Continuing education hours for CIAO maintenance are not subject to IDOR Level & Category restrictions.

Hours may consist of examination or seminar hours.

Students may not take the same class during the same cycle.

1. Why was this program started?
   The Certified Illinois Assessing Officer Designation (CIAO) Continuing Education program was approved by the Illinois Property Assessment Institute (IPAI) Board of Directors in an attempt to increase the professionalism of designees by requiring a minimal amount of continuing education. Previously, individuals who attained a CIAO designation retained the designation for life; never having to complete any further education.
2. Does the program apply to everyone who has a CIAO designation?
   Yes. Regardless of your position, in the private or public sector, or if you qualify for reduced requirements for election/appointment/contract under 35 ILCS 200/2-45 or 3-5, you must complete the requirements to maintain the designation.
   
3. What is the easiest way to ensure that I maintain my designation, am eligible to run for election or be appointed, and receive the IDOR continuing education stipend?
   Take 30 hours each year with 15 consisting of examination hours. The courses must comply with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) Education 2000 rules and limitations.
4. How many hours do I need every cycle?
   Sixty (60) hours each cycle. Any hours completed with IPAI, IDOR or IAAO for eligibility for election/appointment or enter into a contract are included in the total of 60 hours per cycle. For example: If you take 30 hours from IPAI or IDOR in 2012 to be eligible to run for election in 2013, you only need to complete an additional 30 hours during the cycle to maintain your CIAO designation.
   
5. When does the first cycle begin and end?
   The first cycle begins January 1, 2011 and concludes on December 31, 2014.
6. What do I need to do to run for election, to be appointed or for a township or multi-township assessor enter into a contract?
   Individuals who are elected/appointed/contracted must complete the requirements set forth in 35 ILCS 200/2-45 and 35 ILCS 200/3-5. There are no changes to these statutory requirements. The only change is that designees do not retain their designation for life; they must maintain the CIAO designation by completing 60 hours of continuing education every four years.
7. What are some important dates to remember?



January 1, 2011	Cycle # 1 begins
December 31, 2014	Cycle # 1 ends - Individuals who have not completed the required hours will have their designation suspended
January 1, 2015	Cycle # 2 begins
December 31, 2015	Individuals who have not completed the required hours for Cycle # 1 will have their CIAO designation placed in inactive status; IDOR will be notified that the designation has been placed in inactive status

8. Who can I take courses from to maintain my CIAO designation?

To maintain the CIAO designation, you can take courses from the IPAI, IAAO and/or the IDOR. Credit from IPAI and IDOR courses will automatically be recorded in your record. Students taking IAAO classes must submit a copy of their certificate to the IPAI office.
9. If I complete the 60-hours will I get the Illinois Department of Revenue stipend?
   Not necessarily. If you are interested in obtaining the IDOR continuing education stipend, you must continue to follow the provisions set for the in 35 ILCS 200/4-10 and/or 4-15. This includes complying with all provisions of the IDOR Education 2000 system.
10. What types of courses can I take to maintain my CIAO designation with the IPAI?
    Any combination of courses, offered by the IPAI, IAAO or the IDOR, is acceptable for credit with the IPAI to maintain the CIAO designation. Hours to maintain the CIAO designation are not subject to the IDOR Education 2000 Program level and category limitations. In other words, you may take examination or seminar courses to complete the required 60 hours.
11. Can I re-take courses for CIAO Continuing Education credit?
    To maintain the CIAO designation with the IPAI, you can re-take classes that you have already taken as long as you do not re-take the same class in the same cycle. Special Note: This is not the case for the IDOR continuing education stipend or to be eligible for election/appointment/contract.
12. How will I know if I do not have enough hours to maintain my CIAO designation with the IPAI?
    Individuals who do not have the required hours will be notified at the end of each cycle that their designation has been suspended. They will have until the end of the next year to complete the required hours. If not completed, the designation will be revoked by the IPAI.
13. How do I get my designation back if it is placed in inactive status by the IPAI?
    Individuals who have their designation placed in inactive status may reinstate by completing the CIAO Option 1 or Option 2 program or by completing the CIAO Option 3 home-study portion.
14. If I receive my CIAO designation during a cycle, when must I begin continuing education?
    Individuals who receive their designation during a cycle are exempt from continuing education until the next cycle.

Scenarios:

I want to make sure I am eligible for election/appointment/contract to keep my CIAO in good standing. I do not care if I get the IDOR continuing education stipend. What must I do?
Take 60 hours of classes every 4 year cycle to maintain the CIAO designation with the IPAI which also includes classes to comply with pre-election and pre-appointment statutory qualifications under 35 ILCS 200/2-45 or 35 ILCS 200/3-5. For most people this means completing 30 hours of continuing education in the year prior to election/appointment/contract with 15 consisting of examination hours (make sure these hours comply with IDOR Education 2000 Program rules). Take an additional 30 hours of classes from IPAI, IAAO or IDOR during the 4-year cycle.

I want to make sure I am eligible for election/appointment/contract to keep my CIAO in good standing and receive the IDOR continuing education stipend every year. What must I do?
Take 30 hours every year with 15 hours consisting of examination. The courses must comply with IDOR Education 2000 Program rules and limitations and comply with the IPAI’s 60 hours of coursework from IPAI, IAAO or IDOR during the 4-year cycle to maintain the CIAO designation.

I am not elected or appointed. I want to keep my CIAO in good standing. What must I do? Take 60 hours every cycle. These hours are not subject to the IDOR Education 2000 Program rules and limitations.

I am not elected, appointed or contracted but want to make sure I am eligible to run, be appointed or enter into a contract in case a job opening becomes available and keep my CIAO in good standing. What should I do?
Take 30 hours every year with 15 hours consisting of examination. The courses must comply with IDOR Education 2000 Program rules and limitations and comply with the IPAI’s 60 hours of coursework during the 4-year cycle to maintain the CIAO designation.