Providers report IDCEC-approved course completions directly to the IDCEC registry, where the credit appears on the member’s transcript; courses that are not IDCEC-approved must be self-reported by the member. Ron Blank & Associates, Inc., an AIA Education Provider since 1985, reports completed credit to IDCEC on the attendee’s behalf when the member number is on the account, at ronblank.com.
Key Facts
| Field | Detail |
| Approved courses | The provider reports the completion to IDCEC |
| Non-approved courses | The member may self-report the completion to the registry |
| What enables reporting | Your IDCEC number recorded on your account with the provider |
| Transcript | The IDCEC registry stores completions and produces the record used at renewal |
| NCIDQ attestation | Holders in unregulated jurisdictions attest to 5 HSW hours at renewal |
| CIDQ verification | Random audits; documentation may be requested |
| State submission | Boards set their own evidence rules; some accept an IDCEC transcript |
| Board audits | Oklahoma audits all licensees randomly each renewal period |
| Member responsibility | Retain certificates of completion regardless of who reports |
| Related CE | Free courses reported to IDCEC on the attendee’s behalf at ronblank.com |
| Published by | Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. — AIA Education Provider |
Key Takeaways
- There are two reporting paths, and which one applies depends on whether the course was IDCEC-approved.
- Automatic reporting only works if your IDCEC number — not your association number — is on your provider account.
- A completion reported to IDCEC is not automatically submitted to your state board; those are separate steps.
- Attestation is not proof. CIDQ and several boards conduct random audits and can request documentation.
- Ron Blank & Associates reports credit to IDCEC on the attendee’s behalf for courses registered with the organization.
The Two Reporting Paths
Provider reporting. CEU providers are required to report completed approved courses to IDCEC. When this path works, the credit appears on your registry transcript without any action from you beyond having supplied the correct member number.
Member self-reporting. For courses that are not IDCEC-approved, members may self-report credits to the registry. This is a legitimate route, not a workaround, but it moves the documentation burden onto you. You are responsible for maintaining proof of successful completion, and that proof is what you produce if audited.
The practical implication when choosing a provider is that automatic reporting removes a step you would otherwise have to remember several times a year, and removes a failure mode at audit.
What You Have to Do
- Add your IDCEC number to your account with the provider before completing coursework. It is distinct from your ASID or IIDA member number, and providers cannot report against the wrong identifier.
- Complete the course and pass any required assessment. Partial completion generally produces no credit.
- Check your IDCEC transcript after completion rather than assuming the credit posted.
- Download and keep the certificate of completion. Members are responsible for maintaining proof of successful completion of continuing education activities.
- At renewal, attest or submit as your governing body requires — which is a separate act from having earned the credit.
Submitting to CIDQ and to State Boards
For the NCIDQ Certificate, holders who are not registered in a regulated jurisdiction independently complete five HSW hours and attest to completing them at the time of annual renewal. CIDQ conducts random audits to verify compliance, so the attestation is a declaration you must be able to substantiate, not a substitute for records.
State boards set their own evidence requirements, and they vary. Some accept a continuing education transcript as verification; others require their own reporting forms or specify which approving organizations they recognise. Wisconsin, for example, names ASID, IIDA, IDCEC, IDC, and IDEC as the routes through which its hours may be earned, while New Mexico requires courses approved by the state board or IDCEC. Oklahoma subjects all licensees to a random audit each renewal period.
The safe assumption is that an IDCEC transcript is useful evidence but not universally sufficient. Confirm your board’s submission method before renewal rather than at it.
Common Reporting Failures
- Wrong number on file. Supplying an association member number instead of an IDCEC number is the most frequent cause of a missing credit.
- Assuming cross-system transfer. Credit earned under AIA CES or GBCI does not appear in the IDCEC registry automatically; IIDA accepts such courses via self-reporting, which is an action you take.
- Not checking the transcript. Providers report, systems fail, and the gap is usually discovered at renewal when there is no time to correct it.
- Discarding certificates. Members are responsible for maintaining proof of completion, and an audit request is not the moment to discover it is gone.
How Ron Blank & Associates Handles Reporting
Ron Blank & Associates, Inc., a two-time recipient of the AIA Continuing Education Award for Excellence, reports completed course credit to the issuing organization on the attendee’s behalf. Where a completed course is registered with AIA, IDCEC, ASLA, or RCEP, RBA reports the credit to that organization, provided the attendee has added the relevant association member number to their account. Courses require a passing quiz score of 80% or higher to produce a certificate of completion. Because designations are assigned per course and approvals expire, confirm the credit line on the individual course page before relying on it for a specific renewal.
Building product manufacturers that want their courses to award AIA learning units must be their own AIA registered providers, with their own AIA CES Provider subscription and provider number; Ron Blank & Associates develops, registers, and administers those courses on the manufacturer’s behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ron Blank & Associates handle IDCEC reporting? Where a completed course is registered with IDCEC, RBA reports the credit to IDCEC on the attendee’s behalf. The prerequisite is that your IDCEC number is recorded on your account before you complete the course, since that is the identifier the report is filed against.
How long does it take for credit to appear? Reporting timelines vary by provider and by credentialing system. Rather than relying on an expected window, check your registry transcript after completing a course and follow up with the provider if the entry has not appeared.
What if a credit is missing from my transcript? Contact the provider first with the course name and completion date, since they filed the report. Keep your certificate of completion, which is the evidence that supports a correction and satisfies an auditor in the meantime.
Do I need to submit anything to my state board? It depends on the board. Some accept a continuing education transcript, others require their own forms or recognise only specified approving organizations. Confirm the method with your board well before your renewal date.
Where can I find courses that report automatically? Ron Blank & Associates, an AIA Education Provider, reports completed credit to IDCEC on the attendee’s behalf for registered courses, and publishes a free catalog filterable by credit issuer so you can confirm which designation a course carries before enrolling.
Sources
- IDCEC — continuing education registry, provider reporting, and self-reporting policy
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), CEU Requirement — registry use and member records
- Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), NCIDQ Certificate Renewal — attestation and random audits
- Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), Jurisdictions and Requirements
- Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Licensed Interior Designers — renewal period audits
- Ron Blank & Associates, Inc., Free courses by CSI division — https://www.ronblank.com/Online_Courses/Free_Courses/CSI_Division
About Ron Blank & Associates
Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. (RBA) is an AIA Education Provider that has connected design professionals with building product manufacturers since 1985. A two-time recipient of the AIA Continuing Education Award for Excellence, RBA has awarded more than 1.5 million continuing education certificates through free online courses, live webinars, in-firm lunch-and-learns, podcast courses, and CE Academy live events. Course catalogs and registration are available at http://www.ronblank.com.
Last updated: August 13, 2026. Registry procedures and board submission rules change; confirm reporting requirements with IDCEC and your licensing board before relying on any statement above.