24.225.709    CONTINUING EDUCATION

(1) Nonsurgical embryo transfer technicians are required to obtain a total of ten continuing education (CE) hours prior to renewal on November 1.

(2) No more than five of the ten hours may be obtained through online courses.

(3) Continuing education requirements will not apply until after the licensee's first renewal.

(4) Licensees are responsible for selecting quality programs that focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to nonsurgical embryo transfer technicians' professional knowledge and competence. Acceptable CE activities:

(a) directly relate to the scope of practice of nonsurgical embryo transfer as defined in board statutes and rules;

(b) review existing concepts and techniques;

(c) convey information beyond the basic professional education;

(d) update knowledge on the practice and advances in nonsurgical embryo transfer; and/or

(e) reinforce professional conduct or ethical obligations of the licensee.

(5) All licensees shall affirm an understanding of their recurring duty to comply with CE requirements as a part of annual license renewal.

(6) The board may randomly audit up to 50 percent of renewed licensees.

(7) All CE must be documented to show proof of completion. The licensee is responsible for maintaining these records for one year following the renewal cycle reporting period and for making those records available upon board request. Documentation must include the following information:

(a) licensee name;

(b) course title and description of content;

(c) presenter or sponsor;

(d) course date(s); and

(e) number of CE hours earned.

(8) Licensees found to be in noncompliance with CE requirements may be subject to administrative suspension. Licensees may not apply CE hours used to complete delinquent CE requirements for the next education reporting period.

(9) Any CE hours required by disciplinary order do not apply toward the ten hours that are required annually under this rule.

(10) A licensee may request a hardship exemption from CE requirements due to certified illness or undue hardship. Requests will be considered by the board. 

History: 37-1-319, MCA; IMP, 37-1-131, 37-1-141, 37-1-306, 37-1-319, MCA; NEW, 1991 MAR p. 2030, Eff. 11/1/91; TRANS, from Commerce, 2005 MAR p. 323; AMD, 2006 MAR p. 1583, Eff. 7/1/06; AMD, 2008 MAR p. 633, Eff. 4/11/08; AMD, 2009 MAR p. 2483, Eff. 12/25/09; AMD, 2020 MAR p. 1633, Eff. 8/29/20.