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NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI)

Certification Programs

Continuing education is critically important if our industry professionals are to remain viable partners with the importing and exporting communities.  The NCBFAA Educational Institute is the formal structure to offer continuing education and industry certification.

Once you have earned a certification, you must earn a requisite amount of continuing education credits each year and pay a yearly renewal fee in order to maintain that certification.

Tracks & Designations
 

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Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Program

  • Member: $715
  • Non-Member: $1,375

The NCBFAA's Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Certification Program is designed to assist trade professionals involved in the import industry to become experts in the current import regulations. 

Program Track

  • 50 hour course, 6 months to complete
  • Students must complete 25 modules and a cumulative final exam to earn the CCS designation

Master Customs Specialist (MCS) Program

  • Member: $950
  • Non-Member: $1,450
MCS II
 

The Master Customs Specialist (MCS) Certification designates its holders as possessing advanced knowledge and skills in U.S. Customs and its partner government agencies.

Program Track

  • 60 hour course, One year to complete
  • Students must complete 24 modules, a cumulative final exam, and write a persuasive essay on an approved customs-based topic to earn the MCS designation

CES
 

Certified Export Specialist (CES) Program

  • Member: $715
  • Non-Member: $1,375

The NCBFAA's Certified Export Specialist (CES) certification program is designed to help trade professionals involved in the export industry to become competent and knowledgeable in the current export regulations.

Program Track

  • 120 hour course, One year to complete
  • Students must complete 107 modules and a cumulative final exam to earn the CES designation

Master Export Specialist (MES) Program

  • Member: $950
  • Non-Member: $1,450
MES II
 

Fully narrated with multiple animation features, this on-demand, 10-Module course takes a hands-on approach to all facets of exporting from the United States.

Program Track

  • 60 hour audio-based course, One year to complete
  • Students must complete 10 modules, a cumulative final exam, and write a persuasive essay on an approved export compliance topic to earn the MES designation

Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) Program

  • Member: $500
  • Non-Member: $850

The Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) Certification Program is designed to educate trade professionals in the growing and evolving U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) industry.

Program Track

  • 15 hour course, 6 months to complete
  • Students must complete 5 modules, and a cumulative final exam

Withdrawals & Cancellations

The NEI requires written notice of course withdrawals (email, fax, or mail).

There is a $50 administrative fee if the NEI receives written notice of enrollment cancellation prior to the NEI providing the student with a username and password. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a $50 administrative fee will be issued. 

There is a $100 administrative fee if the NEI receives written notice of enrollment cancellation after a username and password have been provided. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a $100 administrative fee will be issued. Students may withdraw from the course at any time but no refund will be provided after the course has begun.

 

Continuing Education

Continuing education is key to the mission of the NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI). Once an individual has earned one of our four professional designations, they must earn a specified number of continuing education credits each year in order to be eligible for recertification.


CCS Grandfathering

Licensed brokers and individuals who have passed the broker's exam (proof required) can grandfather into the program without taking the CCS course. 

Email a PDF copy of your license to the NEI Staff. You will then be provided information on submitting your $125 grandfathering fee. Please do NOT submit your fee prior to submitting your CBL.
 

In July of  2015, the NEI launched its new Learning Management System (LMS), LogisticsEI. This site houses our annual case studies, as well as other online courses, including the Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Course.

Other online courses, such as the Certified Export Specialist Course and much more, are still housed on Gistnet.com.

Become an NEI Professional Member

FAQs & Policies