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Provider Renewal and New 2007 Administration Documents
September of each year marks the beginning of renewal time at AIA/CES for all Providers.  Invoices went out the first week of September 2006 and for most Providers, there are up the three different ways that renewal can be accomplished. Some Providers joining us this year will be billed at prorated amounts and for this reason, we ask you to please wait for your renewal invoice before contacting us about payment. If however, you have not received an invoice by the end of this month, please let us know and we will handle your account separately.  Mailed invoices are addressed to the main point of contact and address as listed by the Provider in our system.  Changes that have occurred throughout the year should have been reported to us in order for updates to be made.  Be reminded that renewal is based on calendar year and we would like all Providers to renew and update their account information by the end of each December.

As you renew, you will be instructed to log in to the Program Menu. Here you will be able to download 2007 administration documents.  There are no significant changes to the process for registering and reporting attendance EXCEPT for Conference and Convention program formats.  If you use this format to register events, please download the 2007 Conference and Convention manual.  Our way of making sure you are up to date is for you to be using the most recent forms.  Until the end of 2006, you may use 2006 forms and documents but please be sure by 2007 you have downloaded the 2007 manuals and documents for administration.  As mentioned, few changes have been implemented and and explanation of these changes will be posted in the program menu next to these downloads.
We appreciate your efforts to remain complaint in all aspects of administration and quality of educational offerings. Please call or email us if we can assist you.  202-626-7356 or ces@aia.org.

Provider Administration Information
As a Provider you can manage your CES Provider status and programs throughout the year. Using your CES Provider Number (usually 4 alpha/numeric characters) and password (issued to you upon Provider approval via email) log in at the CES Provider Login area located here. Some options on the Provider Program Menu enable you to:

•  Update contact information
•  Advertise your program for FREE in the CES Programs Directory
•  View the current CES Provider Manual to obtain Forms for program submission, download the certificate template, and review CES Provider guidelines and policies
•  View transcripts
•  Evaluate your programs
•  View program statements
•  CES Provider training opportunities

PLEASE NOTE:  We will be conducting random program audits/reviews.  Be sure you recognize and implement the new guidelines per the 2006 Provider Program Manual including the Quality Assurance Slides (page 7 in the manual) and collect signatures from presenters on the Quality Commitment Statement (page 8 in the manual). 

Provider Audits
All Providers are eligible to be audited by AIA/CES. These audits may be random or they may be initiated due to feedback from the field about non-compliant programs, delivery or reporting issues. If you are selected for an audit you will receive instructions regarding the information required and deadlines within which to comply with requests. Please take these requests seriously. The purpose of these audits is for AIA/CES to ensure that Providers are maintaining compliance in development, delivery and reporting of quality education programs in the field. Together, it is our responsibility to ensure that your audience receives appropriate and timely credit to maintain their AIA membership and state licenses.

Please be aware that we are encouraging firms and chapters to ask for "deliverables" and to evaluate Provider programs using an audit form. The feedback we receive from these sources creates a checks and balance system that ensures consistency and compliance in delivering quality educational programs. If you would like to be proactive in acknowledging what information may be asked of you prior to delivering a CE program and to see how you may be evaluated, download this document that we have made available to firms and AIA Chapters.

Each year when you renew your Provider status, you are directed to download the new CES Provider Manual that has changes and updates which should be incorporated into all existing programs and internal personnel training.  All updated procedures, forms and information can be found in the Provider Program Menu which can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection using your Provider Number and assigned password for the year.

Thank you for working with us to maintain consistent and quality delivery of AIA/CES programs that the architects you are serving deserve.  If you have questions about the audit process or would like to be audited to receive feedback on how your are currently developing, delivering or administering programs, contact Debra Grandy at dgrandy@aia.org.

If you are a new Provider or a new point of contact and would like to learn how to make best use of your partnership with AIA/CES, consider attending an upcoming Provider Workshop.

Provider Workshops

These valuable workshops are meant for anyone interested in the Provider Program or current Providers wanting to know more about CES basics, best practices and “non-negotiables”, CES Web site navigation, marketing strategies and instructional systems design (ISD) tips. We also focus in on how to develop learning objectives and effective PowerPoints so you can design your programs properly in the context of the CES policy.

For more information or to register, please email Sara Thomas at ces@aia.org.