Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding classes: 

1. I am coming from another state and am applying for an Iowa license. The Board of Educational Examiners said I have to take Human Relations and I-Learn (Exceptional Learner).  Do you have these classes and when are they offered?
   The Human Relations class is offered at various times throughout the year. The I-Learn class is offered as part of the summer curriculum. You can view the class schedule by visiting the Professional Development Catalog on the Heartland website. The catalog is updated as classes are scheduled.

2. I need to cancel out of a class, what do I do?  What is your cancellation policy?
   Registration Canceled By Participant Prior to Beginning of an Activity: To cancel an activity registration, please contact Heartland Professional Development at 515-270-0405 x14701 or 800-255-0405 x14701. Two options are available: (1) the registration fee will be refunded to you less a $10.00 cancellation fee or (2) the registration fee may be transferred to another activity. Additional fees due for a new activity must be received before the registration will be transferred. Fee differences owed by Heartland AEA will be refunded to the payer.

   Activities Canceled By Heartland AEA: Occasionally Heartland finds it necessary to cancel an activity. Registered participants will be notified immediately and the full registration fee will be refunded to the payer.

   Requests to Drop An Activity: If, after attending the first class, a participant decides to drop the activity, he or she must contact Heartland Professional Development. If Heartland AEA is notified of the drop prior to the end of the activity, two options are available: (1) the registration fee will be refunded to you less a $10.00 cancellation fee or (2) the registration fee may be transferred to another activity. Additional fees due for a new activity must be received before the registration will be transferred. Fee differences owed by Heartland AEA will be refunded to the payer. If notification to drop is not made prior to the end of the activity, the registration will be treated as non-attendance and the registration fee will be forfeited.

   Non-Attendance of an Activity: If, prior to the end of the activity, Heartland Professional Development is not notified of the intent to drop the activity, the registration fee will be forfeited. It is not the policy of Professional Development to issue refunds to non-attending students since other potential students on the class waiting list have been denied the opportunity to enroll.

   Waiting List: If you are on the waiting list for an activity and are not notified that a space is available, a full refund will automatically be issued after the activity is completed. Prior to the end of the activity, two options are available: (1) a full refund of any fees paid may be requested or (2) the registration fee may be transferred to another activity. Additional fees due for a new activity must be received before the registration will be transferred. Fee differences owed by Heartland AEA will be refunded to the payer.

3. What do I need to do to renew my license or authorization (standard, substitute authorization, paraeducator)?
   Click here for renewal information for my Standard License
   Click here for renewal information for my Substitute Authorization
   Click here for renewal information for my Paraeducator Certificate
   Click here for renewal information for my Coaching Authorization

4. Can you give me information on how to become a substitute?
   Click here for information regarding Substitute Authorization

5. When will the spring/summer/fall coaching classes be available for registration?
   Our online catalog is updated as classes are approved through Heartland.

6. When will the spring/summer/fall substitute authorization classes be available for registration?
   Our online catalog is updated as classes are approved through Heartland.

7. When will the spring/summer/fall paraeducator classes be available for registration?
   Our online catalog is updated as classes are approved through Heartland.

Questions regarding transcripts:

1. When will transcripts be sent for the class I completed?
   Heartland Area Education Agency will send two official transcripts to each participant who successfully earns license renewal credit, after the course has been closed by the instructor and verified by our office.  The transcript will list all of the courses completed in the last five years.  It is our hope that this will make recordkeeping and renewing educator licenses a much easier process.  Heartland's transcript will not indicate the graduate credit earned.

2. I've lost my transcripts from a class I have taken from Heartland. How do I obtain a new one?
   For a $10 fee, Heartland will provide you with two official transcripts showing your complete Professional Development history with Heartland AEA. Heartland does not provide duplicate copies of transcripts for individual classes.  Please click here to view your course history and verify all information. To pay online with a Visa or MasterCard, click on "Request a Transcript" at the bottom of your Enrollment History page.  If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you must submit your request by mail or in person.  Click here ^{_{( 24kB)}} for a printable Transcript Request Form.

3. When will I receive my transcript for graduate credit?
   Drake University will issue official transcripts following the completion of the coursework.  To check on the status of your transcript or request an official transcript from Drake, call 515-271-3091 or
   1-800-44-DRAKE, Ext. 3091

Questions regarding credit options:

1. I am already registered for a course.  How can I change my credit option?
   If you are changing to a credit option with a higher fee, click here for directions for paying with a credit card or check.
   If you are changing to a credit option with a lower fee, you must contact Professional Development at 515-270-0405 or 1-800-255-0405, Ext. 14701.
   You will have until the last day of the class to change credit options.

Questions regarding registration in a class:

1. I get an error message when I tried to use my credit card.  Now what do I do?
   If the error message states that your security code is incorrect, please try entering the security code again. The code is provided on the screen; it is not the code on the back of your credit card.  If you are receiving any other type of error, please contact Carol Naylor at 1-800-255-0405 ext. 14443.

Questions regarding online mandatory/non-mandatory trainings:

1. When did I take Mandatory Reporter Child and Dependent Adult Abuse?
   The completion date of the Mandatory Reporter can be found on your copy of the Certificate of Completion. This certificate is valid for five years from the date of completion. If you have lost your copy of the certificate, please click here to access your record and to order a complete transcript.  If you completed Mandatory Reporter after June 1, 2011, you will need to Request an AEA PD Online Transcript.  If you completed the Mandatory Reporter prior to June 1, 2011, you will need to Request a Transcript.
   To order a transcript:
   Begin on the Heartland homepage at www.aea11.k12.ia.us
   1. Click on Professional Development under the Home tab
   2. Click on Order Transcripts
   3. Please sign in by entering your name, your Login ID, and your passcode; and then click "Log In" (If you have not created a passcode, enter eduCation2010 as your passcode. You will be able to create your own passcode on the next page.)
   4. Next please verify or correct your personal information and click "Continue" this will take you to your Enrollment History page
   5. On your Enrollment History page, click on "Request a Transcript" button. (Please note that your AEA PD Online courses are on a separate transcript from your Heartland courses and cost $10 each.)
   After you click the "Request a Transcript" button, you will be able to pay with a credit card (MasterCard or Visa) online or print a registration form to mail in with your payment.

2. I need to take an online training and I don't have the correct password. Where do I get this password?
   If you are currently an employee of a school district in the state of Iowa, please contact your school district or servicing AEA to obtain the password for your district.  If you are not an employee of a school district, you will access the training as a Pay Customer and will be asked to pay $25 upon completion of the training in order to receive a certificate.

3. I did not receive a certificate for the OSHA training I took online.  When will that be mailed to me?
   Certificates of Completion are no longer printed and mailed by Heartland for the OSHA trainings. You are able to print your own certificate.

4. How do I print off the certificates for trainings?
   You may access these certificates for up to one year and print at any time from any computer. Please click here for printing instructions.