(A) Licensees must complete at least twelve hours of continuing professional education every two years. At least six of the twelve hours must be earned in a live instructional setting as opposed to a correspondence course or similar instructional method. If the organization is a sole proprietorship or partnership, owners and partners must complete the required twelve hours of continuing professional education every two years. If the organization is a limited liability company or corporation, any member or president, chief executive officer, or other officer who has ownership interest of twenty-five percent or greater and who actively participates in the organization must complete the required twelve hours of continuing professional education every two years. The continuing professional education completed must be reported to the department every two years on a form approved by its showing the date and title of the courses taken, the teacher or sponsor of the course taken, and the hours of continuing professional education claimed for the course. If the course is taught in a classroom setting, fifty minutes of classroom contact equals one hour of continuing professional education. Course sponsors must maintain records of attendees for two years after the course.

(B) Documentation of attendance at the courses or correspondence courses completed must be maintained by the licensee and consists of a certificate of completion issued by the teacher or sponsor of the course showing the recommended number of hours of continuing professional education. This documentation is subject to inspection by the department for up to two years after the date of the course.

(C) The department shall:

(1) offer continuing professional education courses to assist licensees in obtaining the continuing professional education required by this chapter; and

(2) appoint two credit counselors and one representative of the department to a panel for two-year terms to approve courses offered by sponsors other than the department as to their qualifications as continuing professional education. The panel may conduct its meetings by way of a conference call. The department shall develop a questionnaire to ascertain the interest and background of potential members of this panel.

(D) If a licensee fails to complete his continuing professional education in a timely manner, the license expires and the licensee shall pay a penalty not in excess of one hundred dollars to renew the license.

(E) A licensee may request an administrative hearing to appeal the expiration of its license for failure to complete the continuing professional education requirements. A license may be renewed without penalty within thirty days after the expiration if the licensee completes the professional education requirements.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 111, Section 1, eff 6 month after approval by the Governor (became law without the Governor's signature on June 2, 2005).