Academic Policies

Transferring From Exam to Seminar or Seminar to Exam:

There is no charge to transfer from the exam section of a course to a seminar, or from the seminar section to an exam of the same course. Students transferring from seminar to exam after the course has already begun may be required to take their exam online for an additional fee.

 

Transferring From One Course to Another:

Before registration for a course closes, students may transfer from one course to another by logging on to their profile in the IPAI Student Portal. No transfers are allowed once the course has begun.

After registration for a course closes, students will be assessed a $100 administrative fee. Contact the IPAI Registrar to make the transfer.

 

Cancelling Course Registration:

Before registration for a course closes, students may cancel their registration by logging on to their profile in the IPAI Student Portal. If students have already paid for the course, they may request a refund or credit voucher to be used at a future date by completing the “Course Coupon Voucher and Refund Request” form. A link to this form is included in your cancellation confirmation e-mail.

After registration for a course closes, students may immediately transfer their registration to another course or request a credit voucher for a future course. Both an immediate transfer and a credit voucher will incur an additional $100 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after registration closes. No transfers are allowed once the course has begun. Contact the IPAI Registrar to transfer to another course or with questions about requesting a credit voucher.

A student with a verifiable emergency should contact the IPAI office as soon as possible to discuss their options. If you do not show up for a course, you will not receive a refund or credit voucher. Registration generally closes one week before the start of a course, but deadlines do vary from course to course. Students should check the IPAI Student Portal or IPAI website for exact registration deadline dates.

 

Course Refunds and Coupon Vouchers:

Students cancelling a course before the registration deadline may request a refund or course coupon voucher to be used at a future date by completing the “Course Coupon Voucher and Refund Request” form. A link to this form is included in your cancellation confirmation e-mail.

 

Attendance Policy:

Students must attend 90% of the class hours to achieve the full number of educational hours offered for the course. Anything less than 90% attendance will result in zero hours of credit with no refund. The instructor will take attendance at least twice each day of instruction. Students may not leave until dismissed by the instructor. Online students must have their camera on during all sessions and seated at their computer.

 

Exam Conduct:

Use of course books, notes, or smartphones during exams are not allowed. You may use your own calculator, but calculators on smartphones are not allowed. The IPAI has a limited number of calculators at in-person exams that are first come, first served. No. 2 pencils must be used on all exams. The IPAI will provide you with a pencil. See the “Online Testing” page of our website for a complete list of policies governing online exams.

 

Exam Times:

At State Conference and regional conferences: Examinations are conducted the morning of the third day of a course. These dates typically fall on a Friday. For full-week conferences, students who take an exam class on Monday-Tuesday and are registered for an additional class Wednesday-Thursday, must plan to take the exam Friday morning or online. Students will not be permitted to enter their classes late due to taking an exam.

At standalone workshops, in-person qualifying courses, and all virtual courses: All exams for these course offerings must be taken online through our third-party vendor, Test.com. For more information and a full list of online testing policies and fees see the “Online Testing” page of our website.

 

Exam Results & Course Credit:

Exam results or seminar course credit will be posted to the Student Portal within seven business days after the conclusion of a course. Students must achieve a passing grade of 70% or greater for credit. Exam results will not be given over the phone or until a course is paid for in full.

 

Failed Exam and Re-takes:

If you fail an exam (score less than a 70%), you may request a re-take ($50 fee applies). Exam re-takes must be completed within one month of the last day of the course and must be done online unless other arrangements have been made with the IPAI Registrar.

If a student taking a course for continuing education fails the exam a second time, they will automatically receive seminar credit for the course. No further re-takes will be allowed.

CIAO Candidates are required to pass an exam for each course to obtain their designation. Any CIAO Candidate failing their exam on the second attempt must retake the entire course for the full course and testing fees. Seminar credit will not be awarded to CIAO Candidates failing a course on the second exam attempt, including elective courses.

 

IDOR Reporting:

The IPAI will report your successful completion of a course to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). Students should not do this on their own.

 

Student Conduct:

Students are expected to be active class participants. Mobile phones should be placed on vibrate, silenced, or turned off. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and any student disrupting the class will be asked to leave without refund or course credit.

 

Online Test Proctoring:

Please see the "Online Testing" page for a full list of policies and fees.

 

Special Accommodations:

The IPAI is committed to ensuring students with disabilities and special circumstances are able to participate in our courses. All reasonable requests for accommodation will be considered. All accommodation requests must be approved by the Executive Director. A completed request form and accompanying documentation must be submitted at least one month prior to the course for which the request will accommodate.

Accommodation Request Form

 

Sign up for our E-newsletter: