§ 5.223. Minimum standards of the online training program.
(a) Program features.
(1) The program content for the online training program must be either the standard curriculum or an approved alternative curriculum. Material changes to the curriculum may not be made without the approval of the PLCB.
(2) The online training program must cover topics required by the PLCB. The topics must be grouped into training modules. For some topics, the online training program must include mandatory language. The required topics, the mandatory language and the PLCB’s final examination will be made available to the applicant by the PLCB.
(3) The online training program must include knowledge checks at the end of each training module. Knowledge checks ensure that a student is properly reviewing and understanding the program content. The online training program must require a student to correctly answer questions based on course content. These questions should be designed to evaluate the student’s comprehension of each training module before students are permitted to advance to the next training module.
(4) The online training program must use the PLCB’s final examination.
(5) The online training program must consist of at least 1 1/2 hours of instructional time.
(6) The online training program must contain any disclaimers required by the PLCB, which the PLCB will provide to the applicant.
(b) Program availability.
(1) Every online training provider shall make its online training program available to the general public.
(2) An online training provider shall require a student to register for the online training program by using specific personal identifiers provided by the PLCB.
(i) The online training program must provide the opportunity for a student to confirm and edit the information submitted in the registration process before proceeding.
(ii) The registration process must require the student to provide an e-mail address.
(iii) As soon as the student has completed the registration process, the online training program must send the student an e-mail confirming the student’s registration with that online training program. The e-mail must include a hyperlink to the online training program.
(3) If the online training provider offers training vouchers for licensees to purchase for the future use of the licensee’s employees, the online training provider’s web site must meet the requirements set forth in § 5.226 (relating to training vouchers).
(c) Program functionality.
(1) All text on each page or screen of the online training program must be narrated.
(2) Each page or screen of the online training program must be numbered.
(3) Each page or screen of the online training program must be timed so that a student may not advance to the next page or screen without having sufficient opportunity to review the contents of the current page or screen.
(4) Knowledge checks must be incorporated throughout the training.
(5) The online training program must require the student to answer security questions during registration that will be used, at random intervals, to validate student identity and participation throughout the course.
(6) The online training program must allow a student to pause and review previous pages or screens at any time.
(7) The online training program must allow a student to save progress in the program content, log out and resume the online training program at a later time. Once the student has begun the final examination however, logging out of the training program must not be permitted, as explained in subsection (d)(1)(i).
(d) Final Examination.
(1) At the conclusion of the online training program, the student shall be required to complete the PLCB’s final examination.
(i) The student shall have one attempt at the final examination. The student shall not be permitted to log out of the final examination and resume the final examination at a later time.
(ii) Questions in the PLCB’s final examination must be randomized by the online training provider.
(iii) The student shall not be able to print the final examination.
(2) The online training program must immediately score the final examination and immediately notify the student of that score. A score of 80% or better is required to pass the final examination.
(i) The online training program must be able to allow a student who receives a passing score on the final examination to print a certificate of completion provided by the PLCB.
(ii) A student who does not receive a passing score on the final examination may re-register for an online training program. However, the student may not retake the final examination without taking the online training program again.
(3) The online training program must provide each student with access to a manual.
(i) If the online training program is using the PLCB’s standard curriculum, then the student shall be provided with the manual for that curriculum.
(ii) If the online training program is based on an alternative curriculum that has been approved by the PLCB, then the student shall be provided with the manual for that curriculum.
(iii) Manuals may not be printed until the conclusion of the final examination.
(iv) Manuals may not be provided to anyone not participating in an approved online training program.
(e) Security and technology.
(1) The online training program must comply with the most current version of the PLCB’s Web Trainee Transfer Service requirements, as referenced in § 5.213(a) (relating to alternative curriculum).
(2) The online training program must encrypt, at all times, any personally identifiable information protected by law, including but not limited to a student’s social security number or date of birth. The online training provider shall not sell or use this information for any purpose other than for identification by the online training provider and verification by the PLCB.
(3) The online training program must comply with any and all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations related to information security.
Authority The provisions of this § 5.223 added under sections 207(i) and 471.1 of the Liquor Code (47 P.S. § § 2-207(i) and 4-471.1).
Source The provisions of this § 5.223 added August 27, 2021, effective August 28, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 5374.
Cross References This section cited in 40 Pa. Code § 5.222 (relating to online training program approval process); and 40 Pa. Code § 5.227 (relating to deauthorization of online training providers).
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