Is the AIA/CES Provider Program right for you?
Benefits to you as a Provider
See what our Providers are saying about the AIA/CES Provider Program
How to Apply
Program Development
Distance Education
Provider Audits
Provider Workshops
What is a Cornerstone Partner?

Is the AIA/CES Provider Program right for you?
Thank you for your interest in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Systems (CES) Registered Provider Program. Please review the following to determine if this program is right for you.

If you agree with any of the statements below, you would benefit from becoming an AIA/CES Provider:

Benefits to you as a Provider
All AIA/CES Providers receive these benefits:

• Authorization to publicize the organization and programs as “Registered with the AIA/CES”
• Advertise programs in the CES Programs database on the AIA Web site, the largest international listing of programs specifically targeted to the design and building industry
• License to use the official AIA/CES logo to promote affiliation
• Password access to online services and the AIA/CES Provider Manual
• Listed as a CES Provider on the AIA Web site
• Receive CES Provider Connection email list serve newsletter and announcements
• Opportunities to attend CES Provider workshops and training programs
• Eligible to apply for the AIA/CES Award for Excellence

See what our Providers are saying about the AIA/CES Provider Program

"Being an AIA/CES Provider elevates the manufacturer's architectural representative from product peddler to trusted consultant." - Mark Johnson, FAIA

"The relationships that have developed with other members of the program, including other manufacturers, AIA component staff, architects and others has proven to be an unquantifiable asset for our complete operation. From sharing of ideas and experiences to observing other quality programs, we have found that the time we have invested in the AIA/CES program has returned major dividends." - Michael D. Perry, Hon. AIA, Building Logistics, Inc.


"If you want architects to specify your products, then architect continuing education is a must. And the best way to learn more about increasing your effectiveness with architect continuing education is to be a part of the AIA/CES Provider program. The AIA/CES staff and other registered providers do an outstanding job of providing me with everything I need to know to be successful in this area." - Terry Zeimetz, AIA, CSI, CCPR

How to Apply

To become a registered AIA/CES Provider, you must fill out and submit a Provider Application. This application consists of two parts.
Part I (pages 3 - 8) is the portion that you are required to fill out and submit with a sample program  including any handout materials relevant to your program. The program you submit will not be registered by us. You will have to register programs separately on the appropriate forms once approved.  The person filling out the application MUST be listed as the Point of Contact or Alternate Point of Contact.  Those who will be responsible for administration should be the point(s) of contact.
Part II includes excerpts from our Program Administration Manual and includes policies, procedures, and sample forms (only) so you can review the administrative expectations of the AIA/CES Provider Program. Please review all of this information carefully before preparing your program materials and submitting the application.  Incomplete applications will be declined.

Before submitting the application, we also encourage you to complete the Professional Organizational Assessment tool.  See below.

Please note:  Our main purpose when reviewing your application is to ensure that you are aware of how to develop and deliver education within the context of AIA/CES policies and guidelines. We are not evaluting content but rather format (have you included educational elements and excluded unnecessary,  biased/proprietary product/service information).  Please be aware that you must submit a sample program that is complete and prepared specifically for AIA/CES including but not limited to: CD-ROM with PowerPoint or print outs of PowerPoint's or lecture/speakers notes and any handouts relevant to the education portion of the program.  Information on the program summary submitted should match the program materials you submit for review as the sample. Please read all components of the application carefully and please allow six to eight weeks for processing.  We will only accept complete applications.  Do not send payment or programs separately or they will be returned.  All applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Download the application.  This is the 2008 application because starting Sept. 1, 2007, the 2008 rates apply.  See the fee schedule on page 9 in Part I of the application.  If you cannot download this document, please email: ces@aia.org and request one be emailed to you in Word format.   Please read the information below in the Program Development section to help guide you in this process. 

BONUS!!! - Take this assessment before you apply to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your organization’s professional development program for the A/E/C industry. We expect all organizations involved in the AIA/CES Provider Program to take their professional development efforts seriously. This tool can help guide and track your success now includes a feature to put you in touch with individuals whose expertise can assist you in your identified weaker areas. We encourage you to evaluate yourselves regularly and use this tool as a way to strive for enriching your organization's commitment to professional development. It can also be used to help you successfully apply for the CES Award for Excellence!

Program Development

To help you develop quality education programs, we have provided some downloads to use as resources when creating an AIA/CES program. 

Program Development for Adult Learners - reviews program development for adult learners including adult learning principles, instructional delivery methods and format selection.
Needs Assessments - reviews the purpose of a needs assessment, how to conduct one, what information to collect, how to collect it and sample collection methods.
Learning Objectives Reference Guide - is a quick guide to writing learning objectives to develop educational programs. 

During this process, please note the following as it relates to Provider status and registering and promoting courses and reporting attendance:

1) Once approved as a Provider, you are not considered “accredited” or “certified” as Providers, nor are your programs “accredited” or “certified”. You are an approved Provider and are able to register courses to deliver to architects for credit. It is very important that this distinction be clear so you advertise yourselves and your programs appropriately since the AIA is not an accrediting or certifying body. 

2) Please do not confuse CEU’s with LU’s. The definition of a Continuing Education Unit per IACET is: "One (1) IACET CEU is equal to ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."  All CEU's are equal to ten (10) contact hours and one (1) learning unit  is equal to one (1) contact hour (60 minutes).  We measure all continuing education units for AIA/CES as Learning Units (LU's).  If you have questions contact: ces@aia.org. 

Distance Education

If you are interested in delivering distance education programs please download the Distance Education Policy.  All distance education programs have to be approved separately and must comply with the AIA/CES Distance Education Policy. 

Provider Audits

We will begin conducting random Provider audits to ensure that programs are being developed and delivered properly and that programs and attendance are being administered per AIA/CES guidelines. All guidelines can be found in the AIA/CES application and in the CES Provider Manual. 

For more information on program development, delivery and administration contact Sara Thomas at ces@aia.org or consider attending a scheduled Provider Workshop below.

Provider Workshops

Provider Workshop Schedule

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 PowerPoint's so you can design your programs properly in the context of the CES policy. For more information, please e-mail ces@aia.org about the particular workshop and registration information will be emailed to you.

What is a Cornerstone Partner?