STEPP Frequently Asked Questions

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 D-ICAM (https://icam.dcsa.mil/).
  • 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. Can I use it to log in to STEPP?

Yes. STEPP supports CAC login through D-ICAM.

1. Log in to STEPP using your current username and password.
2. Click your name in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Edit Profile" and update your email address as needed.
4. After verifying your email, register your CAC at: https://icam.dcsa.mil
5. Use the "Login via D-ICAM" button on the STEPP login page once setup is complete.

If you encounter any issues with your D-ICAM account, contact DCSA IT Support email at: dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil

Unable to Log via D-ICAM?

• Confirm that your username / password is no longer working for login and that you are entering the correct email.
• Confirm that you have a D-ICAM account at https://icam.dcsa.mil/ and there is a STEPP tile visible under “My Apps”.
• Message stating you are not authorized to access Moodle - contact USAL Help Desk (info at top of page) for STEPP account update.
• Confirm that you are using the “Login via D-ICAM” button to access STEPP.
• Receiving a "Connection is not private" error - contact the DCSA IT Support Desk at 878-274-2000.
• 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 Login via D-ICAM button with your CAC.
• Error message stating "You cannot proceed without changing your password" - please use the Login via D-ICAM 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 Login via D-ICAM 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.

How do I log in?

To log into the website, go to https://securitytraining.dcsa.mil/login/index.php and type in your username or email and password into the appropriate fields or use the Login via D-ICAM button if your account is already enabled for smartcard login. 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://securitytraining.dcsa.mil/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 the high volume of users on the system, it may take up to 60 minutes for a password reset email to be processed. If you have not received your password reset link after this time, please contact the USAL Help Desk. You can reach 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). You can also contact them by email at support@usalearning.net or by submitting a ticket at https://securitytraining.dcsa.mil/blocks/help_desk/newticket.php.

How do I create an account?

New Users: To create an account, go to https://securitytraining.dcsa.mil/login/index.php and, under "Is this your first time here?", select the appropriate option 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 through the D-ICAM portal to create your STEPP account, which will be linked to your professional email. These accounts are then enabled for Smart Card login.

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

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 such as name, email address, company, phone, and organization.

How do I update my Email Address?

To update your email address, 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 make sure to click on the confirmation email sent to the new email address.

If I have multiple accounts in STEPP, how do I request assistance to have the training and accounts merged?

Please contact the USAL Help Desk to request the account merge. Be sure to provide both account emails in the problem description, along with the desired active account. You can reach 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://securitytraining.dcsa.mil/blocks/help_desk/newticket.php.

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.

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.

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 .

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 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.

What is the required internet connection for STEPP?

The recommended internet connection is a minimum of 512Kbs.

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 D-ICAM?

D-ICAM is a secure identity and access management platform that allows you to log in once (Single Sign-On, or SSO) and access multiple applications without needing to re-enter credentials.

How do I log in to D-ICAM?

Visit your organization’s D-ICAM login page (usually https://ICAM.DCSA.MIL). Sign in with your CAC or PIV.

I forgot my D-ICAM password. What should I do?

Please open a support ticket at dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil .

Why does my account show an account ending with @dcsa.mil?

This is not an email. It is an account identifier related to D-ICAM. Instead of an actual email account.

I’m getting a “Your login is not recognized” message. What’s wrong?

This may mean:

• You’ve entered incorrect credentials
• Your account is locked or deactivated
• You’re on the wrong login URL

Please contact support - dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil .

How do I add or remove apps from my D-ICAM dashboard?

Only D-ICAM administrators can assign apps to users. If you need access to a new app or no longer need one, submit a request to your IT team.

Why can’t I access one of my apps in the D-ICAM dashboard?

Check if:

• You’re assigned to the app
• Your D-ICAM account is active
• The app is experiencing downtime

If issues persist, please contact the DCSA IT Support email at: dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil .

How do I update my profile information (e.g., email, phone number)?

1. Go to the D-ICAM portal: https://icam.dcsa.mil
2. Click on your name in the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. Select "Settings".
4. Navigate to the "Personal Information" section and click "Edit".
5. Enter your correct email address and save the changes.

After updating your email, you will receive a confirmation email at the new address. Please follow the instructions in that email to complete the update.

If you encounter any issues or need additional help with your D-ICAM account, you can reach out to the DCSA IT Support email at: dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil.

Who do I contact if I need help?

Contact dcsa.itsupport@mail.mil for any issues related to D-ICAM access, MFA, or account problems.

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.

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 set up 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.

How do I view my course progress?

Because we offer such a wide variety of courses, the way you 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.

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.

Unable to obtain your next attempt at a course exam?

The second exam attempt cannot be unlocked until the eLearning course has been fully completed. This will require all eLearning course content to be viewed in order to obtain more attempts.

After Completing the course again, navigate back to the course page and Select the "Click Here to unlock additional exam attempts" button located on the course page below the "Launch Exam" section.

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.

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
• Weekly course publishing downtime Fridays from 9:00pm – 01:00am EST

What is on my STEPP Dashboard?

On your STEPP dashboard, 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 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.

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.

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.