Keeping Professional Certifications after RE?

[Walt34]

I let my CFCE (Certified Forensic Computer Examiner) cert lapse about two years after retirement. At the time I was still teaching online and was a coach/teacher at the IACIS (International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists) conference near Orlando, FL every year. It was a bit of "payback" to an organization that helped me a great deal and resulted in my staying at my job for another four years after being eligible to retire. I stayed on because I was enjoying the work so much but finally retired because of other factors. But because of my staying longer my retirement bennies were much improved so the extra time was well worth it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A few years after retiring I let mine go. First I verified with the college that I teach at as a adjunct that I didn't need them. I love teaching my one class and didn't want to screw that up.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I get it, too. Am an active member of the Bar in five states. (Most practicing lawyers are active in one, maybe two.) Have been torturing myself trying to decide which ones to let go. Can’t imagine cutting off all five. But any more than two is a waste. I could move to another state in retirement but am highly unlikely to change states twice.

That seems like that is just a waste of good $ to me. Are you going to continue practicing law and maintain malpractice insurance? That's even MORE $$$ wasted (just my worthless opinion, of course).

This whole thread (not directed at any one person) is a pretty good indicator of how I think priorities in our society are all messed up. I am very happy that there is no indication out there, anywhere, (except some left over press releases on this interwebs about flight tests I was part of) of what I did for a j*b. I am much prouder of being FIREd and value THAT status much, MUCH more than what I did FOR SOMEONE ELSE for so many years.

I know, I know...I am a minority in this thought. I get it. You do the SAME thing for over a third of your life and it becomes part of you. My 90 year old Dad is like that. He flew commercially for less than 10 years, but he talks about that more than anything else he has done in life. He rarely talks about the stuff he has done over the last 30+ years in retirement.

 

[Nature Lover]

I retired in 2015 at age 55, dropped my credential type certifications, but have maintained my CPA license and membership in CA CPA Society since retiring in 2015... as a safety net of sorts.

My next renewal is in Sept 2018 (age 58), and I'll likely change to "retired" status, as such work doesn't appear to be likely necessary or desirable.

 

[akidagain2018]

If it's a license to practice I would maintain it as a type of safety net so you can always continue to do that work the license authorized you to do, like a CPA license, as Nature Lover said. If it's a specialty certification, I'd probably weigh the cost and effort to maintain vs. how likely it is I will use it or need it after retirement.

 

[USGrant1962]

I maintained my PE for 35 years. I will probably have enough continuing education hours to renew my license for two years, then I will set it to 'inactive.' If I ever decide that I need it active again, I just need to send them $60 and proof of continuing education, and it is good to go.

The only thing that I could foresee needing a license for would be if my boys wanted to start or buy an engineering services company. Realistically, setting it to inactive is a way to put it on the shelf and not think too much about it.

I switched my PE to inactive ~20 years ago because I've never done a day of design in my life. It cost me $70/year with no continuing education requirement so that I could legitimately put "PE State (inactive)" on my resume.

It just came up for a 2-year renewal and I let it lapse.

 

[Clone]

I switched my PE to inactive ~20 years ago because I've never done a day of design in my life. It cost me $70/year with no continuing education requirement so that I could legitimately put "PE State (inactive)" on my resume.

Wow. That was pricey. Here, it is $100 for 2 years renewal. $40 for inactive, and no recurring costs. No charges beyond that. If you choose to reactivate, it is $60 plus 45 continuing education hours. Normal biennial requirements are 30 hours during the previous 2 years.

 

[Mulligan]

Wow...In my state you just need 60 hours of college credit to be a sub. It could have been from the 1970s.

 

[timo2]

let me give you a reality check slash chill pill: ain't nobody hiring a 66 yr old PMP anyway (and I say this as a former PMP/ISC and some others).

Hang em up time!

Absolutely. That was (and is) my intent. I'm just a little shocked at how the email reminders from the organizations of my certs slipping away bothered me. Given that I planned on letting them go.

 

[timo2]

This whole thread (not directed at any one person) is a pretty good indicator of how I think priorities in our society are all messed up. I am very happy that there is no indication out there, anywhere, (except some left over press releases on this interwebs about flight tests I was part of) of what I did for a j*b. I am much prouder of being FIREd and value THAT status much, MUCH more than what I did FOR SOMEONE ELSE for so many years.

.

I don't think you are in the minority. The deal with certifications is they belong to a person, not to the employer. People identify with their certifications as signs of personal accomplishment, as opposed to who they choose to work for. But the certs are no longer needed anymore, at some point. That's the part that bothers people like me, when a positive part of their past is no longer needed. Just part of moving into retirement. (However, the w*rk part is a no-regrets milestone. )

 

[H2ODude]

Kept the PE two years w accumulated continuing ed credits. When I chose to go inactive the state still wanted $50 or $70 a year for that so I let it just go. Definite burning of the boat as there's no way I can pass the PE test at this point. Retired 7 years ago and it's like I've flushed whatever I knew right on out and that's just fine.

 

[MarieIG]

NY, as usual, is a PITA. Can't just not renew, have to certify that that you will never, ever practice anywhere.

Attorneys who certify that they are retired from the practice of law pursuant to Section 118.1(g) are not required to pay the $375.00 registration fee. An attorney is "retired" from the practice of law when, other than the performance of legal services without compensation, he or she does not practice law in any respect and does not intend ever to engage in acts that constitute the practice of law, in the State of New York or elsewhere. In addition, full-time judges or justices of the Unified Court System of the State of New York (as well as full-time judges in other states and/or federal courts) are deemed "retired" from the practice of law.

If you are engaged in the active practice of law in New York or elsewhere, and cannot certify that you are retired pursuant to Part 118.1(g), then you are required to pay the biennial registration fee(s).

 

[USGrant1962]

NY, as usual, is a PITA. Can't just not review, have to certify that that you will never, ever practice anywhere.

Attorneys who certify that they are retired from the practice of law pursuant to Section 118.1(g) are not required to pay the $375.00 registration fee. An attorney is "retired" from the practice of law when, other than the performance of legal services without compensation, he or she does not practice law in any respect and does not intend ever to engage in acts that constitute the practice of law, in the State of New York or elsewhere. In addition, full-time judges or justices of the Unified Court System of the State of New York (as well as full-time judges in other states and/or federal courts) are deemed "retired" from the practice of law.

If you are engaged in the active practice of law in New York or elsewhere, and cannot certify that you are retired pursuant to Part 118.1(g), then you are required to pay the biennial registration fee(s).

Wow, that's bad. I assume that only applies to residents, right? Otherwise there are serious Interstate Commerce Clause issues.

 

[MarieIG]

Wow, that's bad. I assume that only applies to residents, right? Otherwise there are serious Interstate Commerce Clause issues.

Under frequently asked questions:

I'm admitted in New York but practice out-of-state. Do I still have to register in New York?

Yes. New York does not have an "inactive" status. All duly-admitted New York attorneys are required to file the biennial registration form, either with payment of the $375.00 fee, or with a certification of retirement.

The way I am reading this, once you are admitted to practice law in the State of New York, NY requires that, as long as you intend to engage in the practice of law, anywhere in the universe, you are required to continue your active registration status with them (which of course includes payment of their fees of course, CLE, and other requirements).


Info from NYS Office of Court Administration - Attorney Registration section

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I dropped my membership to the Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, CPCU, the first year after ER. I do maintain my PC insurance license since I do still consult with the new owner of my business and would be available to take the wheel if he runs into an emergency and needs help immediately. When he's done paying me off in 8 more years I'm going to burn my PC license with a cool drink in my hand.


Most people who were in the insurance industry don't tell people what they used to do. I don't tell anybody. I've noticed other occupations tend to let people know what they used to do almost immediately. "How do you know there's a (name the occupation) at a cocktail party ? They'll tell you".....

 

[pb4uski]

NY, as usual, is a PITA. Can't just not renew, have to certify that that you will never, ever practice anywhere. ...

So, let's say that a lawyer licensed in NY retires, moves outside of NY and tells them to pound sand on their annual fee and refuses to certify that they will never, ever practice elsewhere.... what are they gonna do?

 

[Corporateburnout]

Did not renew my PMP or my ASQ ISO auditing certifications. Both of which I didn't use much but I was forced to get earlier in my career by a moron of a boss who was a certification freak.

I didn't feel bad at all as I do not plan to ever work again....

 

[SheitlQueen]

I retired two years ago. The first year I kept my licenses active just in case I wanted to work once in a while. Never worked a day. The second year I put it on inactive status which allows me to re-activate it by paying the state some money and catching up on continuing ed. This year I am going to finally let it lapse. I feel that if I haven't worked in three years I haven't kept up with the field and would not totally feel comfortable working again, plus if I haven't felt the need or want to work, I am wasting money keeping the license active.
I was licensed in another state too and had no problem giving that one up, as I never did work there.
I get those who keep their licenses/certification. We put a lot of time, money and effort to get them. For some it is a part of their identity.

 

[MarieIG]

So, let's say that a lawyer licensed in NY retires, moves outside of NY and tells them to pound sand on their annual fee and refuses to certify that they will never, ever practice elsewhere.... what are they gonna do?

You'll have to check back with me in a couple of years on that one . . .

A lot of older lawyers simply lapse. As far as I know, they are not (currently) being hunted down. The problem would most likely come in if one wanted to practice, and would seek admission, in another state. State #2 might very well (and requirements obviously vary from state to state) require a certificate of good standing from NY. Now, if you were already admitted in State #2, that would be a different story.

 

[pb4uski]

I guess they could cancel your license to practice law in NY.

 

[HadEnuff]

I dropped my membership to the Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, CPCU, the first year after ER. I do maintain my PC insurance license since I do still consult with the new owner of my business and would be available to take the wheel if he runs into an emergency and needs help immediately. When he's done paying me off in 8 more years I'm going to burn my PC license with a cool drink in my hand.


Most people who were in the insurance industry don't tell people what they used to do. I don't tell anybody. I've noticed other occupations tend to let people know what they used to do almost immediately. "How do you know there's a (name the occupation) at a cocktail party ? They'll tell you".....

Hey Stormy, I have one of your hats BTW...

I never liked it when I'd either get introduced as a dentist or asked what I did for a living. Inevitably I'd have to hear about someone's ongoing dental problems, dental treatment, painful episodes....How their dentist is screwing them...I much preferred professional anonymity.

 

[Ginny]

I went inactive at my state bar and then they sent me a bill for $150.00. That would be the funds I budgeted for the golf club, so no that won't due. I had to resign in order not to have the privilege to pay that money. I did not think twice, but it did feel weird.

 

[HFWR]

Never certified, but definitely certifiable...

 

[Taxman59]

In Dec went inactive as a CPA. Felt a bit funny, but now I feel good about having done that. Just got a bill from the state telling me I need to pay a penalty for not renewing my business license (as a CPA). The penalty for failure to pay may include the loss of my professional license!

 

[Texas Proud]

As a CPA, I'm allowed to go to "registered" status versus full licensure. It's not that expensive and I'll likely keep it for quite some time - maybe forever. Not sure if your certification has anything like that, but I can absolutely understand the feeling. It was easy to give up my job, but my certification/license will be much harder.

I do not know if that is what it is called, but that is also what I do...

I keep the license and can work if I need, but will be required to do CE.... not sure if I have to make up what was missed or just start again....