTIONS
Use your NLG login credentials to access your agent portal. From the home page, find and click “NRS – FIRE Solutions” in the menu on the left of the screen.
This will bring you directly to your dashboard with FIRE. From there you can launch your Firm Element courses.
If, for some reason, you have a problem with SSO, you can still access your courses directly through FIRE’s website:
- Go to https://blaze.firesolutions.com
- At FIRE’s login screen, enter your username and password (provided in the email that you receive directly from FIRE).
- If you do not receive an email with your username and password information, contact FIRE’s Student Mentor Team:
FIRE’s support hours are from 9:00am to 8:30pm ET, Monday through Friday. If you contact them outside of those hours, you will receive a response during the next business day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long do I have to complete the Annual Compliance Meeting?
The Annual Compliance Meeting must be completed by 12/31/2021.
How long do I have to complete the Firm Element courses?
The Firm Element courses must be completed by 2/28/2022.
What if I miss the due date?
A RR who has not completed the Annual Compliance Meeting by 12/31/2021 or the Firm Element courses by 2/28/2022 may be subject to disciplinary action.
How do I pay for my courses through FIRE?
The cost of the Firm Element courses is covered in the ESI affiliation fee. You will not have to pay separately for your Firm Element courses.
Am I required to complete the Firm Element courses?
Covered Persons, as defined under FINRA Rule 1240(b)(1), are subject to the Firm Element CE program. At ESI, Covered Persons include all RRs in the field, and home office personnel working within ESI (registered and non-registered), and certain National Life employees registered as Operations Professionals.
Do I have to complete the Firm Element courses if I join ESI mid-year?
RRs whose ESI affiliation is active prior to 7/1/2021 must complete the program. Those whose ESI affiliation is active on or after 7/1/2021 are exempt from the current year’s Firm Element CE program
What if I recently completed FINRA’s Regulatory CE Session?
Regulatory Element training is an online exam administered by FINRA and must be completed on certain anniversaries of initial registration. Firm Element training is an annual requirement administered by the broker-dealer and must be completed in addition to the Regulatory Element. Both are required elements of FINRA’s overall CE requirement.
Can I obtain insurance CE credit through FIRE Solutions?
Yes, your subscription to FIRE Solutions gives you access to their catalog of insurance CE courses, as well. You will be responsible for the cost of courses purchased to fulfill insurance CE requirements, and FIRE will bill you directly. Additional fees for CE credits may vary depending on the state(s) requested.
What if I am having system issues?
For technical assistance with the FIRE Solutions website or questions on insurance CE credit, please contact the Student Mentor Team at 1-866-ASK-FIRE x1, or by email at firesupport@nrs-inc.com.
Will my courses through FIRE Solutions fulfill certain National Life requirements?
No, National Life maintains a separate AML requirement, apart from ESI’s Firm Element curriculum. Your National Life Annual E&O update and AML renewal can be easily updated in one system. Please contact National Life’s Market Conduct and Compliance group for information on taking the 2-year AML renewal for National Life.
QUESTIONS
If you have additional questions regarding these programs, please feel free to contact the individuals below:
Annual Compliance Meeting: Tom Longfellow, tlongfellow@nationallife.com
Firm Element CE: Christine Embling, cembling@nationallife.com
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