After Maria Sigillito, Manager, CES Compliance msigillito@aia.org talked with members who were on the 2004 CES Audit list she found that many members had completed their continuing education requirements, but they did not know they could get credit for the activities. They did not know that they can earn learning units from activities not taught by an AIA Provider just by submitting a Self-Report Form.

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 or a structured self-reported program:

• 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. 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 Program. 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.
• Professional Community Service NEW!  This type of activity could include architecture panels or community board meetings.  Members can self-report 2 hours of community service per calendar year.

To be eligible for credit, all self-reported activities must be planned educational activities that provide you with new knowledge that can be applied toward the practice of architecture. Members should complete the AIA/CES Self-Report Form and submit it to AIA/CES Records at the University of Oklahoma. Be sure to specify which type of learning activity you are reporting so the data can be entered accurately into your transcript. Title should be indicative of the program content. Members calculate LU hours for self-reported activities by reporting the number of hours spent in architecture-related learning. Think in terms of billable hours applied to learning.

To fill out a Self-Report Form:
1. Click on http://www.aia.org/ces_m_default
2. Sign in with AIA Member # on right
3. Choose Self Report Form and click Continue
4. Your Name and Member Number will be populated
5. Enter your Email Address and Phone Number
6. Enter the Program Title. Important Please Note This title must reflect what was learned. For instance One Two Button My Shoe will not work. However, One Two Button My Shoe – Retail Space Design Influence on Pedestrian Throughway Design would work. Clarity in the title results in a quicker processing time, and a shorter amount of time before the learning units are posted to the transcript.
7. Enter the Learning Units/Hours. Remember a learning unit is equal to a contact hour or one hour of research.
8. Select the appropriate Start Date and Completion Date.
9. Check the type of activity you are reporting as noted above.
10. If the activity was structured, check whether it was Health Safety Welfare (HSW). If it is HSW check the appropriate areas that apply to the program.
11. Complete the Knowledge or Skill description. This is not the place to type See Above. This is the section where What You Learned is emphasized. Clarity in the knowledge or skill description results in a quicker processing time, and a shorter amount of time before the learning units are posted to the transcript.
12. Check the resources used.
13. Check how activity/program was delivered.
14. Click Submit. You will receive an email confirmation if the Self-Report Form was successfully submitted online.
15. The AIA/CES Records Department will contact you if they need clarification.
16. The learning units will be posted within three weeks.

Please note that not all state licensing boards accept Self-Report Forms.  Check the MCE page for information.