STEPP Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question not listed here? Contact the Help Desk by phone at 202-753-0845 within the Washington, DC area or toll free at 833-200-0035 (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time), by email at support@usalearning.net, or by submitting a ticket at https://cdse.usalearning.gov/blocks/help_desk/newticket.php.

What are STEPP's hours of operation?

STEPP Hours: Available 7 days a week, weekdays from 3:30am to 1:30am EST

STEPP has three scheduled downtimes:
--Daily weekday backup from 2:00am to 3:15am EST
--Weekend (Sunday Maintenance) from 12:01am to 3:15am EST
--Bi-weekly course publishing downtime Fridays from 9:00pm – 01:00am EST

Does STEPP support multifactor authentication?

Starting in FY24 STEPP users will have two additional options for authentication: Smart Card or Email PIN.

  • All DOD civilians, military, and federal users (.MIL or .GOV emails) will be required to use CAC, EAC, or PIV to log in to STEPP.
    • Existing STEPP users:
      • Must ensure the STEPP Profile shows the same email registered on their CAC (see Updating STEPP User Profile email address in this FAQ)
      • If CAC and STEPP Profile emails are identical, then register your CAC with DCSA MyAccess (https://myaccess.dcsa.mil/).
      • 48hrs after MyAccess account registration, STEPP accounts will be CAC-enabled. Use the “Smart Card Log In” button.
    • NEW STEPP accounts only:
      • Click on Create New Account with DOD CAC to create a STEPP account.
      • These accounts will be immediately CAC-enabled to use the Smart Card Log In.

I have a CAC, may I use it for login to STEPP?

Note: Starting FY24, CAC owners will be capable for login to STEPP using their smartcards. Once fully enabled for Smart Card, however, your username/password access is discontinued.

DO NOT create an additional STEPP account for using your Smart Card. Your training will not carry over to your new account, and a Help ticket will be needed to merge the two accounts and restore your access.

  1. To enable Smart Card login: First, ensure your STEPP Profile shows the same email as registered to your CAC.
    • Verify or update by clicking on your name in STEPP and selecting Edit Profile from the drop down.
  2. Then, register your Smart Card (https://myaccess.dcsa.mil). Allow up to 48 hours for the update to your STEPP account. Until then, you may still use username/password.
  3. Utilize the "Smart Card Log In" button at the login screen.

Unable to Log in to STEPP for @.mil or @.gov?

If STEPP user Profile email address is .mil or .gov, the account is configured for Smart Card login only. To troubleshoot and contact the appropriate team:

  1. Confirm that your username / password is no longer working for login and that you are entering the correct email.
  2. Confirm that you have a MyAccess account at https://myaccess.dcsa.mil/ and there is a STEPP tile visible under Enabled Applications.
    • Requests for User Pin and/or System PIN - contact MyAccess Help Desk at 1-878-274-1765 or enter a ticket at: https://esd.dcsa.mil/csm.
    • Message stating you are not authorized to access Moodle - contact USAL Help Desk (info at top of page) for STEPP account update.
  3. Confirm that you are using the “Smart Card Log In” button to access STEPP.
  4. Receiving a "Connection is not private" error - contact the DCSA IT Support Desk at 878-274-2000.
  5. If still unable to login - contact the USAL Help Desk (info at top of page).

Errors when attempting a password reset or username login?

  • Emailed message is received stating "Passwords cannot be reset on this site" - please use the Smart Card Log In button with your CAC.
  • Error message stating "You cannot proceed without changing your password" - please use the Smart Card Log In button with your CAC.
  • Login message stating "You are not authorized to access Moodle" - contact USAL Help Desk (see last bullet) for STEPP account update.
  • Repeatedly can't sign into STEPP with username/password - account may have been set for CAC login. Please attempt the Smart Card Log In button.
  • If still unable to login - contact the USAL Help Desk (info at top of page).

I was enabled for Smart Card login to STEPP; however, I need to return to username/password access after transitioning to industry. How do I initiate?

Please do not create a second STEPP account. We understand your predicament. Your email has changed, and you are unable to log into STEPP to update your Profile. Because the system is expecting your CAC, even a password reset attempt will reveal an error. You must contact the USAL Help Desk (info at top of page) to have your STEPP Profile updated with your new email address as well as be switched to username access.

I was enabled for CAC login to STEPP however I just had my CAC card renewed. How do I continue access with my CAC?

Once you have renewed your CAC, you must register the new certificate in MyAccess to continue the capability to STEPP. Once connecting to MyAccess (https://myaccess.dcma.mil/) and before selecting your old certificate for authentication, scroll to "New Certificate? Update here" on the page. Click on the link to register your new certificate.

Problems with Smart Card (CAC, EAC, PIV MyAccess) Registration?

For MyAccess account creation issues, reprovisioning your STEPP title, or other questions, please contact MyAccess Help at 1-878-274-1765 or enter a ticket at https://esd.dcsa.mil/csm.

I am enabled for Smart Card login, can I access STEPP if MyAccess is down?

Unfortunately, no. When aware of a MyAccess outage or intermittent issues, CDSE will post a message at the top of the STEPP login page. Check back often. If you absolutely must get into STEPP for a time sensitive commitment, contact the USAL Help Desk (info at the top of page) to switch your account to username access. Note that you must contact them a second time to switch back to Smart Card, as they are mutually exclusive functions.

How do I create an account?

New Users: To create an account, navigate to https://cdse.usalearning.gov/login/index.php and beneath "Is this your first time here", select the appropriate button for your new STEPP account.

Select "Create New Account with DOD CAC" if you are a CAC/Smart Card holder and it is currently in-use. You will be directed thru the MyAccess portal for the creation of your STEPP account linked to your professional email. These accounts are subsequently enabled for Smart Card login.

Select "Create New Account (non-DOD CAC)" to establish an account for standard username/password login. You will be directed to an account creation page to input your profile information, including your email address.

How do I log in?

To log into the website, go to https://cdse.usalearning.gov/login/index.php and type in your username or email and password into the appropriate fields or use the Smart Card Log In button if your account is already enabled. If you are unable to access the site due to password expiration, select the Forgotten your username or password? button. If you are still not able to log in or create an account, contact the Help Desk (info at top of page).

I forgot my STEPP username and/or password.

If you have forgotten your username, try logging in using your email instead of your username. Once you are logged in, you can find your username on your profile page by hovering your cursor over your name at the top right of the page and selecting the "View profile" option.

If you have forgotten your password, go to https://cdse.usalearning.gov/login/forgot_password.php and enter either the username or email address associated with your account. If we can find you in the database, an email will be sent to your email address with instructions on how to gain access again.

I did not receive my password reset link.

Please check your spam folder. Due to high volume of users on the system, a password reset email may take up to 60 minutes to be processed. If you have not received your password reset link, please contact the USAL Help Desk (info at top of page).

For STEPP generated new accounts: Did not receive an email with an access code?

Go to https://cdse.usalearning.gov/login/resend_accesscode.php, enter your email address, and select the Resend Access Code button. An email will be sent to your address with your access code. If you are still not able to log in, please contact the USAL Help Desk (info at top of page).

How does a student receive an updated Certificate of Completion, with a new date, for an already completed course?

Select eLearning courses have a “Course Reset” button at the top of the course page with the date of the last successful completion. Pressing the Course Reset button will reset the course completion and allow the student to retake the course. Students are required to meet the course completion requirements to achieve a new Certificate of Completion with an updated date.

If a student completes a course, then resets it, what does it look like on his/her training transcript?

Each successful course completion will appear on a student’s training transcript.

If a student completes a course and then resets it, he/she will receive completion certificates for both completions, right?

Yes. The student will be able to access their latest completion certificate on the course page and the “My Certificates” page in their profile. Students will be able to access past completion certificates by selecting the course names in their online transcript.

How do I update my profile?

To update your profile, hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the page and select the Edit Profile button. From there, you can update various fields of your profile.

Updating STEPP User Profile email address.

To update your profile, hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the page and select the Edit Profile button. From there, you can update your email address. Please remember to click on the STEPP confirming email sent to the updated email account.

Need a Course Completion Certificate for a recently completed course?

Note: It may take up to 20 minutes after completion for the certificate to appear with the completion date. Hover over your Name at the top right of the STEPP page. Click My Transcript, then select the recently completed Course. On the Course Page, scroll down and click the Certificate of Completion icon.

Need a certificate for a completed course?

Hover over your Name at the top right of the STEPP page, then click View Profile. Click My Certificates under the Miscellaneous Section. This will list your downloaded certificates from training completed after October 1, 2018. Select the appropriate Completion Certificate.
Note: For recent training, it may take up to 20 minutes after completion for the certificate to display the completion date.

How do I view/print my certificate?

If you completed the course prior to October 1, 2018 hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the page and select the My Transcript option. Scroll down to the "My Training Record" list, select the name of the course, and a certificate for the course will be generated in your browser. If you completed the course after October 1, 2018 navigate in My Transcript to the course completed, select it, then select the Certificate of Completion button.

It can sometimes take up to 15 minutes for a date to appear on your certificate after the course has been completed.

Unable to obtain your next attempt at a course exam?

Students who do not achieve a passing score on their exam must complete the e-learning course before STEPP will present the second exam. If you have completed the e-learning course, be sure to select the “Next” button at the end of the course to complete the course content.

What is on my STEPP homepage?

On your STEPP homepage, you can find a Course Overview that features all the classes you are enrolled in. You can also find your Registration Requests, which is where you can see your approval status for classes that are pending approval. On the side of the page, there is a calendar and an upcoming events section. You can submit a ticket to the Help Desk by using the "Need Help?" section. Hovering over the "Training" tab near the top of the page will show you a list of categories for courses on the site.

How do I establish my preferences?

To edit your site preferences, hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the page and select the "Preferences" option in the menu. From here you may select to edit your profile information or even your STEPP calendar preferences.

How do I browse/search for training?

To browse the list of courses, hover your cursor over the "Training" tab at the top of your homepage and select the category you would like to browse. If you are looking for a specific course, you can search for it by using the "Search" block section on the right side of the homepage.

How do I view the class offerings (dates) for instructor-led courses?

To view the class offering dates for instructor-led courses, search for the course, and select the course title to view a listing of dates. Alternatively, click on the desired course at https://www.cdse.edu/Training/Instructor-led-Courses/ to view scheduled offerings on the rightmost of each page. For Education courses in STEPP, the Enroll me button will be active once registration is open for any given semester.

How do I register for training?

To register for training, navigate to the course page and select the Enroll me button. To register for a class with a roster, select the Request Registration button. Once you've requested registration, you will be approved or denied based on your eligibility. Being approved for a course can take some time. Please be patient as enrollments for some courses are reviewed manually.

How do I launch my training?

Navigate to the course you are trying to launch and make sure you are enrolled. If you are enrolled, select the button associated with the course, module, or exam.

How do I cancel my training?

Contact the Help Desk so that they can assist you with cancellation of the course.

How do I view my progress?

Because we offer such a wide variety of courses, the way to check your course progress may differ depending on the course. Therefore, the best way of checking your progress is to relaunch the course and check to see if each category is marked as complete.

How do I view/print my transcript?

To view your transcript, hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the page, and select the "My Transcript" option from the drop-down menu. To print your entire transcript, select "Show 100 entries," on all drop down menus on the left side of the page, then press Ctrl + P to print the page. To request an official copy of your transcript, please submit a Help Desk Ticket.

How can I obtain a list of my STEPP certificates for my record keeping?

To view a list of course completion certificates and their award dates (since October 2018), hover your cursor over your name at the top right of the STEPP page, and select the "View Profile" option from the drop-down menu. Select “My Certificates” within the Miscellaneous block on your Profile page. A list of certificates that you have previously downloaded will populate a table on the page – note that this can take a few minutes depending on the amount of completions awarded. If you do not see a certificate for an activity that you have completed, you may need to return to its course page and generate the certificate. Above the resulting list, select “Microsoft Excel” from the drop-down menu, then click the “Download” button. Once the file is complete, expect to see a prompt with options or a pop-up window asking to save the file, depending on the browser in use. Save and manipulate the file for your purposes.

How do I access the course student guide?

To view the student guide for a particular course, navigate to the course page and select the Student Guide button located at the bottom of the page. The guide will be available on the displayed web page. Alternatively, you can view those available student guides by selecting "Training > STEPP Resources > Student Level Resources" from the top navigation bar in STEPP and selecting CDSE Student Guides to locate the desired document.

Letters are missing from my course and/or exam.

If you control your own Internet Explorer settings, enable font downloads.

Here's how: In Internet Explorer, click the gear icon or the Tools menu, then choose Internet options. When the Internet Options window appears, select the Security tab, choose the Internet zone, and click Custom level. When the Security Settings window appears, scroll to the Downloads section and enable the Font download setting. Click OK twice to save your settings, then close and reopen Internet Explorer.

Students should also try using a different browser such as FireFox, Chrome, Edge, or Safari to access the eLearning course.

I am having issues navigating within the course or manipulating the course window to see the buttons.

Whether you are new to STEPP or an experienced learner, we recommend you review this course tutorial to understand the user interface of our predominant courses and how to setup your system for optimum performance and ease of navigation. A menu is provided in the tutorial so you may go directly to a topic of interest if desired.

When I submit the answers to my exam, the submission process freezes or stops working.

Please make sure you have a stable internet connection when taking the exam. System requirements and other troubleshooting information can be found at https://www.cdse.edu/stepp/help-configuration.html.

Can I stop in the middle of an online exam and return later to finish it?

Yes, you may exit an exam and return at a later time to finish it.

Recommended browser for eLearning courses?

CDSE recommends using the most current version of the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Chrome, or Safari.

Note: Although eLearning courses can be viewed in Internet Explorer, CDSE does not recommend using Internet Explorer.

What is the required internet connection for STEPP?

The recommended internet connection is a minimum of 512Kbs.

Where is my SPēD Certification Information?

SPēD certification was migrated out of STEPP in 2020 to My SPēD Certification (MSC), and in 2024 to Defense Acquisition University (DAU) system. For more information or to create an account see https://www.cdse.edu/Certification/Account-Login.

Course display is too large/small for my screen!

Together pressing the Ctrl-minus or Ctrl-plus keys may incrementally adjust the overall dimension of the course page within your window.