If your chapter is planning to host virtual meetings in the coming weeks, be sure to follow the guidelines for the APA’s Local Chapter RCH Program. Follow the guidelines below to ensure your chapter is meeting the requirements for RCH approval in a virtual environment.
Web-Based Training Requirements
- Internet based programs must have a live instructor while the program is being presented.
- Program participants must be able to interact with the live instructor while the course is in progress (including the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers during the presentation).
- Once a web-based program is recorded or archived for future presentation, it will continue to be considered a live web-based program only when a live subject matter expert is facilitating the recorded presentation.
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Monitoring the participation of attendees is required. Delivery of the web-based training must include monitoring to verify that attendees are participating during the duration of the course.
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The monitoring system must be frequent (at least every 10 - 20 minutes) and cannot be predicted by the participants (ex: interactive poll questions). This is to assure that participants are engaged in the training throughout the training event. If polling questions are used, at least three poll questions must be used within a 60-minute time frame.
- Records of attendance showing the title and date of the internet-based training event, the name of attendees, email address, and their responses to polls or other monitoring mechanisms must be retained by the chapter for a minimum of six years.
On-Demand Training Requirements
- Each online course or recorded webinar participant must satisfactorily complete an online assessment tool (quiz, etc.) in order to obtain certificate and credit.
- To provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the course, chapters offering web-based programs must require participants to successfully complete a final examination with a minimum passing grade of at least 80%, a letter grade of “B” or course 3.0 GPA before issuing RCH credits.
- Final examinations must be performed in a secured and/or proctored method. Description of the test delivery method must be submitted for review to the APA.
- Generally, we recommend at least exam 10 questions to determine if the student comprehends the educational content presented.
For more information about the APA’s local chapter RCH program and how to earn RCHs for virtual meetings, read pages five through six in the Chapter RCH Guide. If you have any questions on RCH approval for chapters, please contact the APA’s Certification Department at RCHchapter@americanpayroll.org.
