1. Course Completion Policies
Successfully completing a course involves (1) reading/viewing/listening to the course materials, (2) passing the posttest, and (3) completing a brief course evaluation. Once these three steps are completed, you can print your certificate of credit. All test questions are presented in multiple-choice format. There is only one correct answer for each question. Successful course completion requires passing the test with a score of 80% or better.
You are allowed three attempts to pass the test. If you do not pass after three tries, the course will be removed from your account, and you will have the option of either purchasing the course again at the full price or moving on to other topics.
How long you will have to complete your course depends on your profession. For SLPs, you have until the ASHA expiration date posted in the CE Information on each course page. For everyone else, you have 3 years from purchase date to complete courses.
2. Conflict of Interest/Transparency
It is the policy of Professional Development Resources to present learning experiences that are based upon scientific research data and are purely educational and non-promotional in nature. The intent is to assure that CE offerings give a balanced view of all therapeutic options based upon scientific integrity by requiring program planners and authors to fully disclose any affiliation with any corporate organization or proprietary interest in any product, procedure, instrument, device, service, or material discussed during an educational activity. Promotional materials for each program will disclose each program planner and instructional personnel’s relevant financial and nonfinancial relationships (or no relevant financial and nonfinancial relationships) to the course content.
3. Cost, Refund/Cancelation Policy
The costs of our courses vary depending on the amount of credit hours being offered as well as the topic and learning level of the course content. The cost of each course is posted on the corresponding webpage and includes access to the course content, CE test, and certificate of completion. No additional costs are accrued in order to earn CE credit.
We do not offer preview of materials without payment; however, if you are not completely satisfied, you may request a refund for uncompleted* courses within 30 days of the date of purchase. Instant rebates and applied coupons will be deducted from the amount of your refund. (*A course is considered to be complete once the test has been submitted for grading, whether or not a passing score was achieved.)
In the unlikely event that Professional Development Resources experiences circumstances which render your course or test unavailable or inaccessible for a significant period of time (30 days or more), you will be eligible to choose one of the following:
- An extension of the date to submit your test, equal to the time during which the course was inaccessible.
- A replacement course of the same value.
- A refund, if a written request is sent to Professional Development Resources.
Email requests or questions to: [email protected]
4. Complaints and Grievances
Professional Development Resources makes every effort to assure fair treatment and product satisfaction for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems. When disputes or complaints do come to the attention of office staff, they will be dealt with promptly according to the following procedures:
- An email, phone call, or letter to the complainant by the president, CE director, or a designated representative.
- An attempt to resolve the situation to the satisfaction of the complainant by:
- A refund of tuition
- An exchange for an alternative course
- A free course
- Any other action as may be deemed necessary
To report a complaint or grievance, please email us at [email protected].
5. Professional Conduct and Nondiscrimination
Professional Development Resources is committed to maintaining a high standard of professionalism in continuing education. We expect our community to maintain these standards when representing Professional Development Resources and foster a respectful, safe, and productive work environment. To this end, employees, instructors, advisory board members, and all other representatives of our organization are expected to model professional behavior in all aspects of their work. PDR abides by the core principles of:
- Integrity – We behave honestly, ethically, and in the best interest of PDR.
- Respect – We treat colleagues, clients, and all representatives of the organization, and all representatives of the outside agencies with whom we collaborate with courtesy, fairness, and dignity.
- Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes.
- Confidentiality – We protect sensitive information and respect privacy.
- Compliance – We follow all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Professional Development Resources expects the following behaviors from employees, instructors, advisory board members, and all other representatives of our organization:
- Maintain professionalism in communication, both written and verbal.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential concerns promptly.
- Use company resources responsibly and for business purposes only.
- Foster an inclusive and harassment free workplace.
- Report misconduct or policy violations through designated channels.
Professional Development Resources does not tolerate unprofessional behavior:
- Discrimination, harassment, or bullying of any kind.
- Fraud, theft, or misuse of company assets.
- Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
- Substance abuse or being under the influence during work hours.
- Failure to respond to inquiries within a reasonable time frame.
- Obstruction of operational goals.
Acknowledgement: All employees must review, understand, and sign this policy as a condition of employment.
6. Diversity
Professional Development Resources selects instructors and develops program materials that respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.
7. ADA Accommodations
We actively comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are committed to making all of our continuing education programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please email us at [email protected] with any special requests, and we will make every effort to assist you.
8. Intellectual Property
The Intellectual Property Policy establishes the rights, responsibilities, and procedures governing the creation, use, and protection of intellectual property (IP) within Professional Development Resources. The goal is to ensure respect for the work of creators, protect company assets, and promote a culture of integrity and lawful use of materials.
This policy applies to all employees, instructors, advisory board members, participants, and other representatives of our organization involved in the use of educational materials, program, or services offered by Professional Development Resources.
Definitions
Intellectual Property (IP): Any original creation, including but not limited to course materials, manuals, videos, presentations, software, graphics, recordings, written content, logos, designs, and trademarks.
Instructor/Contributor: Any person who develops IP in the course of their duties or association with Professional Development Resources.
Participants: Individuals enrolled in courses, programs, or events.
Ownership of Company Materials
All educational content, materials, and resources developed by employees or instructors on behalf of PDR are the exclusive property of Professional Development Resources.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, instructors assign all intellectual property rights in such completed works to Professional Development Resources.
Professional Development Resources retains full rights to reproduce, adapt, distribute, and license its materials.
Instructor or Contributor Materials
Instructors or contributors who use pre-existing materials of their own (created outside their engagement with PDR) must identify and retain ownership of those materials in writing prior to use.
Where third party content is included, instructors or contributors must ensure appropriate references and citations are used and appropriate permissions or licenses are obtained.
Instructors or contributors grant Professional Development Resources a perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, and modify course materials they provide for continued educational purposes unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.
Participant Use of Materials
Participants receive limited, non-transferable license to use course materials solely for personal educational purposes.
Participants may not copy, distribute, modify, publish, or sell any Professional Development Resources materials without written consent.
Unauthorized sharing, recording, or dissemination of proprietary content or lessons is strictly prohibited.
Use of Trademarks or Branding
Professional Development Resources name, logo, and other marks are protected under trademark law and may not be used without written authorization.
Participants and instructors may not suggest endorsement or association beyond their official relationship with Professional Development Resources.
Respect of Third-Party Intellectual Property
Professional Development Resources respects the rights of all third-party creators and requires compliance with copyright, trademark, and licensing laws in all materials used or distributed.
No copyrighted works (i.e., texts, images, videos, software) may be reproduced or used in company materials without proper permission or fair use justification.
Breaches and Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, termination of agreements, revocation of course access, and/or legal remedies.
Professionals Development Resources reserves the right to remove any infringing material from its platform.
Questions and Approvals
For clarification, permissions, or reporting possible infringements, contact Gina Ulery, President and CEO.
All employees must review, understand, and sign this policy as a condition of employment. Instructors must review, understand, and sign disclosure statements for each course created for PD.
9. Record Retention
Professional Development Resources is committed to maintaining learner and personnel records securely, confidentially, and in accordance with governmental and accrediting body guidelines. This policy establishes guidelines for the systematic retention, protection, and destruction of records created or received by Professional Development Resources. This policy’s purpose is to:
- Comply with federal, state, and local legal and regulatory obligations.
- Support transparency and accountability to personnel, learners, and regulatory agencies.
- Preserve records necessary for operational continuity, audits, and historical reference.
- Safeguard confidential and sensitive information.
- Prevent accidental or unauthorized destruction or disclosure of information.
This policy applies to all employees, advisory board members, instructors, and consultants who create, manage, or access organizational records, regardless of format (paper or electronic).
Following best practices and regulatory board guidance, Professional Development Resources adheres to the following retention schedule:
Permanently
- Governing Documents: Articles of incorporation, Bylaws, IRS Determination Letter, Board Minutes, Policies
- Committee Records: Agendas, meeting materials, signed minutes
- Financial Records: General ledger, annual financial statements, audit reports
- Insurance Policies: Liability, property, worker’s compensation
- Legal Records
Seven Years
- Accounts Payable Receivable: Invoices, bank statements, deposit slips, expense reports
- Payroll and Employment Records: W-2s, I-9s, W-4s, benefit election forms
- Program and Student Records: Registration documents, transcripts, CE credit records, attendance rosters, evaluation feedback, appeals records,
- Marketing and Communications: Publications, post cards, social media archives
- Course Development Records: Needs assessment and data collection, audio/, video/text-based course materials, answer keys, course evaluations, peer review records, pilot study records, approval applications, instructor and course disclosures
- Course Completion Records: Participant test scores, certificates of completion, credit submission reports (e.g.: CE Broker and ASHA), confirmation rosters
- Complaint or Grievance Documentation
- IT and System Backups: Server backups, digital archives
Record Storage and Security
- Records may be stored digitally or physically, provided that methods ensure accessibility, integrity, and security.
- Confidential or sensitive data is stored on a secure server with restricted access.
- Cloud-based systems comply with privacy protections.
Record Destruction
When records have met their retention period and are not subject to legal hold or audit, they will be securely destroyed:
- Paper records are shredded or incinerated.
- Electronic records are permanently deleted, including from backup systems.
Responsibilities
- President and CEO oversees policy enforcement, ensures compliance, and manages record storage, retention schedules, and destruction logs.
- All staff must comply with this policy and report any concerns relating to record integrity or unauthorized disclosure.
