While your association continues to focus on the unprecedented and fast-changing environment impacting the Trade community, the more ‘routine’ business of the association continues as well.  At the recent in-person Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC following the Legislative Summit and Fundamentals events, some significant changes for NAFTZ were approved and will be implemented in the coming weeks and months.

NAFTZ Credentials -  AZS and CZS

NAFTZ’s two professional credentials, the Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) and Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) will have streamlined maintenance and renewal criteria starting in 2025.  These new requirements have been specifically designed to align with today’s best practices in professional credentialing while simultaneously aligning with LCB renewal requirements and making it easier for credential holders to earn credits in general.

AZS:

NAFTZ’s long-standing credential is designed to elevate professional standards and distinguish foreign-trade zone professionals who have demonstrated knowledge of the FTZ program and regulatory change in our challenging environment.  Currently, AZS holders must attend three NAFTZ professional development programs with at least two being in-person or virtual events. 

First of all, for AZS holders, it is important to note that these new requirements will not start for any current AZS holders until AFTER their next regular AZS renewal period. 

At this time, requirements to earn the AZS are not being changed.

The new AZS renewal requirements:  

Accredited Zone Specialists (AZS) are required to renew the certification every three years (as has been the requirement since inception).  The renewal will require that the holder has completed 40 continuing education units (CEUs) of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) related educational development, or a combination of FTZ related education development CEUs plus up to 10 credits of qualifying professional development activities totaling 40 credits earned over the preceding three-year renewal period. Conferences and professional development activities that are considered qualifying are outlined below.

• Confirmed attendance at NAFTZ conferences. The typical number of CEUs that may be earned per NAFTZ conference are listed below:

• **NAFTZ is currently working to establish necessary processes to allow for recorded webinars to qualify for CSS, CES and LCB CEUs and recorded webinars will not be available for CEUs until the new processes are in place and coordinated with NEI.  
• Qualifying professional development activities, include:

Current AZS holder transition timing for the new maintenance requirements:

New AZS renewal requirements will apply to current AZS holders starting with their next regularly scheduled AZS renewal. Until then, they will follow the existing renewal requirements. At their next renewal, they can decide if they wish to continue holding the AZS under the new AZS renewal requirements or drop the designation.

CZS:

Certified Zone Specialists (CZS) are required to renew the certification annually. As outlined below, the renewal application documents include completion of 1) continuing education within the FTZ industry and/or 2) completion of qualifying professional development activities.

The renewal must have completed 12 continuing education units (CEUs) of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) related educational development, or a combination of FTZ related education development CEUs plus up to 4 credits of qualifying professional development activities totaling 12 credits earned over the preceding annual renewal period. Conferences and professional development activities that are considered qualifying are outlined below.

• Confirmed attendance at NAFTZ conferences. The typical number of CEUs that may be earned per NAFTZ conference are listed below:

Both credentials will also allow members to self-report any non-NAFTZ FTZ professional development for consideration by the NAFTZ accreditation committee for credit.  NAFTZ will also no longer offer CPE credits offered by the NASBA, and as noted above will instead move towards alignment with LCB (Licensed Customs Brocker) requirements. 

New NAFTZ Member Type - Third Party Fulfillment Providers (3FP):

NAFTZ has seen consistently increasing inquiries about membership from companies that would fall into the 3FP member class.  NAFTZ defines 3FP as either the zone operator at the site or company who is subcontracted for zone operations. These companies do not process their own merchandise through an active zone project. Companies must have either a purchase agreement, lease agreement, or a subcontracting agreement for the facility where zone operations are happening to be categorized as a 3FP.  Dues for 3FP members will be equal to the Service Provider membership type. 

This new member-type within the NAFTZ membership structure was specifically designed for the following purposes:

• Clearly demonstrate to Third-party fulfillment providers (“3FP’s”), that we know who they are, what they do and want them to join and support them in this unique role.
• Like Grantees and User/Operations, 3FPs face opportunities and challenges unique and different than all our other member types. Recognizing their unique challenges will be key in getting third-party fulfillment to join and renew.

Potential benefits to be offered to 3FP members include: a 3FP committee equivalent to the grantee and user/operator committees; 3FP Sessions or Track at in-person conferences and events; 3FP Round Tables at in-person events; 3FP pairing in the Mentorship Program; 3FP members listed and searchable in the membership database and directory as a 3FP and more.

Watch for more information as these important changes are implemented and formally put in place.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have about these important new changes for our association.