R156-55c-304. Continuing Education - Standards

  (1) Required Hours. Pursuant to Sections 58-55-302.7 and 58-55-303, each licensee shall complete 12 hours of continuing education during each two-year license term. A minimum of eight hours shall be core education. The remaining four hours may be professional education.

  (2) "Core continuing education" is defined as education covering:

  (a) International Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and International Energy Conservation Codes and Utah building code amendments as adopted or proposed for adoption;

  (b) the Americans with Disability Act;

  (c) medical gas, National Fire Protection Association 13D and 54; and

  (d) hydronics and waste water treatment.

  (3) "Professional continuing education" is defined as education covering:

  (a) energy conservation, management training, new technology, plan reading; and

  (b) lien laws and Utah construction registry

  (c) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training; and

  (d) government regulations.

  (4) Non-acceptable course subject matter includes the following types of courses and other similar courses:

  (a) mechanical office and business skills, such as typing, speed reading, memory improvement, and report writing;

  (b) physical well-being or personal development, such as personal motivation, stress management, time management, or dress for success;

  (c) presentations by a supplier or a supplier representative to promote a particular product or line of products; and

  (d) meetings held in conjunction with the general business of the licensee or employer.

  (5) The Division may:

  (a) waive the continuing education requirements for a licensee that is an instructor of an approved education apprenticeship program; or

  (b) waive or defer the continuing education requirements as provided in Section R156-1-308d.

  (6) A continuing education course shall meet the following standards:

  (a) Time. Each hour of continuing education course credit shall consist of at least 50 minutes of education in the form of seminars, lectures, conferences, training sessions, or distance learning modules. The remaining ten minutes may be used for breaks.

  (b) Provider. The course provider shall meet the requirements of this section and shall be one of the following:

  (i) a recognized accredited college or university;

  (ii) a state or federal agency;

  (iii) a professional association or organization involved in the construction trades; or

  (iv) a commercial continuing education provider providing a program related to the plumbing trade.

  (c) Content. The content of the course shall be relevant to the practice of the plumbing trade and consistent with the laws and rules of this state.

  (d) Objectives. The learning objectives of the course shall be reasonably and clearly stated.

  (e) Teaching Methods. The course shall be presented in a competent, well organized and sequential manner consistent with the stated purpose and objective of the program.

  (f) Faculty. The course shall be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience.

  (g) Distance learning. A course that is provided through internet or home study courses may be recognized for continuing education if the course verifies registration and participation in the course by means of a passing a test demonstrating that the participant has learned the material presented. Test questions shall be randomized for each participant.

  (h) Documentation. The course provider shall have a competent method of registration of individuals who actually completed the course, shall maintain records of attendance that are available for review by the Division, and shall provide to individuals completing the course a certificate that contains the following information:

  (i) the date of the course;

  (ii) the name of the course provider;

  (iii) the name of the instructor;

  (iv) the course title;

  (v) the hours of continuing education credit;

  (vi) the attendee's name;

  (vii) the attendee's license number; and

  (viii) the signature of the course provider.

  (7) On a random basis, the Division may assign monitors at no charge to attend a course for the purpose of evaluating the course and the instructor.

  (8) Each licensee shall maintain adequate documentation as proof of compliance with this section, such as certificates of completion, course handouts, and materials. The licensee shall retain this proof for a period of three years from the end of the renewal period for which the continuing education is due. Each licensee shall assure that the course provider has submitted the verification of attendance to the continuing education registry on behalf of the licensee as specified in Subsection (10). Alternatively, the licensee may submit the course for approval and pay any course approval fees and attendance recording fees.

  (9) Licensees who lecture in approved continuing education courses shall receive two hours of continuing education for each hour spent lecturing. However, no lecturing or teaching credit is available for participation in a panel discussion.

  (10) A course provider shall submit to the continuing education registry, in the format required by the continuing education registry:

  (a) applications for approval of continuing education courses; and

  (b) on behalf of each licensee, verification of the licensee's attendance and completion of a continuing education course.

  (11) The Division shall review continuing education courses which have been submitted through the continuing education registry and approve only those courses that meet the standards set forth under this section.

  (12) Continuing Education Registry.

  (a) The Division shall designate an entity to act as the Continuing Education Registry under this rule.

  (b) The Continuing Education Registry, in consultation with the Division and the Commission, shall:

  (i) through its internet site electronically receive applications for course approval from continuing education course providers, and submit to the Division for review and approval only those courses which meet the standards set forth under this section;

  (ii) publish on its website listings of continuing education courses approved by the Division, which meet the standards for continuing education credit under this rule;

  (iii) maintain accurate records of approved qualified continuing education courses;

  (iv) maintain accurate records of verification of attendance and completion for each individual licensee, which the licensee may review for compliance with this rule; and

  (v) make records of approved continuing education programs and attendance and completion available for audit by representatives of the Division.

  (c) Fees. The Continuing Education Registry may charge a reasonable fee to continuing education providers or licensees for services provided for review and approval of continuing education programs.