Submitting your IDP experience just got easier. In January, experience reports went from being reported in training units to training hours. Below are frequently asked questions about the change.
Why did training units become training hours?
The switch to training hours is part of the second phase of IDP 2.0. One hour of acceptable work experience equals one training hour. This makes reporting experience easier and more accurate. Experience reports can have a direct correlation to timesheets interns fill out on a regular basis.
When did training units becoming training hours?
All aspects of IDP 2.0 are effective 1 January 2010.
How many training hours equal a training unit?
Eight training hours equal one training unit.
Is the IDP training requirement the same?
Overall, the IDP experience requirement went from 700 training units to 5,600 training hours. The actual amount of experience required to complete the IDP remains the same.
When can I start entering training hours into the e-EVR?
The e-EVR was updated to reflect these changes on 4 January 2010.
What happens to the training units I already reported?
All training units currently entered in the e-EVR were converted to training hours automatically. No experience was lost.
What is the smallest denomination of training hours I can enter in to the e-EVR?
The lowest denomination of training hours the e-EVR will accept is .25 hours. The e-EVR will convert all fractions of previously entered training units. No experience will be lost.
What if my jurisdiction still requires training units?
Some jurisdictional laws and regulations may still reference training units after January 1. Although the e-EVR is in training hours from the intern and supervisor’s perspective, some of NCARB’s "behind-the-scenes" systems will continue to reflect training units, and your jurisdiction will still be corresponding with NCARB in terms of training units. To avoid confusion, please be aware if you are referencing training hours or training units when corresponding with NCARB or your jurisdiction.
What happens if an experience report is submitted in training units after the e-EVR has been switched to training hours?
If an intern realizes the mistake before it has been approved by a supervisor, the supervisor can select “return for edits” in the e-EVR and the intern may change the report to reflect training hours. If the supervisor has already approved the report, the intern should contact NCARB Customer Service at 202/879-0520 or here.
How will supplementary education be affected by the switch from training units to training hours?
Previously entered supplementary education will be converted in the e-EVR the same way as all other experience—one training unit equals eight training hours. All supplementary education except AIA learning units will maintain this conversion after the switch to hours.
For example:
- NCARB Professional Conduct Monograph: 16 training hours (2 training units)
- LEED AP: 40 training hours (5 training units)
- Post-Professional Degree: 936 training hours (117 training units)
One AIA learning unit (LU) will equal one IDP training hour. Credits for AIA learning units are based on the day the credit is earned. Examples of learning units earned on or after 1 January 2010:
- 1 AIA learning unit (LU) equals 1 IDP training hours
- 2.5 AIA learning units (LUs) equal 2.5 IDP training hours
Will the IDP Workbook be available?
Yes, an IDP Workbook is available reflecting this change.
Will the IDP Guidelines be updated to reflect this change?
Yes. The January 2010 IDP Guidelines became available in December 2009.