What are the standards for AIA approved continuing education providers?

AIA Continuing Education (AIA CES) providers must adhere to specific standards to ensure quality and relevance of continuing education programs for AIA members. These standards include course length, content, learning objectives, and instructor qualifications. Providers also need to comply with reporting requirements and maintain current subscription status.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the key standards:

1. Course Requirements: 

• Minimum Length: Courses must be at least one hour long, with a minimum of 60 minutes of direct learning activity.
• Unbiased Content: Content, particularly for courses offered by product manufacturers, must be unbiased, non-promotional, and generic, with product discussions limited to after the credit portion of the course.
• Learning Objectives: Courses must have a minimum of four stated learning objectives. 
• Qualified Instructors: Courses should be created by subject matter experts and presented by individuals with relevant backgrounds.
• HSW Content: At least 75% of HSW (Health, Safety, and Welfare) courses must focus on the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.
• Proprietary Information: Course materials should not include proprietary information, except potentially on the first and last slides of a presentation.

2. Reporting and Reporting Requirements: 

• Online Reporting: Course attendance must be reported online to AIA CES within ten business days, according to Green CE. 
• Provider Subscription: Providers must have an active AIA CES Provider subscription. 
• Subscription Expiration: Providers have a 15-day grace period after their subscription expires to report member attendance earned prior to the expiration, according to The American Institute of Architects: AIA.
• Course Updates: AIA courses must be updated and resubmitted every 3 years, according to Green CE. 

3. Additional Considerations:

• AIA CES Logo: Providers must display the AIA Continuing Education logo with their courses. 
• Credit Designations: Providers must display the credit designation (e.g., 1.5 LU or 1.0 LU/HSW) and learning objectives for the course. 
• Self-Reporting: AIA members can self-report learning outside the network of registered AIA CE providers for LU/elective credit, according to Freshworks. 
• HSW Credit: Only approved courses may carry HSW credit. 

By adhering to these standards, AIA CES providers ensure that AIA members receive high-quality, relevant, and valuable continuing education that supports their professional development and contributes to the betterment of the profession, according to AIA Austin.