DSA Academy

PRE-EXISTING DSA ACADEMY ACCOUNTS

Account profiles for any previously created DSA Academy account logins have been moved to the new LMS, except for passwords. To access the new LMS, you will need to perform a password reset. Refer to the DSA Academy Learner Guidebook linked in the Additional Information box at the bottom of this webpage and see the section titled “Pre-Existing Accounts” for detailed instructions.

NEW ACCOUNTS

Account profiles for new learners are created by the users themselves. Refer to the DSA Academy Learner Guidebook linked in the Additional Information box at the bottom of this webpage and see the section titled “New Accounts” for detailed instructions.

REGISTRATION

Course registration is completed through DGS's LMS, linked above. For additional details on registering and managing your learning, review the DSA Academy Learner Guidebook, linked in the Additional Information box at the bottom of this webpage.

ACCEPTABLE PAYMENT TYPES

• Payment by Credit Card. Our LMS collects payment by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover) or debit card. There is a convenience fee of 2.99 percent for credit/debit cards. A notification will be sent to the user's email address confirming registration is complete and payment is successful.

• Payment by E-Check. Our LMS collects payment by electronic check. There is no convenience fee for eChecks. A notification will be sent to the user's email address confirming registration is complete and payment is successful.

ACCESS COMPLIANCE

California EVCS Accessibility: Accessibility Regulations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ($0)
Continuing Education Unit (CEU): 1 AIA LU|HSW, 1 California Architects Board; 1 Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) (CBC credit). This on-demand course provides an overview of the requirements to plan for and provide accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations in California. The course was updated for the California Building Code and California Green Building Standards Code Intervening Code Cycle Supplement, which became effective in California on July 1, 2021.

Housing at a Place of Public Education ($0)

Continuing Education Unit (CEU): 3.0 AIA LU|HSW, 3.0 California Architect Board; 3.0 Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) (CBC credit). This on-demand course is an overview of Federal and State regulations, guidelines, and standards for housing at a place of education that is also public housing. Attendees will understand how to analyze and apply the CBC regulations for accessibility to projects that are newly constructed housing at a place of public education. The session will also compare the CBC to the ADA and FHA requirements for accessibility of housing at a place of public education. Lastly, attendees will understand how to analyze and apply the CBC regulations for accessibility to alterations and additions to housing at a place of public education, including path of travel improvements. 

Circulation Paths: Accessible Roues and the California Building Code ($0)

Continuing Education Unit (CEU): 1.5 AIA LU|HSW, 1.5 California Architect Board; 1.5 Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) (CBC credit). This on-demand course will cover California Building Code section 11B-250 circulation paths to understand the definition of the term and what makes up its component parts. It will also provide clarity on the requirements of a circulation path and use in relation to vehicle traffic and will cover the correct use of detectable warnings within circulation paths.  

CERTIFIED ACCESS SPECIALIST

CASp 101: Certification and Practice ($50)
CEU: 5 AIA LU|HSW; 5 California Architects Board; 5 CASp (equivalent activity credit). These webinars provide information for the Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Program, with information relevant to the CASp, examination information for candidates interested in seeking certification, or individuals who want to find out more about the CASp program.

CASp Inspection Reports According to the Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA) ($0)
Continuing Education Unit (CEU): 2 AIA LU| HSW, 2 California Architects Board, 2 CASp (California specific activity credit). This course is a resource about scoping and applicability of California and federal construction-related accessibility standards, state and federal civil rights law, and California laws affecting CASp work and work product. This course supplements the information in the Division of the State Architect’s course CASp 101: Certification and Practice. 

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY

Plan Review for Fire and Life Safety Process and Procedures – 2019 CBC and 2016 NFPA ($500)
Learn DSA's plan review process for fire and life safety requirements to ensure compliance with California's building codes. This webinar is based on the 2019 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, Volume 1 and the 2016 NFPA 13 and 72.

PROJECT INSPECTOR

DSA Project Inspector Overview ($500)
This course provides a summary of the key knowledge areas affording project inspector competency of the rules, regulations, standards, procedures, and inspection techniques associated with public school construction projects under DSA jurisdiction. DSA Newly Certified Project Inspectors (without prior project inspection experience) are required to take this course prior to any project inspection work.

DSA Recertification Seminar ($0)
This Recertification Seminar is an on-demand course. This seminar does not replace the Project Inspector Overview Course. The Seminar is designed to ensure that inspectors are sufficiently knowledgeable of changes to the California Building Standards Code and DSA administrative procedures relative to inspection. The content focuses on new and recently revised codes, reference standards, and DSA procedures. The Recertification Examination must be registered and scheduled in the DSA Academy as a event course at the conclusion of this course.

DSA Recertification Exam ($400)
The scope of the Recertification Examination will be a multiple-choice test measuring the inspector’s knowledge of new and/or revised California Building Standards Codes and administrative procedures. The registration description states "Classroom”, but it will be administered through the LMS system and Microsoft Teams. This event will not be accessible for registration until you have completed the DSA Recertification Seminar.

STRUCTURAL

Structural Plan Review ($250)
Equips participants with the essential concepts, reference materials and job aides for conducting timely, consistent, and accurate plan reviews for structural compliance.

2022 DSA Code Amendments – Structural Safety ($250)
Highlights significant changes regarding Structural Safety included in the 2022 California Building Standards Code (CCR, Title 24).

SUSTAINABILITY

Induction Cooking and the All-Electric, California Schools, Kitchen of the Future ($0)
This two-hour recorded webinar explains how a properly designed, all-electric kitchen has the potential to save labor, reduce maintenance, increase kitchen comfort, and enable more scratch cooking, while minimizing any increase in utility costs. The session includes a discussion and demonstration of induction cooking presented by Frontier Energy’s Food Service Technology Center. The live webinar was recorded on Aug. 26, 2021.

How do I register for a training?

To register online, log into the DSA Academy (Cornerstone LMS) System. Go to the Course Catalog to browse available trainings. Select a training in the Course Catalog to see the class description, delivery method, locations, dates, times, fee and training availability. Add any training you wish to take to your cart. When you are ready to check out, the LMS will then take you step-by-step through the process of finalizing your selection(s) and making your payment. 

Is there a registration deadline for DSA Academy trainings?

Registration deadlines vary between the different trainings and exams. Please view individual session details to see the registration deadlines. Fees must be paid at the time of registration.

What is included in my registration fee?

Professional training materials include electronic versions of the instructors’ presentations, exercises, and resource information. Visual aids and other training-related materials may also be utilized. 

Will I receive a training confirmation?

Yes, your training confirmation will be emailed to you at the end of the online payment process. You can also view trainings you are registered for on your Learner dashboard and on your transcript.

Will I receive a receipt for my purchase?

Yes, a receipt will be emailed to you at the end of the online payment process. In your LMS account you can also view details for any order, including transaction date, transaction ID, payment method, order status, and the details of each item purchased. Refer to the DSA Academy Learner Guidebook for detailed instructions.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

If you cannot attend a training, you must notify DSA Academy by the designated cancellation date in order to receive a full refund. Registration deadlines vary by course and exam. The DSA Academy will not issue a refund of the registration fee if you fail to attend or request to drop or cancel your registration after the designated cancellation date. To request a refund, contact DSA Academy at dsalmshelp@dgs.ca.gov.

How do I drop a training?

Refer to the DSA Academy Learner Guidebook (PDF) for detailed instructions on how to withdraw from a course.

Will my credit card be credited when I drop a training?

No, the DSA Academy is unable to credit your credit card account. If you withdrew from training and require a refund, please email dsalmshelp@dgs.ca.gov. Please reference “Refund Request” in the subject line. All refunds are processed in check form and take four to six weeks for delivery. Refunds will not be processed for on-demand courses if you have already started the course.

How will my registration fee be applied if my in-person class is postponed or rescheduled?

The DSA Academy will make every reasonable effort to notify all students as soon as possible if a class needs to be rescheduled or postponed. The DSA Academy will automatically apply class registration fees towards the revised class date, if the DSA Academy reschedules or postpones a specific class. Students, who are unable to attend the revised class date, will receive a refund. All refund requests received as a direct result of a class being rescheduled or postponed by the DSA Academy will be reviewed for consideration on a case-by-case basis only. 

What should I do if I have forgotten my password?

If you have forgotten your password, you may reset your password from the DSA Academy (Cornerstone LMS) System. You will be sent an email with a reset password link.

Will I receive proof that I attended a training?

Yes, once you fully complete a training it will appear in your User Transcript. Select “View Certificate” button next to the completed course and the course completion certificate will download to your computer.

Why does my transcript show I did not receive credit for a training?

You will not receive credit if you attended only part of the training. To receive credit for completing a training, you must attend the entire training.

Can I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for taking DSA Academy trainings?

The DSA Academy is an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES) registered provider. AIA members can earn Learning Units (LUs) by attending qualifying trainings offered by the DSA Academy.

You are required to attend the entire training to receive your Continuing Education Units.

To request AIA LUs send an email to dsalmshelp@dgs.ca.gov as soon as possible, after completing a training. DSA has a firm 10 days to report to AIA for the credit(s) to count. 

Please Note: DSA courses are not eligible for self-reported AIA credit.

To receive International Code Council (ICC), California Architects Board (CAB), Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) and American Construction Inspectors Association (ACIA) units, the student does not need to provide DSA with any information. Just keep your certificate on hand in case ICC, CAB, CASp or ACIA requires proof of attendance.

Is the DSA Academy online registration system secure?

Yes, when you enter your credit card information to make your payment, look for the padlock at the bottom of your browser indicating it is a secure connection.

How is my credit card information protected?

Your credit card information is encrypted when it is transmitted to the credit card processing company. It is not stored, printed or viewed on our local computer systems.

How do I update my contact information?

Refer to the DSA Academy User Guide (PDF) for detailed instructions on how to update your contact information.

Which training is required for DSA Project Inspector re-certification?

For current requirements for Project Inspector re-certification, visit the Apply and Maintain Project Inspector Certification web page.