<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 09.38.02.03" title_num="09" subtitle_num="38" chapter_num="02" heading="Programs Which Qualify.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The overriding consideration in determining whether a specific program qualifies is that it shall be a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of the individual.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Group Continuing Education Programs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Group continuing education programs will qualify only if §A of this regulation is met and:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An outline is prepared in advance and preserved for review by the Board, if required;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The program is at least 1 hour (50-minute instruction period) in length;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The program is conducted by a qualified instructor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A record of attendance is preserved; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The sponsor agrees to admit a member of the Board on request to monitor the program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>These programs include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Professional development programs of recognized national and state tax preparation organizations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Technical sessions at meetings of recognized national and state tax preparation organizations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Noncredit short courses at universities and colleges;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Formal, organized, in-firm education programs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Programs offered by other recognized professional or industrial organizations.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>University and college courses taken for academic credit will qualify only if §A of this regulation is met. Credit towards the continuing education requirement will be calculated at 15 hours for each semester hour credit and 10 hours for each quarter hour credit.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Other Programs. A program other than a group program will qualify only if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The program meets the requirements of §A of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An outline is prepared in advance and preserved for review by the Board, if required;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The program is at least 1 hour (50-minute instruction period) in length; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The program provides evidence of satisfactory completion.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Teacher, Lecturer, or Discussion Leader.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Services as a teacher, lecturer, or discussion leader in subjects qualifying for continuing education credit will be included to the extent that it contributes to the applicant’s professional competence. Repetitious presentation, that is, those that are substantially the same subject material, may be included only once each reporting period.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A teacher, lecturer, or discussion leader of a qualifying continuing education program shall receive:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>3 hours of continuing education credit for every hour of presentation for a first-time presentation of a program; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>1 hour of continuing education credit for every hour of presentation for all subsequent presentations of a program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Subject Matter. The following general subject matter areas are acceptable to the extent that they contribute directly to the expertise of individual income tax preparation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Taxation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Practitioner ethics;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Accounting and payroll theory;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Estate, tax, or investment planning;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Computer technology; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Others, if the applicant can demonstrate a direct relationship between the course and individual income tax preparation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Documentation. The following minimum information concerning each continuing education course shall be maintained by the renewal applicant for 4 years from the date of renewal:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Sponsoring organization;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Course location;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Program title;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Topical course outline;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Content description;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Dates attended;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Hours claimed; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Information reflecting the expertise of the instructor in the subject matter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>