Where do I send a new CEU for approval?

All new CEU submissions will be accepted through the online portal only. Paper-based forms will not be accepted. A CEU provider must register as a provider before a CEU is submitted. The website address is www.idcec.org

Do all providers need to pay the annual registration fee in addition to the course submission fee?

The annual provider registration fee is paid per year. A separate course submission fee is paid with every course submission. The registration of a provider allows IDCEC to keep a track of providers and enables metrics for number of courses, attendance records, survey results, etc.

We would like to use US currency and not have to pay fees for foreign currency?

IDCEC is set up to operate out of Canada. We are registered as a not-for-profit entity and pay taxes as per Canadian laws and regulations. The currency of operation is Canadian dollars to ensure consistent business practice. This was a strategic decision.

Can we pay by American Express credit card as that is the corporate card we use?

IDCEC accepts only Visa and MasterCard for payment. IDCEC has made this decision to curb expenses and service fees which are relatively high for American Express.

What conversion rate should I use when paying in Canadian dollars?

The rate of conversion is applied by the credit card company and will show up on your credit card statement. This is the most convenient way to make payment. IDCEC does not accept check payments in US dollars and only accepts Visa and MasterCard credit cards.

What is the turnaround time for approval of an IDCEC CEUs?

The online solution factors in a reduced turnaround of 3 weeks. The provider will be informed as soon as the CEU is approved.

Is there a separate charge for different modes of delivery (in-person lecture, online and webinar) for a CEU that has the same content?

There is no additional charge if the CEU is offered in different delivery modes. The selection must be made up front and the fee of $350 is charged once only. You must ensure that the distance learning supplement is filled out at the time of submission if the CEU delivery in in-class and webinar.

Why has IDCEC reduced the validity of a CEU from 3 years to 2 years?

IDCEC seeks to offer education that is current and beneficial to professional interior designers. The interior design industry is exposed to changing trends that can pose a threat to designers who do not keep up with the current changes. Providers of professional development courses must be responsible for offering the most current content and information available in the market. This makes designers competitive when they can offer clients more than the ordinary. Ideally, professional development courses should be reviewed annually.

What is the transition time and when will the new fees come into effect?

All CEU submissions received before December 31, 2011 will continue with the 3 year expiry and will not be charged at the new rate. The cut-off was January 01, 2012. All CEUs received after January 01, 2012 will be charged at the new rate as course submissions align to the fiscal year for IDCEC which runs from January to December.

Example: A course was submitted in December 2011 and the review decision came back in January 2012. The approval is granted for 3 years, the course would expire in January 2015. The fee was $100. A course submitted in January 2012 and the review decision comes back in February 2012. The approval will be granted for 2 years, the course would expire in February 2014. The fee is $350.

When will annual registration fees be applied?

Annual registration fees will apply after the launch of the online portal in April 2012 and will be pro-rated for the first year. Please see fee schedule for detailed information. Registration fees are automatically charged when you activate your account and register as a provider.

When will Class-code fees apply?

After the launch of the online portal in April 2012.

What is a class-code and why do providers need to get this code?

A new online process is in place where providers must input the schedule of offerings at least 48 hours before the event. The class-code is connected to the attendance record for each IDCEC learner. A unique class code is generated by the system for each instance of a CEU offering and this must be handed out to learners after the class. Effective July 01, 2012 instructors will no longer be required to hand out certificates of completion or course surveys. These will be completed online after the learner inputs the class code. Providers will be required to provide attendance information to IDCEC based on class code in the online portal. This helps to track and monitor learning activity and obtain statistics for the provider and IDCEC. Courses reported will also show on the learner transcript of continuing education activity. It is very important that attendance be reported to IDCEC within 5 business days. Failure to report attendance will result in the learner not being able to claim credit for the CEU.

CAD 10 per class code Paid upon submission of the course schedule by provider.

Attendance must be reported so that the CEUs are recorded on the IDCEC transcript. Learners report attendance online if they want the credit recorded on the transcript and can print their automated certificates of completion. The online survey must be filled out first and cannot be by-passed by the learner. This will give us solid feedback about the course and early detection of course quality, which can be shared with the course provider.

Learners who do not have an IDCEC number must be issued with a certificate of completion (paper copy) by the providers so they can claim CEU's from their membership organizations (Example OAA, AIA, NKBA, etc.).