EducationContinuing Education System

What are Self-Reported Activities?
If a program is not offered by an AIA/CES Registered provider, members have the option of self-reporting the program or activity. The intent of this activity must educational in nature and new knowledge in reference to their practice of architecture. Members must indicate whether the activity they are reporting is self-designed, professional community service, or a structured self-reported program.

Members can not self-report courses offered by AIA/CES providers. If credits offered by providers are missing from members’ transcripts they should contact the provider directly. If members self-report credits offered by approved providers the self-reports will be rejected.

• Self-Designed Activity. This type of learning activity is organized by the member specifically to meet his or her individual needs. A self-designed activity frequently involves more than one type of medium or method, such as research, reading, interviewing subject experts, listening to audiotapes, and/or viewing videos. To determine what qualifies for self-reporting, ask yourself the following questions: (1) Is this a planned learning activity? (2) Is this activity intended to be educational or operational? (3) Are you acquiring new knowledge or are you sharing your knowledge with others? (4) How will you apply this new knowledge to your practice? This method is not acceptable for health, safety, and welfare (HSW) credit or sustainable design (SD) credit. Some state licensing boards will not accept this type of reporting for mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements. (Recommended minimum of three hours) .
• Structured Self-Reported Course. This is a structured activity offered by an organized, third-party, non-CES provider. Documentation of attendance/participation will usually be required as a supplement when reporting this activity to meet a state licensure requirement. For members who self-report a structured activity, the AIA is not able to assist in acquiring any support documentation that may be required by a state licensing board MCE audit.
• Members who present a program or class, or serve on a panel, or give a speech one hour or longer can self-report the topics as a structured activity program. If the topic relates to HSW, members can claim the program as HSW. AIA members can self-report the research and preparation time for presentations, speeches, and classes that they teach. The research must be self-reported as self-designed and, regardless of the topic, will not qualify for HSW credit.
• The AIA allows a maximum of 10 LU hours of research time for each hour of actual class presentation time. Members may select just one option, either teaching credit or research, but cannot claim both for the same event.
• University/College faculty: Full-time (FT) university faculty can not apply for credit if the course in question is part of their regular curriculum workload. They can however, apply for credit if the course or program is outside of their normal work assignments. Part-time (PT) faculty can apply for teaching credit for any course taught once every 3 years.
• For each semester hour of credit assigned to the course the AIA will allow 15 LUs hours. (1 semester hour = 15 LU hours; 3 semester hours = 45 LU hours
• For each quarter hour of credit assigned to the course the AIA will allow 10 LUs hours. (1 semester hour = 10 LU hours; 3 semester hours = 30 LU hours.
• Professional Community Service.  This type of activity could include architecture panels or community board meetings.  Members can self-report 2 hours of community service per calendar year.

For AIA members, using the CES Discovery system will require little preparation. However, those who have bookmarked the AIA/CES Records Department site may find that the Web address no longer works. Remember that going to the AIA CES Web page, and clicking on the sign-in link on the left will always take you to the new CES Discovery site.

Once you sign in you will see the Self Reported Activities tab on the red horizontal navigation bar near the top of the page. Once you click on the Self Reported Activities tab you will be able to view all self-reported activities already submitted. Also, you have the option to submit a new self-report by clicking on the “Add New” button near the bottom of the page. Please follow these steps when completing the self-report:

1. Enter the activity title

2. Include a description of the activity which includes 4 learning objectives

3. For structured self-reports (formal courses not offered by approved AIA/CES providers)

a. Enter the contact name of the course presenter

b. Enter the contact email for the presenter

c. Enter the contact phone for the presenter

4. Enter the number of learning units (1 LU is equal to 1 contact hour)

5. Select the category of self-reported activity

a. Professional Community service for time spent on community boards, panels, commissions, volunteer work. Members can self-report at most 2 hours total/calendar year for professional community service. This time is not eligible for health safety welfare or sustainable design credit.

b. Self Designed for time spent in research, study time, writing an article, self-guided tours. This time is not eligible for health safety welfare or sustainable design credit. Members can self-report at most 50 hours per self-designed activity.

c. Structured for formal courses not offered by approved AIA/CES providers

6. Select credit designation

7. Chose the start date and end dates of the activity.

8. Upload a certificate of completion or other relevant file to complement the information submitted. The file must be an image file (.pdf, .jpg, .bitmap, .gif.)

9. Click save

The course will appear on your list of Self Reported Activities with a Pending status. Once it is approved the credit will be visible on your transcript, and the status will be Approved.

Please Note: Aligning closer with state licensing boards’ practice,  AIA CES providers will need to report HSW courses for you to receive HSW credits.  Members can continue to self report credit hours.

The AIA does not guarantee that state licensing boards will accept any individual course for credit towards an architectural registration or renewal. Please consult the relevant licensing board for their exact regulations. Please contact AIA Member Care CES if you have questions.