(1) All applicants for renewal of licenses and inactive registration shall have completed a continuing education course as a condition to establish eligibility for renewal.

(2) All courses for continuing education obtained from a provider that is not on the board's preapproved list must be approved by the board based upon the relevance to current nursing home administrator issues.

(a) The board shall adopt policy guidelines for approval of continuing education courses.

(b) A list of the guidelines for approval must be provided to all new licensees and must be available from the board office and through electronic media.

(c) Licensees who attend a course not offered by a preapproved provider/sponsor shall submit the course for approval on the form prescribed by the board and accompanied by the appropriate fee. All courses must be submitted for approval by December 31 of the year in which the course was attended.

(d) A list of approved providers/sponsors and courses must be mailed to licensees with each renewal notice and must be available from the board office through the electronic media.

(3) The board may preapprove providers/sponsors of continuing education. Courses obtained from a preapproved provider/sponsor do not need to be submitted for approval. Courses sponsored by preapproved providers/sponsors that are germane to long-term care will be automatically accepted by the board.

(a) Applications for approval as a provider must be made on a form prescribed by the board.

(b) The board will require that the providers/sponsors demonstrate expertise in the areas of long-term care including accredited educational institutions, recognized professional or trade associations, or other legitimate organizational entities capable of conducting adult continuing education.

(c) The board shall annually review the list of preapproved providers/sponsors for assurance as to the quality and relevance of courses offered and the provider's compliance with the board's policies relative to preapproved providers.

(d) The board may grant continuing education credit to the licensees who have attended courses/programs that have been accepted by other state boards/associations of nursing home administrators.

(4) Twenty-five hours of continuing education will be required annually for renewal of a license or renewal of inactive registration.

(a) Up to 25 hours earned in excess of 25 hours in a calendar year may be carried over into the succeeding year.

(b) A licensee is exempt from the continuing education requirement the year of original licensure.

(c) The board will conduct continuing education audits. Those licensees selected shall submit proof of completion of continuing education courses. Licensees are responsible for maintaining their records of participation of continuing education and make them available upon request.

(d) One semester credit is equal to 15 continuing education hours, and 60 minutes of class time equals one continuing education hour.

(5) No more than 15 hours of college courses may be submitted for continuing education without prior approval of the board. These courses should contribute to the professional competence of the participant.