When TAAD receives your registration
Confirmation will be sent to the student via email, fax or mail.  TAAD will send course materials when we 1) have received payment for the course, and 2) you have noted on your registration form that you request the materials be mailed to you prior to class.  If you will pay using a purchase order, please advise TAAD in advance. 
 
TAAD ships materials via media rate so that students receive course materials no later than two weeks prior to the course.  (NOTE: If you haven’t received your class materials by the two-week mark, please call TAAD to confirm registration.) 

If registering less than two weeks before the course, students should first call TAAD to check on availability of space in the class before sending in the registration form.  If space is available, class materials will be held for pickup at the registration table on the first morning of class.

Deadlines for registration
The deadline for registering for state certification courses is three weeks prior to the first day of the course.  Seminars and conferences may have different deadlines, so be sure to consult the registration form.

Registrations faxed after deadline
If you fax a registration form to TAAD, this constitutes an official registration and obligates you to pay for the registration. If you fax a registration seven days or less before a class, seminar or conference (too late to receive a partial refund), you are obligated to pay the full registration amount, even if you later do not attend.

For faxed registrations sent more than seven days before an education offering, the regular cancellation policy applies.

TAAD suggests caution when considering late registrations.

Before Attending Class
It’s always a good idea to review the course material prior to class.  Being prepared for class will make it a more rewarding experience for the student and will help to lessen anxiety!  Check in advance – will you need a calculator or additional publications for class?

Course Time Schedule
Registration begins at 8 a.m. on the first day of class; this is almost always a Monday.  Generally, courses start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. each day.  If in doubt, ask your instructor, because occasionally an instructor may suggest a slightly different schedule to complement the class environment.

The end of course testing schedule generally follows this pattern; however, check with your instructor at the beginning of class for specific times and review options.   

• 13-14 hour (2 day) classes end about 3 p.m. on day 2; exam follows immediately; includes Course 32
• 12-14 hour (2 day) classes end about 3 p.m. on day 2; exam follows immediately; includes Course 28
• 16-18 hour (2½ day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 2; exam is on morning of day 3; includes Course 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 30
• 21 hour (3 day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 3; includes Course 7 (exam at end of each of the three class days) and Courses 10 and 23 (exam is on morning of day 4)
• 24 hour (3 day) instructor training classes end by 5 p.m. on day 3; while there is no exam, trainees will perform teaching demonstrations; includes Course 26
• 24-25 hour (3½ day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 3; exam is on morning of day 4; includes Courses 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 25, and 27
• 32 hour (4½ day) classes end no later than noon on day 5: exam is after lunch of day 5; includes Courses 1 and  2.

End of Course Exams
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation allows up to two hours to complete the end of course exam. The exam is taken directly from the written course material and class lectures.

Class Attendance Policy
Participants must attend the course from start to finish in order to receive certification credit or continuing education credits. Participants who leave early will not receive credit. Participants who are absent from class for more than 60 minutes outside of the pre-scheduled breaks (without pre-approval by the instructor) will be asked to leave and will not receive credit. (See refund policy.)

Class Testing Policy
No electronic devices are allowed during testing, other than a dedicated calculator.

Class participants who voluntarily leave the testing room during the time the end of course exam is being conducted, without finishing the exam, will have their exam taken up by the instructor and will receive a failing grade.

Class participants who miss or fail to attend the end of course exam may petition TAAD to take the exam the next time the course is offered in Austin.  Approval will be considered on a case by case basis. 

Class Etiquette Policy
Beepers, pagers, cell phones, house phones, computers, text-messaging devices, Blackberries, PDA and other electronic devices must be turned off and only used during break(s).  Breaks are usually scheduled at least twice a day.  Please give your full attention to the instructor; do not engage in other activities during the class as failure to do so may result in the loss of certification or continuing education credits.

Suspected cheating
Any suspected instances of cheating will be reported to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What to Bring to Class
Students should bring with them:

• Student course outline (if received in advance)
• Any textbooks required for class
• A silent calculator (12-digit display)
• Your favorite writing utensils
• Light sweater or jacket, just in case

At class you’ll be asked if you wish to complete a waiver of confidentiality.  TAAD requires this if your grades are to be released to your employer.

Suggested Dress Code
Casual business attire is suitable for all courses.  Since you can’t predict the temperature of the classroom, bring a sweater or jacket if you’re concerned you’ll get cold.

Class Hours: Certification or Continuing Education?
Students must inform TAAD prior to the course whether they are taking it for certification or for continuing education (CE).

Note: Only TDLR registrants who are already certified as an RPA, RTA or RTC may take a course for continuing education.  Students working toward their certification must take the exam for credit. 

Students taking a class and seeking certification credit through another agency must notify TAAD in advance and provide any documentation materials that are to be submitted to the other agency to substantiate the student’s course completion.

Waiver of confidentiality
TAAD will not release your confidential grades unless you have signed a “waiver of confidentiality” before leaving the class.

When to expect your results
In most cases you should receive your confirmation of passing grade and course completion certificate from TAAD within a week after your end of course exam.   The same is true if you are receiving a notice of failing the course or a confirmation that you audited the course.

Reporting to TDLR

TAAD reports your passing grade (or confirmation of CE) to TDLR as soon as possible after the class is completed.  Please advise us in advance if you are on a tight schedule to complete a course for certification or recertification credit. 

Retaking an exam  
If you have already taken a course with TAAD, but did not pass the exam, you may retake the exam the next time TAAD offers that course in Austin.  For a returning TAAD student, the cost to retake the exam is $25.  If you did not take the course from TAAD, the charge to retake an exam is $50. 

Under either circumstance, we suggest you check on the course schedule so that you arrive in time to attend the final review of course materials.   

Challenging a course
Currently, TDLR has no provisions for challenging a course – that is, foregoing the class and instead taking the exam for a grade.

Replacing a lost certificate or pass letter
There is a $5 charge to replace a lost course completion certificate or to issue a duplicate “pass letter.”

Retaking an RPA Review Course  
If you have already taken a review course with TAAD, but did not pass the TDLR exam, you may retake the review course the next time TAAD offers it.  For a returning TAAD student, the cost to retake the review course is $150. 

Cancellation and refund policy
To be eligible for a refund, notice of the cancellation must be received in writing at least seven days prior to the first day of class.  A refund, less a $75 administrative fee, will be issued.  Refunds are processed after the conclusion of the class.  There are no refunds given for cancellations less than seven days before the first day of class.  No refund will be given for class materials mailed in advance or optional textbooks purchased in advance.  TAAD does not accept or re-sell previously mailed materials.

No-shows
If you have not notified TAAD in writing by seven days before class starts that you will not attend a class for which you have registered, you will be marked as a “no-show”.  There are no refunds for no-shows.

Insufficient enrollment
At least five students must register for a class in order for it to be held.  Should registration fall short of that number, TAAD will notify students approximately one week prior to the first day of class.  Full refunds will be issued to registrants.

Inclement weather
TAAD intends to offer classes as advertised.  In case of inclement weather, the decision to continue or cancel classes will be made on a case by case basis, and students will be notified immediately.

Location
For 2010, TAAD uses the North Austin/Round Rock Marriott Hotel as the site for all its state certification courses. The hotel is located at 2600 LaFrontera Blvd., Round Rock.

When making reservations, students should call 512/733-6767 or (800)865-0546 and ask for the TAAD block rate. Reservations must be made no later than three weeks prior to class to secure the rate.  TAAD cannot guarantee room availability or rates when reservations are made after this time.

It's always a good idea to review the course material prior to class.  Being prepared for class will make it a more rewarding experience for the student and will help to lessen anxiety!