Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or becoming an IACET Authorized Provider (AP)? You’ve come to the right place. The most commonly raised comments and concerns follow. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, please contact us.

• Becoming an IACET AP
  
• The AP Application Process
  
• Once You’ve Become an IACET AP
• More About IACET CEUs

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Becoming an IACET AP

Q: Can an individual become an IACET AP?

A: No, only organizations that are chartered or incorporated, governmental units or legally recognized sole proprietorships are eligible to become APs.

Q: How many years does our organization need to have been in business to become an IACET AP?

A: Your organization must have been in business and operating under the conditions described in our application for at least one year.

Q: Can our organization get a single course or learning event approved without becoming an AP?

A: IACET does not approve courses or learning events independent of the AP accreditation process. We approve organizations that provide continuing education and training and that can show, through the application review process, that their policies and processes comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training.

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The AP Application Process

Q: How long does it take to be approved as an AP?

A: Generally, the review process takes three to four months.However, the length of time varies depending on the amount of additional information requested in the application review process and the amount of time it takes to schedule the site visit.

Q: How much does it cost to become an AP?

A: The cost of the application package is $450. At the time of submission, applicants are also required to submit a non-refundable application fee of $3,250 ($2,500 for current APs that are seeking reaccreditation).This fee covers administrative costs, expenses related to the site visit and honoraria. After AP accreditation, an organization pays yearly accreditation fees of $835.

Q: What is the purpose of the site visit during the AP application process?

A: During the site visit, representatives from the IACET Commission verify that all of the information contained in an organization’s application is accurate. Visitors may ask questions about specific items on the application and may ask an organization to confirm responses with evidence. The Commission also may review course materials and other organizational materials.

Q: Can I get a sample of a completed AP application?

A: Unfortunately sample applications almost beg for imitation. Each organization is different, and thus there is not necessarily one correct response to each section of the application. IACET wants to see that your organization understands each of the Standard Category Elements and can show how your organization goes about meeting each element within the continuing education and training you provide. Your application should describe your organization, how it administers training and provides continuing education units. If you have questions about the application process, we recommend that you attend one of our AP workshops or participate in one of our informational webinars.

Q: What role does the IACET staff play in the application process?

A: When an application is submitted, IACET staff review each application for completeness before passing it on to the IACET Commission. Staff also tracks the status of applications, handles billing and answers questions about the application process.

Q: How do you know if you have the most current version of the AP application?

A: The most current AP application will always be available at www.iacet.org. An email notification containing the new application will be sent to organizations that have purchased the Standard and application but have not yet submitted, so that they have the most current version of the application to work with prior to submission.

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Once You’ve Become an IACET AP

Q: How long is AP status valid?

A: The Authorized Provider accreditation is valid for five years from the date of approval. During the fifth year, an organization that wants to maintain its AP accreditation must apply for reaccreditation, which revisits the steps followed in the original AP application process.

Q: If our organization is already an AP, do we need to submit materials for new activities or courses to IACET when we create new programs?

A: No. If your organization is an AP, you should have an internal review processes in place that ensure your programs, current and new, meet the ANSI/IACET Standard.

Q: Who can use the AP logo?

A: Only IACET APs may use the logo. It may not be used by individual IACET members.

Q: How will we know about changes to the ANSI/IACET standard?

A: IACET notifies members by email and posts notifications at www.iacet.org.

Q: Can an AP use non-employee instructors to deliver courses?

A: Yes, as long as your organization selects, monitors and evaluates them using the processes described in your AP application.

Q: Our company has several subsidiaries. If the training department of one becomes an AP, are the others considered APs because they are part of the same parent organization?

A: Because subsidiaries tend to operate independently of a parent organization, IACET requires that subsidiaries undergo the AP application process and become authorized APs in order to offer IACET CEUs.

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More About IACET CEUs

Q: Once our organization is an AP, can we co-sponsor CEU activities, courses or programs with other organizations that award IACET CEUs?

A: Only an AP can use the IACET AP logo and offer IACET CEUs. If your organization is awarding IACET CEUs under your name at an event, and if you are responsible for ensuring that activities, courses and programs meet all of the ANSI/IACET Standard categories and elements, you may offer IACET CEUs. However, you cannot authorize another organization to offer IACET CEUs.

Q. Can an instructor/trainer receive IACET CEUs for a training event they are conducting?

A:  No, instructors are responsible for delivering the content to participants and assessing whether or not participants met the learning outcomes.  It is the assumption that the instructor has already established they are competent in the content area prior to the training event.  Instructors are not active learners in the training event; they are the facilitators of knowledge.

Q: Can IACET CEUs be awarded retroactively for courses that took place before accreditation?

A: No, an organization has to be determined to meet ANSI/IACET Standard requirements and be approved before CEUs can be awarded.

Q: Can an AP offer IACET CEUs for courses it purchases from another provider?

A: Yes, but only if the AP ensures that the courses purchased fully meet the ANSI/IACET Standard, just as you would if you developed the courses internally. For example, you must:

• • Conduct a needs analysis and review the materials before purchasing them
  • Ensure that appropriate learning outcomes are incorporated into course design, development, delivery and assessment
  • Verify that qualified personnel instruct the courses
  • Ensure that effective methodology is employed in delivery
  • Ensure that the program is comprehensively evaluated, with the results of the evaluation used for continuous improvement of the program.

In other words, the purchased courses must undergo the same policies and processes described in the AP application and used on courses your organization develops itself.

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