(1) Continuing education is that education obtained after registration of a sanitarian which is in addition to the educational requirements set by statute for licensure. Continuing education must be related to the practice of the profession of a sanitarian.

(2) A licensee must affirm on licensee's license renewal form that the licensee has obtained a minimum of 15 clock hours (50 to 60 minutes per hour) or 1.5 continuing education units with licensee's renewal form each odd-numbered year.

(3) It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain records of all affirmed continuing education hours or credits and to provide documentation of compliance if so requested during a random audit. A random audit will be conducted on a biennial basis.

(4) Credit for continuing education shall not be carried over to a subsequent reporting period.

(5) Credit for any continuing education courses, workshops, seminars, educational conferences and other programs is subject to approval by the board.

(6) The following continuing education programs are approved by the board for continuing education credit:

(a) Workshops, seminars and educational conferences sponsored by the National Environmental Health Association, the Montana Environmental Health Association and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services; and

(b) Accreditation and refresher courses in specialized programs (i.e., UST licensure, asbestos accreditation, FDA standardization, etc.) sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency or state agencies.

(7) Continuing education may be obtained by correspondence course work through the National Environmental Health Association, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration and other organizations, subject to approval by the board.

(8) Any continuing education which has been obtained in another state that meets the continuing education requirements of that state may be approved for credit by the board.

(9) The board may approve a waiver of the continuing education requirement of a registered sanitarian who has retired from active practice of the profession and submits a written request to the board before the renewal date.