Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s)

F.A.Q.'s Available on This Page:

1. Registration and Login Procedures F.A.Q.'s
2. Membership Pricing
3. Continuing Education Course F.A.Q.'s
4. Professional Skills Course F.A.Q.'s

Registration and Login Procedures F.A.Q.'s

1. Why do I have to register?
   Every user must register. This registration process enables our educational vendor to provide you with ongoing support for both CE and Professional Skills courses, as well as file any necessary CE credits.


2. How do I register for PIA's online courseware program?
   Before you can take one of PIA's online courses or have licenses of pre-purchased Professional Skills courses assigned to you, you must complete a brief, one-time registration form. You can complete the registration form at any time by visiting the My Coursework page. If you haven't already registered, you'll be able to do so after selecting your first course. At that time you will directed to the "Sign In for Courses” page. There you can either register or login if you have already registered.

Continuing Education Course F.A.Q.'s

1. Can I take any course that I see in the CE Descriptions page?
   No. CE courses are filed per state; that is why you choose a state at the beginning of the program. Additional courses are always being filed, so you should check back, but courses currently available to you are those shown on the state page.
2. How will I know if the course I am choosing is the course I want?
   Before choosing a course, you can view a brief description of the course. After selecting a course and signing in you will also have the opportunity to read a table of contents. If you decide later that the course you have chosen does not meet your needs, you may cancel at no cost, as long as you have not yet activated the test at the end of the course.
3. How is the CE Selected Curriculum option different from the CE Full catalog option?
   Not all PIA affiliates have elected to take the CE Selected Curriculum option. It is merely a collection of courses tagged to a particular career path, and meant as a suggestion only. All courses represented in the CE Selected Curriculum are also in the CE Full Catalog option, but the reverse is not true. One option is "Selected" courses only and the other is a "Full" catalog.
4. How much do CE courses cost?
   Previews are FREE! You may go in and out of as many courses as you like at no charge, as long as you do not activated the test at the end. The price for each course $35.95 - $39.95. Prices are displayed beside course titles when you select a course.
5. When do I pay?
   When you elect to take the test. You will get three chances to pass with a score of 70 or better.
6. Do I have to complete the entire course in one session, or can I stop, and resume a course later?
   You may go in and out of a course as many times as you like. Once you start a test, however, you need to be prepared to finish it. If you exit prematurely, that will count as one attempt (you have a total of three attempts). If you have a problem with power or your computer and are forced to exit before you complete a test, please send an email to PIASupport@learn.net.
7. What if I have difficulty navigating a course?
   Check out Online Courseware Navigation Overview and Support for assistance.
8. If a course is filed for a certain number of hours, does that mean it will take me that long to complete it?
   Not necessarily, especially those courses that have more than 4 hours of credit.
9. Is my credit card secure?
   Yes, we have a secure site, encrypted with the highest level of security.
10. How soon will I know that I have passed?
    Results are immediate.
11. Who files my CE?
    PIA’s partner will process CE filing and/or other documents as permitted by the DOI in each state. In some cases, the states allow the provider to actually file for CE credit on behalf of the student. In other states, only the student may file for CE credit. Any and all processing that may be done by the provider is done within 24-48 business hours once any and all student requirements have been satisfied. Specific information about the filing procedures is noted clearly in the course prior to actually purchasing the exam on the rules page (you will see this page once you select the exam – you can review these rules before purchasing the exam). Students are advised to read this information closely prior to purchasing any exam. Additionally, this information is noted in the Certificate of Completion that the student receives in the mail.
12. Do I have to mail or fax anything in?
    Please refer to the instructions within the course for specifics about what needs to be sent to the provider and by what method.
13. Will I get a confirmation that my CE has been filed?
    The provider will put a certification of completion in the mail within 24-48 business hours once all student requirements have been met. If the provider was able to file the CE credit with the state on behalf of the student, the certificate of completion will note this information.
14. What if I forget the courses I have taken?
    Check My Coursework for your transcripts for all courses taken under both this program and the Professional Skills program.
15. How often are new courses added?
    New courses are added weekly. PIA National and your local PIA affiliate will periodically promote courses that have been added. However, we suggest you check back periodically to see updated listings.

Professional Skills Course F.A.Q.'s

1. Can I preview a course under this program without paying first, like I can with the CE courses?
   No. You have to pay for the course before you can open it.
2. Are these courses filed for CE?
   No. They are very useful instead for professional development.
3. How do I know the difference between Desktop courses, Business courses and Technical courses?
   After selecting your state, you will see a brief description of each category.
4. How do I choose a course?
   For complete instructions check out the Online Courseware Navigation Overview and Support web page. You can browse through the various categories and their sub-categories until you find the course that you want.
5. How many Professional Skills courses are there?
   2000, including Desktop, Business and Technical courses.
6. Why should I buy a package of courses instead of just one, especially when I am not sure about what to take in the future?
   Discount pricing is available if you purchase two or more courses. If you only want to take one course now and know you want to take more within the next 12 months, buy what you will ultimately need. The system will do the rest. It will hold "open" slots until you come back to make further selections.
7. Can I mix and match between Desktop, Business or Technical courses in a package?
   No. You can only mix Business and Technical with each other, but not Desktop with Business, or Desktop with Technical. For example, if you want 2 Desktop courses for one user, and 2 Business courses for the same user, then you should buy two packages.
8. Is there a test at the end of the course?
   Yes, and there are tests within chapters.
9. Do I have to finish a course at the same time I start it?
   No. Courses are good for one year. You may resume a course, or start over, as you wish.
10. What is the best way to find a course I have already started?
    Visit your personalized My Coursework web page to look at courses you have started and see licenses with open slots.
11. Can I transfer licenses to other registered students?
    Yes, however the license must have all of its slots open. To transfer a license please go to the My Licenses page and select the Reassign License button.