CHS Designation Renewal
The CHS designation must be renewed annually with The Institute. This renewal includes an application process known as a “designation renewal” for the continued right to use the CHS marks and license. Other requirements included within the annual renewal are payment of the annual licensing fee, completing 10 CE credits (one of which must be from a recognized ethics program), adherence to the Code of Professional Conduct, and having sufficient E&O coverage.
The renewal term for the CHS designation ends December 31 of each renewal year. CHS designation holders failing to renew their CHS by January 31 of the renewing year will lose their rights to publicly promote themselves as having the CHS and will have their designation revoked.
CHS designation holders failing to meet all continuing obligation requirements also risk having their designation revoked due to non-compliance. The Institute has several policies in place including a reinstatement policy for revoked and lapsed CHS designations, as well as CE exemption for special cases.
The annual licensing fee for the CHS designation for 2024 has been set at $249.
*Please note: If you obtained your CHS designation in 2023, you are not required to start earning continuing education credits until 2024. Institute designation holders are exempt from CE requirements in the calendar year in which they obtained their designation.
CHS Designation Reinstatement Policy
Designation holders who fail to renew their CHS designation by January 31 of the licensing year will have forfeited their rights to continue to use the designation mark and will be considered a lapsed designation holder, or not in good standing. For lapsed designation holders applying for reinstatement, continuing education must be completed during the period of a lapsed designation and proof of completed CE must be provided before reinstatement can occur.
Those designation holders who wish to be authorized in order to hold themselves out as an Institute designation-holder will have the opportunity to reinstate their designation with The Institute.
For all CHS designation holders who apply for reinstatement and who have been absent for three years or less:
- Proof of the required continuing education credits taken during that period must be submitted with the application for reinstatement.
- Those applying for reinstatement will be required to pay the appropriate administration fees.
For all who apply for reinstatement and who have been absent for more than three years:
- Proof of the required continuing education for the three years prior to the application for reinstatement must be submitted.
- Those applying for reinstatement may be required to take a challenge or equivalency exam, at the discretion of The Institute and pay any exam and/or administration fees.
Where a designation holder has been terminated or suspended as a result of disciplinary action, the individual’s designation and authorization to hold themselves out as having an Institute designation will be reinstated at the discretion of the Board of Trustees once the term of the suspension or termination has passed.
Note: If you require a new CHS certificate please contact Advocis Member Services at info@iafe.ca. The fee for new certificates will be $15 plus applicable taxes.