<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 10.34.34.10" title_num="10" subtitle_num="34" chapter_num="34" heading="Continuing Education.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A pharmacy technician registered to practice in Maryland shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Earn 20 hours of approved continuing pharmaceutical education within the 2-year period immediately preceding the registrant’s renewal application; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the registrant administers a vaccine in accordance with Regulation .03 of this chapter, earn 2 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education focused on vaccination as part of the 20 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education required for renewal.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For the first renewal period during which continuing education is mandatory for a pharmacy technician, the Board of Pharmacy shall require only 10 hours of continuing education requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A pharmacy technician shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Attest to the fact that the pharmacy technician has completed the continuing pharmacy technician education requirement on the required form; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Retain supporting documents for inspection by the Board for 4 years after the date of renewal for which the continuing education credits were used.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Accredited Continuing Education Providers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The following providers are approved for any programs they offer which otherwise qualify for continuing education credit:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Accreditation Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>All schools of pharmacy accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP); and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Out-of-State providers approved by a state board of pharmacy.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Procedures for Approval of Additional Programs.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Other providers shall initially request Board approval for individual programs.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An approved program is valid for a 2-year period.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The approved provider shall submit to the Board changes to the program that differ from the initial submission of information for Board approval.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Failure to submit to the Board changes to an approved program may result in the Board withdrawing approval of the program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Providers of continuing education shall furnish a certificate of completion to participants who qualify that includes the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Name of the participant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Name of the provider;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Description of course work;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Number of hours;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Date of completion; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Program identification number or provider number on the certificate.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Miscellaneous.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Credits may not be carried over from one continuing education period to another.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Board of Pharmacy may grant an exception from the continuing education requirements if the pharmacy technician presents evidence that failure to comply was due to circumstances beyond the pharmacy technician's control.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Falsifying continuing education records is grounds for disciplinary action under Health Occupations Article, §12-6B-09(2) and (3), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the Board provides a form for information, the pharmacy technician shall use the form to supply the requested information to the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>