Registering for Courses
Q: Are there any requirements before I can register for a Webcast, Webinar,
or On-Demand Video?
In order to register for and take PBI Online Courses, you will need to have a PBI online account. If you do not
already have an online account, please visit the Create New Account page.
Please note in order for PBI to report credits to PACLE you will need to select Attorney or
Judicial Law Clerk under the Job Title section of the Create New Account page..
Q: Can I register multiple people for a course via your online catalog?
Our online catalog does not allow for the registration of multiple people for a course. Our Customer Service
department will be happy to help you out: call 800-932-4637, or email info@pbi.org.
Q: Does PBI offer scholarships?
We do. Check our Scholarships & Discounts page for more info.
ProPass
Q: How do I register for classes using ProPass?
To register for courses using ProPass, please start by signing in to your account.
If you know the title of a course you wish to register for you may use the Enter Search Keywords field and Search button at the top of the page.
You may also browse courses under On-Demand or Live. If you’d like to filter this list by Practice Area, CLE Credits and/or Month/Year you may use the Narrow Results panel on the left side of the page.
Click on the title of a course or View Details to read more about the course and register. Courses included with ProPass will indicate “Included with your subscription” next to registration option(s).
To register, click on the applicable Registration Option and then click the Register button. Please continue to follow the prompts until you reach the Order Confirmation page.
Once confirmed, the course can then be accessed in your Electronic Library.
When does my ProPass expire?
To check the status of your ProPass subscription you may visit the Subscriptions page under Your Account after signing in.
Accessing Your Courses
Webcasts, Webinars, On-Demand Videos, and electronic publications are all accessible through your Electronic Library.
Q: How do I access the Webcast I registered for?
To access a Webcast on the date of the course, click here to access your Electronic Library. You
will be asked to sign in using your email address and password if you are not already signed in, then you will
be directed to your Electronic Library.
You may also access your Electronic Library by clicking the Sign In button in the upper
right-hand corner of
the screen. (This button might also say Your Account if you are already signed into your account.) Sign into
your account using your email address and password.
Once signed in, you will be taken to Your Account home page. Here, click the link that reads "Electronic
Library."
In your Electronic Library, you will see the webcast that you purchased. Click the title of the webcast and on
the next page you will see a "Launch Live Webcast!" button. Clicking that button will launch the webcast in a
new window. (Note: the launch button will be active 30 minutes prior to the start of the course.)
Q: How do I access the On-Demand Video I registered for?
To access an On-Demand Video that you've purchased, click here to access your Electronic Library. You
will be asked to sign in using your email address and password if you are not already signed in, then you will
be directed to your Electronic Library.
You may also access your Electronic Library by clicking the Sign In button in the upper
right-hand corner of
the screen. (This button might also say Your Account if you are already signed into your account.) Sign into
your account using your email address and password.
Once signed in, you will be taken to Your Account home page. Here, click the link that reads "Electronic
Library."
In your Electronic Library, you will see the On-Demand Video that you purchased. Click the title of the On-Demand
Video and on the next page you will see one of two options: "Start" or "View Now." Clicking either of these
buttons will launch the course in a new window.
Technical Assistance
Q: What are the system requirements for Webcasts, Webinars, and On-Demand Videos?
PBI's Webcasts, Webinars, and On-Demand Videos are delivered via our technology partner, Freestone, via the
Freestone™ Viewer. The Viewer runs using HTML5. In order to use the Freestone™ Viewer, we recommend:
- The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.
- A broadband network connection with a minimum download speed of 10 mbps and upload speed of 5 mbps.
- The most recent version of your computer’s operating system.
For the best streaming experience, close all other tabs, browsers, windows, or programs. Use an ethernet cord
instead of WiFi whenever possible.
Q: How can I receive technical assistance?
For technical assistance with Webcasts, Webinars, or On-Demand Videos, please contact our technology
partner, Abila Freestone, at 1-866-702-3278 or freestonelearnersupport@communitybrands.com.
Accessing Your Course Materials
Q: How do I access the electronic materials included with my Webcast or Webinar?
Electronic Materials can be accessed in your Electronic Library by clicking on the title of the
course. Files can then be found
under Download Handouts.
If your registration was made within 7 business days of the course, there will also be a "Download Course
Materials" link in your order confirmation email.
Q: How do I access the electronic materials included with my On-Demand Video?
Electronic Materials can be accessed in your Electronic Library by clicking on the title of the
course. Files can
then be found under Download Handouts.
A "Download Course Materials" link is also available in your order confirmation email.
Q: How do I access the electronic materials included with my Simulcast?
If you registered for a Simulcast that includes downloadable materials and they are ready for download, there
will be a "Download Course Materials" link in your Order Confirmation email.
If the materials are not yet ready, you will receive a separate email within 7 business days of the course with a
download link prior to the course.
Remember – the electronic materials are your materials for the course. Please download the materials and
don’t
forget to bring your tablet or laptop with you. No print copies will be handed out at the program.
Accessing eBooks and Downloadable Course Books
eBooks and Downloadable Course Books are accessible through your Electronic Library.
Q: How do I access the eBook or Downloadable Course Book that I
purchased?
To access an eBook or Downloadable Course Book that you've purchased, click here to access your Electronic Library. You
will be asked to sign in using your email address and password if you are not already signed in, then you will
be directed to your Electronic Library.
You may also access your Electronic Library by clicking the Sign In button in the upper
right-hand corner of
the screen. (This button might also say Your Account if you are already signed into your account.) Sign into
your account using your email address and password.
Once signed in, you will be taken to Your Account home page. Here, click the link that reads "Electronic
Library."
In your Electronic Library, you will see the eBook or Downloadable Course Book that you purchased. Click the
title of the book and on the next page you will see options to download the book files.
Submitting Credits
Submitting credits for Webcasts, Webinars, and On-Demand Videos can be done through your Electronic Library.
Q: How do I submit credit for a Webcast or Webinar once I have finished the course?
You can submit credit for a Webcast through your Electronic Library. Click here to access your Electronic Library. You
will be asked to sign in using your email address and password if you are not already signed in, then you will
be directed to your Electronic Library.
You may also access your Electronic Library to submit credit by clicking the "Sign In" button in the upper
right-hand corner of the screen and logging into your
account using your email address and password. This button might also say "Your Account" if you are already
signed
into your account.
On the Your Account Home page you will see an option to click for Electronic Library. Once in your Electronic
Library you will see the course listed, please click the title of the course and relaunch the course –
this will
open the course in the Freestone Viewer.
Once the Freestone Viewer has opened, there will be a Credit tab above where the course had previously aired.
Please click that tab and click the Take Survey button. Once you have submitted the survey you will then be able
to click the Submit Credit button. You will see a confirmation that you are submitting credits. You will
automatically be directed to the Manage My Credits page of your account where a Certificate of Completion is
available for your records. PBI will then report your credits to PACLE in approximately 25-30 days.
Q: How do I submit credit for an On-Demand Video once I have finished the course?
You can submit credit for an On-Demand Video through your Electronic Library. Click here to access your Electronic Library. You
will be asked to sign in using your email address and password if you are not already signed in, then you will
be directed to your Electronic Library.
You may also access your Electronic Library to submit credit by clicking the "Sign In" button in the upper
right-hand corner of the screen and logging into your
account using your email address and password. This button might also say "Your Account" if you are already
signed
into your account.
On the Your Account Home page you will see an option to click for Electronic Library. Once in your Electronic
Library you will see the course listed, please click the title of the course and relaunch the course –
this will
open the course in the Freestone Viewer.
Once the Freestone Viewer has opened, there will be a Credit section to the left, please scroll to the bottom of
that section and you should have a Take Survey button if you have watched the entire timing of the course. Once
you have submitted the survey you will then be able to click the Submit Credit button. You will see a
confirmation that you are submitting credits. You will automatically be directed to the Manage My Credits page
of your account where a Certificate of Completion is available for your records. PBI will then report your
credits to PACLE in approximately 25-30 days.
Q: How long does it take for credits to post to my PACLE transcript once I have
submitted for credit?
PBI reports credits approximately 25-30 days after a live course or online course is submitted for credit. The credits are reported for the date that you attended the course or submit for credit online. Please note the PACLE Board does not send final non-compliant reports until the 2nd week of June (for compliance group 1), October (for compliance group 2) and February (for compliance group 3).
We recommend that you check with PACLE for credits at the 30-day mark. If you are still not seeing credits
reported at that time, please contact us at 800-932-4637 or info@pbi.org and we can check into this further.
Q: Can I get partial credit for a distance learning course I don't complete?
Sorry, no. The system can only give credit when you complete a course.
Q: Can I get continuing education credit in other professions for
participation in distance learning?
At present, none of our online programs are pre-approved for other professions. However, we will be pleased to
assist members of other professions in applying for credit for our online programs on a course-by-course basis.
For further assistance, contact customer service by e-mail at info@pbi.org, or by phone at 800-932-4637.
Getting Online CLE Credit in States Other Than Pennsylvania
Q: Does PBI report online credits to New York or New Jersey?
As New York and New Jersey are self-reporting states, they do not pre-approve PBI courses. However, almost all
PBI courses are accepted in New York and New Jersey for CLE credit using your Certificate of Completion.
PBI can help provide you with the course description, course agenda including break times, and faculty
biographies for when you report PBI courses for CLE credit in NY and NJ. Please contact PBI Customer Service at
1-800-932-4637 or info@pbi.org if
you have any additional questions.
Q: Does PBI report online course credits to Delaware?
PBI can submit your online credits to Delaware at your request. After you have completed a Webcast, Webinar,
or On-Demand Video, please notify PBI at info@pbi.org. Please provide your name, course title(s) and your Delaware ID
number. Please note it will take up to 45 days for this to reflect on your Delaware transcript.
Q: Does PBI report online course credits to Ohio?
Ohio requires that PBI contact them directly for a request to approve your online course. The timeframe provided
to PBI from Ohio for a response to this request is approximately one month. If the course is approved at that
time, Ohio will then allow us to report the credits. If you would like us to request approval from Ohio please
email info@pbi.org. Please provide your name, course title(s) and Ohio ID number.
Q: Does PBI report online course credits to West Virginia?
PBI can submit your online credits to West Virginia at your request. After you have completed a Webcast, Webinar, or On-Demand Video, please notify PBI at info@pbi.org. Please provide your name, course title(s) and your West Virginia ID number. Please note it will take up to 45 days for this to reflect on your West Virginia transcript.
Q: Does PBI report online credits for states other than Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio and West Virginia (not including New York, New Jersey and other self-reporting states)?
PBI may be able to submit your online credits at your request. Please contact Ryan Murray at rmurray@pbi.org as soon as you see a Webcast, Webinar, On-Demand Video or Podcast that you are interested in (as many states may impose a fee for courses not submitted within several weeks of a course date). Please provide your name, course title(s) and your State ID number. We will reply to you with further details on if and when we can report credits.
About Distance Education Credits
Q: What qualifies as "distance education"?
"Distance Education" is currently defined as non-live/prerecorded online programming. PBI's On-Demand Video courses qualify as "Distance Education," per the current CLE Board rules.
Q: Can I earn all 12 Pennsylvania CLE credits via distance education?
All CLE credits to satisfy 2021 compliance deadlines may be obtained through completion of distance learning
programs consistent with the Rules and Regulations for Continuing Legal Education in Pennsylvania.
Read the PA Supreme Court order »
DISTANCE LEARNING 2021 POLICY CHANGE
Effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 the PA CLE Board is adopting a temporary policy to recognize live online programming by accredited distance learning providers as live (non-capped) credit towards lawyers' CLE requirement. This will acknowledge the engagement and real-time learning experience synchronous training provides while extending compliance accommodations for attorneys.
You may review the policy here.
Q: I am behind in credits for past years. Can I use distance education
credits for earlier years? If so, how
many can I use?
Yes, you can apply distance education credits that you earn now to earlier years, but no more than 6 credits per
year. Note: the CLE board applies credits to prior years as they are earned, regardless of whether they are live
or online credits. Contact the CLE Board if you have questions, at (800) 497-2253.
Q: Can I carry distance learning credits over to my next compliance period?
Distance learning credits can’t be carried forward. BUT the Pennsylvania CLE Board counts your distance
credits
first—so even if you wait until the last minute to earn them, they count toward your current CLE
compliance
year. If you have extra regular CLE credits, those will carry forward while your distance credits count this
year.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of distance education courses I can take?
You can take as many courses as you like. All CLE credits to satisfy 2021 compliance deadlines may be obtained
through completion of distance learning programs consistent with the Rules and Regulations for Continuing Legal
Education in Pennsylvania.
Read the PA Supreme Court order »
DISTANCE LEARNING 2021 POLICY CHANGE
Effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 the PA CLE Board is adopting a temporary policy to recognize live online programming by accredited distance learning providers as live (non-capped) credit towards lawyers' CLE requirement. This will acknowledge the engagement and real-time learning experience synchronous training provides while extending compliance accommodations for attorneys.
You may review the policy here.
Weather-Related Course Cancellations
Q: How can I find out if a course is cancelled due to inclement weather?
PBI makes every effort to go ahead with courses, but last minute changes are possible. Call 800-932-4637, ext.
2205 for up-to-the-minute information on program cancellations.
About courses NOT in our conference centers
When we decide to cancel a course in our own
conference center in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Mechanicsburg,
the cancellation will be reflected immediately in our catalog. When a third-party site decides to close its
facility due to inclement weather, the cancellation will be reflected as soon as we learn of it. During bad
weather, if you plan to attend a program at one of these sites (e.g., a local bar association, a community
college, an agricultural extension service), contact the site or check local news services to find out whether
the facility is closed. Contact information for all course sites is on the Directions pages of our website.