Q - How long does it take to receive my card and transcript?
A - CE tests are graded one to two business days after receipt in our offices. Recertification materials are prepared and mailed the following business day. You should receive the materials 7-10 business days after they have been mailed. You can view or print your transcript online at http://www.ncctinc.com/. Sign in to your existing user account or create a new one. Your transcript is located on your User Profile page.
Q - I purchased 6 CH to renew my state phlebotomy certification. What kind of documentation do I receive?
A - You will not automatically receive documentaion of your CE completion. You can go to the NCCT website and view/print your transcript (see above). If you need an official transcript, call Customer Service at 800-875-4404.
Q - What do I do if I can't remember the courses I took last year and I can't repeat a course I have already taken?
A - When you complete your recertification requirements, you receive a transcript. Your transcript is the official record of your continuing education. You should maintain your transcript in a secure location. Refer to your transcript when selecting courses for the next recertification year to assure you do not take a course you have already completed. You can aso view and/or print your transcript from your User Profile page on the NCCT website. This page displays when you login into your User Account.
Q - What is a clock hour (CH)?
A - A Clock Hour is the actual number of hours a professional is involved in a CE activity. For example, if you are taking a 3 CH course, it should take you 3 hours to complete the course.
Q - How do you determine the number of clock hours (CH) a course is worth?
A - We determine the amount of Clock Hours for all courses by using the P.A.C.E.® formula for clock hour calculation for printed materials. This calculation is done by having an NCCT test group read the manuscript under timed conditions and using that number to calculate the clock hours according to the following formula:
(Average reading time x 1.5) + 1 minute/test question =
Clock Hours rounded down to the nearest hour or half-hour
Q - Why is there so much reading material?
A - Courses are developed to assure adequate information is presented for full discussion of the topic. As described in the question above, a 3 CH course should take 3 hours to read and complete the test.
Q - Why do I have to fill out a separate evaluation form for each P.A.C.E.® course?
A - The evaluations are designed to provide us with specific feedback for each course.
Q - I am not a phlebotomist in California. May I take a P.A.C.E.® course?
A - Yes, P.A.C.E.® courses may be taken by anyone.
Q - I think a question has more than one correct answer. What do I do?
A - Go to http://www.ncctinc.com/. Click on the Recertification/CE tab and select Updates/Revisions from the drop-down menu.
- Review the information in this section to see if the question and/or text has been revised.
- If no information is found, email conted@ncctinc.com and describe the problem.
- If you do not have access to a computer, call 800-875-4404 (8:30 AM – 5:00 AM CST (CDT when applicable) and speak with one of our Customer Service Representatives.
Q - When I open a CE course on the CD or on the website, the page is too small to read. What can I do to make it easier to read?
A - Use the Zoom button on the standard toolbar to increase the view to 100%, Page Width, or Text Width.
Q - Is a Clock Hour the same as a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) or a Contact Unit (CU)?
A - Yes and no. 1.0 Clock Hour = 1.0 CU; 1.0 Clock Hour = 0.1 CEU.
Q - Why can’t we get answers to the questions we miss?
A - Providing answers to CE tests would compromise the security of the exams.
Q - Why doesn’t NCCT offer “live” continuing education courses?
A - Beginning in late September 2008, NCCT will offer live webinars for CE credit For more information, go to http://www.ncctinc.com/ or call Customer Service at 800-875-4404.
Q - Instead of tests, why can’t we do something fun like word searches or crossword puzzles?
A - Due to the large volume of individuals taking CE tests, the tests must be able to be graded by use of a computer. At present, there is no automated method to grade crossword puzzles, etc.
Q - Why haven’t you responded to my question that I wrote you on my P.A.C.E. ® evaluation form?
A - If you use a P.A.C.E.® evaluation to ask a question, please provide us with your name and address or an email address so we can respond back to you.
Q - Why won’t NCCT accept CE credits I have taken at work or at a meeting?
A - Because NCCT cannot easily access the quality, validity, and clock hour values, we have had a policy not to accept CE provided by anyone else. However, beginning in July 2008, NCCT will accept the Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc. To the Point P.A.C.E.® approved courses from phlebotomy expert Dennis Ernst for recertification CE clock hour credit. NCCT will continue to investigate the acceptance of courses from other organizations and companies. Announcements will be made when appropriate.
Q - Why don't we have a temporary expiration date any more?
A - NCCT requests that individuals complete their recertification (renewal) requirements by their expiration date. Standards for certification and recertification do not typically endorse mechanisms for extensions, particularly when sufficient time is given for compliance.
Q - What does my recertification (renewal) payment pay for? It seems very expensive.
A - The recertification payment is $5.50 per clock hour of continuing education. NCCT believes this is a very fair and competitive cost for completion of CE. Your recertification payment provides you with products and services needed to complete your certification renewal requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- research, development, and publication of the NCCT CE courses;
- research and development for the NCCT Information Services Department to maintain databases, websites, and processes to document certification testing and CE recertification requirements, payments, transcripts, etc.;
- Continuing Education Department processes involved in printing, mailing, etc., items related to the CE recertification process; and
- overhead such as office rent, utilities, phone services, and other items related to maintaining the certification and recertification functions.