R156-60d-304. Continuing Education

  (1) In accordance with Section 58-60-105, there is created a continuing education requirement as a condition for renewal or reinstatement of a licensed advanced substance use disorder counselor, certified advanced substance use disorder counselor, licensed substance use disorder counselor, or a certified substance use disorder counselor issued under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 5.

  (2) Continuing education shall consist of 40 hours of education directly related to the licensee's professional practice. A licensed advanced substance use disorder counselor and licensed substance use disorder counselor shall complete the requirement during each two year license renewal cycle. A certified advanced substance use disorder counselor and a certified substance use disorder counselor shall complete the requirement during each two year period following the date of initial licensure. At least six of the 40 required hours must be in the area of professional ethics and responsibilities.

  (3) The required number of hours of continuing education for a licensed advanced substance use disorder counselor or a licensed substance use disorder counselor who first becomes licensed during the two year renewal cycle shall be decreased in a pro rata amount equal to any part of that two year renewal cycle preceding the date on which that individual first became licensed.

  (4) The standards for continuing education shall include:

  (a) a clear statement of purpose and defined objective for the educational program directly related to the practice of a substance use disorder counselor;

  (b) documented relevance to the licensee's professional practice;

  (c) a competent, well-organized, and sequential presentation consistent with the stated purpose and objective of the program;

  (d) preparation and presentation by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience; and

  (e) a competent method of registration of individuals who actually completed the continuing education program and records of that registration completion available for review.

  (5) Credit for continuing education shall be recognized in accordance with the following:

  (a) unlimited hours shall be recognized for continuing education completed in blocks of time of not less than 50 minutes in formally established classroom courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, institutes, or in services;

  (b) a maximum of ten hours per two year period may be recognized for teaching in a college or university, or teaching continuing education courses in the field of substance use disorder counseling; and

  (c) a maximum of 15 hours per two year period may be recognized for distance learning, clinical readings or internet-based courses directly related to practice as a substance use disorder counselor.

  (6) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed continuing education for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to continuing education to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.

  (7) A licensee who documents he is engaged in full time activities or is subjected to circumstances which prevent that licensee from meeting the continuing education requirements established under this section may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to five years. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to document the reasons and justify why the requirement could not be met.