Your privacy matters to LAPELS (” LAPELS,” we ,” ” us ,” and ” our“). This Privacy Policy covers how we collect, use, disclose, and transfer information collected in connection with your access to and use of this website and the online services we provide, including our licensure applications (https://lola.lapels.com, “LOLA”) designed to allow individuals and businesses to send and receive emails to staff, and receive text messages, using existing landline telephone numbers or telephone numbers (together, ”Services“). We refer to that information as ” Collected Information” throughout this Privacy Policy.

By accessing or using our Services or by accepting our Terms of Service, you agree on behalf of yourself and any company that you represent (together, “you”) that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy and that you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of information as discussed below. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, do not access or use our Services. We may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time. All changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. By continuing to use the Services after changes are posted, you agree to those changes. When we change this Privacy Policy in a material way, a notice will be conspicuously posted on our website.

1. We Collect Information from Individual or Firm Accounts for Purposes of Licensure
If you register a new account, or access an existing account, on LOLA, we will collect all data that is entered into, submitted to, or uploaded by you. This data may include, for example, the SSN, FEIN, names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals and firms and related metadata.

LAPELS will use this information only for purposes of licensure of individuals or firms. Release of email address and phone numbers to third parties is authorized only by prior consent of the individual or firm whose email address and phone numbers are requested.

2. Personally Identifiable Information
You can visit our website without sharing personally identifiable information, but you will be required to provide personally identifiable information in order to sign up for or use our online services. Personally identifiable information is data that can be used to uniquely identify you as an individual or firm. We will collect any personally identifiable information from or about you that you choose to provide to us, which may include, but is not limited to, your name, SSN, FEIN, email address, physical and billing address(es), and telephone number(s).

3. Payment Information
Payments for applications, renewals, reinstatements, or other miscellaneous services may be made through LOLA or in conjunction with individual LAPELS staff assisting you. These payments can be made by credit card, ACH, or check. All credit and debit card information and other payment method information is provided directly to our PCI-compliant third-party payment processor, NIC of Louisiana. After completing one of the online processes on LOLA, you will either choose to pay by check; or, if you choose to pay by credit card, you will be redirected to the NIC of Louisiana payment site, where you will be prompted to pay by credit card or ACH. You will need to submit your name and your credit or debit card number, expiration date, security code, and billing address. Payment by credit or debit card is subject to the approval of the card issuer. We will not be liable in any way if a card issuer refuses to accept a credit or debit card for any reason. If you pay for products or services via ACH, you will need to submit your bank account number and routing number. LAPELS/LOLA does not directly access, handle, or store your payment card or bank account information. We will maintain a record of the purchases that you make using our website.

4. Renewal Notifications and other disseminations
If you are in an upcoming or current renewal, you will receive periodic reminders to renew your license throughout the cycle. You will also receive notifications for upcoming licensure-related CPD ethics webinars hosted by LAPELS, or other events related to the regulation of your individual or firm license. These are regulatory reminders, and thus do not carry an opt-out option. Additional notifications will be sent regarding the quarterly LES Journal, NCEES engineering projects, etc. which are not regulatory, and therefore will contain an opt-out option at the bottom of the email notification. If you have already opted out of these notifications, you will not receive a notification. We may use third-party email providers to deliver these communications to you.

5. Protection of Information
LAPELS takes every precaution, including administrative, technical, and physical measures, to safeguard personal information in our control against loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, and alteration. If you become aware of any breach of Service security or this Privacy Policy, please notify us at cande@lapels.com immediately. If our security system is breached, we will notify you of the breach only if and to the extent required under applicable law. You are solely responsible for the safekeeping of your login credentials, including username and passwords.

6. Access from Outside the United States
If you are visiting or using the Services from outside the United States, please be aware that Collected Information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States (where our servers and databases are located and operated).

7. Accessing and Updating Your Personally Identifiable Information
If the personally identifiable information we store about you is incorrect, we endeavor to provide you with ways to correct it unless we have to keep that information for legitimate business or legal purposes. To access or update your personally identifiable information as it exists in our records, please contact us at accountrecovery@lapels.com. When updating your personally identifiable information, we may ask you to verify your identity before we can act on your request.

8. Third-Party Sites and Services
The Services may contain links to third-party websites, products, and services that are not maintained or controlled by LAPELS. LAPELS is not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of any third parties or any third-party websites, products, or services. You should independently review the privacy policies of those third parties.

9. Privacy Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the information we collect, please contact us by email at administrator@lapels.com, by telephone at (225) 925-6291, or by mail at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 903, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809.