The Investment Dealers Association of Canada today announced the launch of its accreditation process for continuing education courses. Harrington Lane Inc. has been chosen as the exclusive evaluator of courses seeking accreditation.

The IDA established the mandatory continuing education program in 2000 to ensure that securities industry professionals remain current and knowledgeable about legal and compliance issues, new products and emerging industry trends.

The program, which operates in three-year cycles, requires registrants at IDA member firms to complete approved studies in compliance and professional development. Some 10,339 registrants successfully completed these requirements during the first cycle 2000-2003.

The IDA says it chose Harrington Lane Inc. through a competitive process. Courses accredited by Harrington Lane will be listed on the IDA website, www.ida.ca, under regulation/continuing education.

Currently accredited courses offered by the Canadian Securities Institute, as well as a link to Harrington Lane’s application process, are now available.

The IDA says accreditation is not mandatory and member firms may continue to approve their employees’ requests for CE credit for courses that meet the IDA’s course guidelines.