Frequently Asked Questions/Online Help Click any question below to view the the answer!
1. Are the PDH credits awarded by PDH Center through PDHonline.com/PDHcenter.com/PDHonline.org recognized by the various state boards of registration for PE & PLS?
2. How does your continuing education program work?
All PDHonline courses
are designed with a clear purpose and objective to maintain, improve, or
expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee's field of practice.
Courses offered by PDH Center are state-of-the-art in the field of
engineering and surveying. Each lecture is supplemented with new learning materials
including links to additional resources and a quiz to help the attendee earn professional
development hours (PDH units).
3. How does your live webinar program work?
Through live webinars, we deliver our instruction to your home or office. Therefore, you do not need to travel. However, you need to have a computer with Internet connection and/or a telephone to participate.
4. How do I take an online course?
Because it is not necessary to study the course materials online immediately after purchase, there are three methods you may use to take an online course.
5. How much time will I be allowed to complete a course?
You have one year from the date of purchase to complete the course.
6. How much time do I have to complete a quiz?
There is no time limit while you take the quiz. If you can't finish the quiz in one session, that's okay because our server will remember your partially completed quiz for 30 days as long as you are using the same browser and computer. However, you must complete the quiz within one year from the date of purchase.
7. Do you have a shopping cart?
Yes, we do.
You may also use our course package deals to achieve just one payment transaction for a group of courses:
8. How do I pay for the online courses?
9. Why didn't my credit card transaction go through?
Online credit card transaction failure could be caused by one of the following reasons:
To resolve this issue, you need to enter the correct card code (the last 3 digits on the back of your credit card or the 4 digits in small print above your American Express card numbers.
To resolve this issue, you need to contact your credit card company to ask them to remove any restrictions they have placed on your credit card (they can do so instantly within their systems). Then you can re-submit your transaction online.
10. How do I know my credit card transaction is secure?
Our online ordering system uses the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
technology powered by the credit card processors Authorize.net or PayPal.com
to encrypt the information you send us when you place your order. The transaction
information is encrypted on your computer, sent through the Internet as scrambled
code, and decrypted on the credit card processor's secure server. Therefore, your credit card
information is secure and cannot be read in transit.
11. How do I convert a CEU to a PDH or an LU?
1.0 CEU (Continuing Education Unit)
= 10 PDHs or 10 LUs.
12. How much do online courses cost?
The standard price of our online course ranges from $15 to $30 per credit hour.
Special discounts are available during promotional events. Group discounts
are also available to any company with four or more engineers and/or surveyors
who must meet continuing education requirements and register as
PDHonline users. To receive a special group discount, please contact us through email
or at 571-295-4410 for details.
13. How can I get a receipt for my purchase?
We will send you a receipt through email once we receive your online payment
or check payment. You may also print a payment receipt at any time from "My Account".
14. How can I get an additional certificate of completion?
You may print certificates of completion for the courses you have taken
from "My Account" (on the top menu bar).
15. How can I retrieve my password?
You may retrieve your password by using the "Forgot
Your Password?" feature on our home page or on the user login screen.
16. How can I retrieve my password if I cannot access the previous email address or my previous email address has expired?
By entering your previous email address through the "Forgot
Your Password?" feature on our website, you will receive a strong hint about your password. If that is still insufficient for you to recall your password, you may log into your account with your security question if it has been set up previously.
17. How can I get a complete record of the courses I have taken from your website?
You may obtain a complete record of the courses you have taken with us from "My
Account" (on the top menu bar).
18. How can I contact the instructor?
You may contact the instructor through email.
In your email, please include the instructor's name and course number, and be specific about the issues you would like to discuss. Due to the large number of email inquiries we receive, our instructors will normally respond to paid users only.
19. How can I get a copy of the PDHonline course catalog?
We offer digital catalogs only. You may print a copy of the PDHonline
course catalog from "Courses"
on the top menu bar.
20. How can I update my personal profile or email address?
You may update your personal profile or email address through "My
Account" or when you purchase a course.
21. How may I become a PDHonline course provider?
If you are interested in becoming a PDHonline course provider, you should submit
a resume, a brief biography, and a list of proposed course topics to our email address.
We will review your educational background and practical experience, and will
notify you of our decision within three business days. For more information,
please click "Provider"
on the top menu bar.
22. How many questions are in each quiz?
The number of quiz questions varies from course to course. There are a minimum of 10 quiz questions in each course offering less than 5 PDH credits, and a minimum of 20 quiz questions in each course offering more than 4 PDH credits. For courses approved by the Texas Land Surveying Board, there are 50 quiz questions for each course to meet the TX PLS Board requirement.
23. Why can't I enter the PDHonline Course Library after I complete the registration?
Your web browser's
cookie function may be disabled or your web browser is an old version. To access
PDHonline's personalized web pages, you need to turn on the cookie
function in your web browser per instructions below.
If enabling the cookie function in your browser does not eliminate the problem and your web browser is not the latest version, we recommend you to download the latest Google Chrome or download the latest Microsoft Edge or download the latest Mozilla Firefox.
24. Why can't I log in using my email address (user ID) and password?
This problem could be caused by one of the following reasons:
1. Your computer memorized a different password for the corresponding email address. In this case, do not use the password memorized by your computer. Instead, type in your password. Please note that the password is case-sensitive. 2. If you do not remember your password or are not sure what password you used before, you may request your password by using the "Forgot Your Password?" feature on our website. If you do not receive your password within five minutes, please check your junk or spam email folders. Sometimes, valid emails could land in these folders. 3. Maybe you are using an old version of a browser. If you used Firefox, you may want to try Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to see if you can log in using a different browser. 4. The other possible
cause is that your web browser's cookie
function may be disabled. To test if your computer can communicate with our server, you may try to log into our website using the following dummy account:
25. Why can't I open the PDF files on your website?
This could be caused by one of the following reasons:
26. Why can't I access the course or quiz after online payment?
Occasionally, our server may miss communication from our payment gateway. If you
cannot access the quiz or course materials after online payment, please notify
us through "Contact Us"
or call us at 571-295-4410. Once we receive your notification, we will activate
the quiz or course for you, and send you an email confirmation about the
quiz or course activation.
27. Why do you have several almost identical websites?
To provide the highest quality service
with the least interruption, we operate several mirror sites for the convenience
of our valued customers. PDHonline.com, PDHonline.org, PDHcenter.com, and
PDHcenter.org
are just some of the websites maintained by our organization. If you
have difficulty accessing one of our websites, please try to access another
one. All of our online courses are available through any of the above websites.
You may use the same user ID and password on any of our websites.
28. What are the advantages of taking online courses?
Taking a PDHonline course is
In short, taking online courses is more convenient, more efficient, and more economical than attending seminars or conferences. In addition, we offer live interactive webinars to help licensees in New York, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio meet their continuing education needs.
29. What happens if I miss a live webinar session?
You will be automatically enrolled in the next session. Most of our webinars are offered once every three to four months. Please check our website for specific webinar schedules.
30. What computer system and software do I need to view online courses?
You need the following computer system and software to view online courses:
Computer: PC with Windows, Apple Mac, tablets, and smartphones Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 10, Android or Mac OS/OS X Web Browser: Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later is required because most of our course materials are provided in PDF format. Click the button below to download the latest version of FREE Acrobat Reader if you don't have one.
31. What is the passing score for PDHonline quizzes?
40. Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Group discounts are available to any company with four or more engineers and/or surveyors who must meet the continuing education requirements. To receive a special group discount, please contact us through email or at 571-295-4410 for details.
41. Do you share my contact information with anyone?
No. Information about you is required to process your orders and will only be used to provide a more personalized experience during your learning sessions. PDHonline.com/PDHonline.org/PDHcenter.com/PDHcenter.org respects your personal privacy. We will not release your name, address, telephone number or email address to anyone without your consent.
42. Do you accept all major credit cards?
Yes. We accept all major credit cards through Express Checkout or PayPal.com. You need to choose Express Checkout if you want to use American Express corporate cards or Discover Cards.
43. Do you offer correspondence courses?
Yes. You may call 571-295-4410 to place your order. There
is a shipping and handling fee for each correspondence course. So it is more cost-effective if you can download/print the course materials directly from our website on your end.
44. Do you offer live seminars?
Yes, we offer live web seminars (webinars) through the Internet for certain topics. You can attend our webinars from your home or office using a computer, a tablet or a smartphone.
45. Do you offer courses on Florida Board Laws and Ethics?
For FL PE: Yes. Please check out our Florida Approved Courses for PE.
46. Do you offer audio courses?
Yes. We have several audio courses available under Electrical Engineering and Ethics Categories. You may download them for your personal use only. We do not offer audio courses for rental.
47. Do you offer video courses?
Yes. We offer video courses through streaming. Please click "On-Demand Video Courses" for details.
48. Which states have mandatory Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) requirements?
Currently, forty-three states and the District of Columbia require evidence of Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) or Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) as a condition for renewal of the individual's professional license. Most other states are expected to follow suit in the near future.
49. Is one PDH unit equal to one hour of continuing education (one contact hour)?
Yes, one PDH (Professional Development Hour) is equal to one hour of continuing education or one contact hour. See the table below for typical conversion from other continuing education activities to PDH: CONVERSION
TABLE
50. Where can I get answers to other questions about continuing education?
The following state boards of registration for PE and PLS provide answers to FAQs or supply detailed
information regarding continuing education on their websites:
51. Can I access online courses from any computer after the purchase?
Yes. As a matter of fact, you may access your courses using any computer or smartphone from anywhere around the world.
52. Why can't I find my previous PDH course purchase or completed course records in My Account?
This may be because you have more than one account with us. If your email address has changed, you should still use the old email address and the associated password to access your previous account information. If you would like to combine your records from two accounts, please provide us with your old and new email addresses through "Contact Us" or call us at 571-295-4410.
53. Why can't I receive the password I requested through your website?
Our server sends out your password immediately upon your online request. If you have not received your password through email, please check your junk or spam email folder if applicable. If it is not there or you do not have a junk email folder, please check your email filter setting. Some email systems may block emails from senders not listed in the contact list (whitelist).
54. Can I receive credits if I forgot to enter the coupon code at the time of online purchase?
No. Our office policy requires that all coupon codes be entered at the time of online purchase because we do revenue sharing with our course providers in real-time. Thank you for your understanding.
55. Can I get a refund for my purchase?
As a registered user, you may preview almost all of our courses prior to the purchase. To protect the interest of our course authors, we'll refund your payment only if the course is not accepted by your state board. If you have not completed the quiz, you may request a course exchange if you find the course is not suitable for you. In this case, please send your request through "Contact Us" or call us at 571-295-4410.
56. Can I use the coupon code for multiple courses?
Yes. You may apply the coupon code to all of your purchases as long as the code has not expired. You need to enter the coupon code in Step 2 of the payment process for each course.
57. Can I share my discount coupon code with my colleagues?
Yes. You may share the coupon code with your colleagues and friends.
58. Do you have an introductory promotional offer for the first time PDHonline users?
Yes. As part of our
ongoing 22nd Anniversary celebrations, first-time users may receive a 25% discount on their purchase. Just enter the following coupon code in Step 2 of the payment process at the time of online purchase:
59. Are your courses acceptable to the Pennsylvania PE & LS Board?
Yes, our courses are acceptable to PA Board as long as they maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of your professional practice. You need to complete 24 credits (PDHs) by the September 30 renewal date (odd year).
PA State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists eNewsletter (June 9, 2010) BOARD CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) GOES INTO EFFECT FOR 2009-2011 RENEWAL CYCLE 24 CREDITS MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPT. 30, 2011 THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO GRANT A MORATORIUM FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION PROVIDED ANY CE CREDIT DEFICIENCIES ARE COMPLETED BY APRIL 1, 2012. In its e-newsletter sent May 14, the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists attempted to update licensees on the upcoming requirements for mandatory continuing education (CE) to be set forth in regulations of the Board. THAT INFORMATION IS NOW OUT OF DATE AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. This special mailing is intended to provide licensees with the most current information concerning mandatory continuing education. Please accept our apologies for any confusion that may have resulted. On May 12, the legislature enacted and Governor Rendell signed into law Act 25 which amended the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law (the Law) to clarify the requirements for mandatory continuing education and to make it easier to meet your requirements and to provide more choice in CE courses, seminars, workshops and conferences. Act 25 specifically eliminated the need for the board to pre-approve CE courses. Now, the board CE requirements are based upon the provision of the model law and rules of the National Council of Examiners in Engineer and Surveying (NCEES), which is the national organization of licensing boards. This change in the Law expands the number of CE courses and activities that will be acceptable for credit. In addition, Act 25 specifies that the first CE cycle of 24 credits must be completed, no ifs, ands or buts, by the Sept. 30, 2011 renewal cycle. This is a change from the prior directive. But the board has come up with a way to smooth the transition for you so that no one is disadvantaged or is unfairly disciplined for any CE deficiencies that may result from confusion over the CE deadline. In order to accommodate licensees who are just now learning of this deadline, the board has decided to grant a moratorium from disciplinary action for anyone who has not completed the 24 CE credits by the Sept. 30, 2011, renewal date provided any and all CE credits short of the mandatory 24 are completed by April 1, 2012. If you fail to make up the CE deficit by the April 2012 deadline, you will be facing disciplinary action and you will not be permitted to double count CE earned after the September deadline for the following renewal cycle. The best course of action is to begin doing your CE today. Any CE credits that you have earned as far back as Oct. 1, 2009, will be acceptable at the time of renewal.
60. Where can I enter the coupon code?
You need to first click on "Buy Now" or "Proceed to Checkout" and then enter the coupon code in Step 2 of the payment process at the time of online purchase. You may use the coupon code multiple times before its expiration unless noted otherwise.
61. Do you report to the Florida Board?
Yes, we currently submit periodic reports to the Florida Professional Engineers (PE) Board for the Florida Laws and Rules course and to the Florida Professional Land Surveyors (PLS) Board for courses with numbers ending in the suffix F.
62. Are all PDHonline courses acceptable to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS)?
Although we are a NCBELS-approved sponsor for continuing education of engineers and land surveyors, NC Board does not automatically accept all of our courses. As an NC licensee, you must choose courses that will result in the maintenance, improvement, or expansion of skills and knowledge relevant to your field of practice. In particular, the following types of courses or activities are not acceptable for CPC credit in North Carolina:
63. How can I buy multiple courses in one transaction?
You may use our shopping cart to purchase multiple courses in one transaction. Another option is to combine your courses and purchase a PDH Course Package (Z-Course), which enables you to make one payment for all of your courses and receive a volume discount. You may find PDH Course Package Deals in the right-hand side column of the PDH Online Course Library table or through the following link:
64. How long does it take for you to activate my course after payment?
Usually, our course activation is instant upon your online payment. Occasionally, our server may miss communication with our payment gateway, and you may not be able to access the quiz immediately after the payment. In this case, please email us your payment receipt, and we will activate your quiz manually. If time is of the essence, you may go ahead to make the same purchase again and notify us that you have made duplicated payments. We will issue a full refund to your credit card for your duplicated payment on the following business day.
65. How do you determine the date of completion?
The date of completion for a course is the date you successfully complete the quiz, and is based on your time zone. Our server clock follows Eastern Time. If you are located in another time zone and you completed your course before midnight your local time, we can adjust the date of completion for you upon your request.
66. Can I view your sample certificate?
Yes, please click the sample certificate of completion for details.
67. What can I do if I cannot make a payment through your Express Checkout?
If you experienced a problem with our Express Checkout, you may do one of the following:
68. Do you offer Timed & Monitored Online Courses for Ohio PE & LS?
Yes, please click Ohio Approved Courses for PE & LS for details. The following notice is posted for your information so that you know the difference between a Correspondence Course (e.g. an online course) and a Timed & Monitored Course (e.g. a live webinar):
69. I am taking a Timed & Monitored Course, but the on-screen clock stopped. How do I restart the clock?
You may resume your clock by pressing F5 key on your keyboard or by refreshing your screen. Please note that for T&M courses, You need to actively view course content online - at least click your mouse once in a while. The on-screen tracking clock will stop if there is no activity for 10 minutes at your end.
70. Are you an AIA/CES Registered Provider?
Currently, PDHonline.com / PDHonline.org is NOT an AIA/CES Registered Provider.
71. Do you offer discounted course packages?
Yes, we offer many course packages of different sizes. You may find them (Z-courses) in the PDH Course Package Deals. If you could not find the answer to your question, please send your question through "Contact Us". |