<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 10.42.06.05" title_num="10" subtitle_num="42" chapter_num="06" heading="Authorized Sponsors and Approval of Continuing Education Programs.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Authorized Sponsors.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Authorized sponsors shall offer continuing education programs that meet the objectives set forth in Regulations .01B and .04 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The following are authorized sponsors:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>National, regional, or State accredited academic institutions offering academic courses or programs recognized as acceptable social work curriculum subject areas by the Council on Social Work Education;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>National, regional, or State social work associations including, but not limited to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Social work licensing boards;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The Association of Social Work Boards;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The National Association of Social Workers; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Non-social-work professional membership organizations providing programs that are relevant to the professional development of social workers;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Maryland State or county government entities that have registered using a Board approved form and attested to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Compliance with all requirements set forth in this chapter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Employment of Maryland licensed social workers;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Adherence to the objectives set forth in Regulation .01 of this chapter; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>The administration of all continuing education learning activities as required in Regulation .04 of this chapter;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Maryland nonprofit organizations that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Meet all of the requirements set forth in §A(2)(c) of this regulation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Provide the Board with documentation of current nonprofit status; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>International social work associations and accredited academic institutions including, but not limited to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Social work licensing boards which provide programs that foster improvement, advancement, and extension of the social worker’s professional skill, knowledge, and competence; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Non-social-work organizations providing programs that are relevant to the professional development of social workers.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Registration Process. The Board shall issue a notice of authorized sponsor status to a Maryland State or county government entity or Maryland nonprofit organization within 60 days if the applicant:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Completes the online Board approved registration form;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Submits to the Board all required documentation as set forth in §A(2) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Meets all of the requirements of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An authorized sponsor shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Include the following in the program announcement, flyer, or brochure:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The date, title, location, objectives, and content of the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The number of continuing education units that will be awarded by the sponsor on a certificate awarded to the social worker on completion of the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A statement that the named sponsor is authorized by the Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A statement that the named sponsor maintains responsibility for the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Ensure that a program certificate or letter of completion on official letterhead is provided and includes the following:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name of the social worker;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The date, title, and location of the program;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The number of continuing education units that are being awarded to the social worker on completion of the program only for actual time in attendance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>An authorizing name, signature, and contact information for the person responsible for awarding the certificate or letter of completion;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>A statement that the named sponsor is authorized by the Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>A statement that the named sponsor maintains responsibility for the program; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Maintain documentation of continuing education activity for 4 years, which may include pretests and post-tests, but shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Registration and attendance records;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Stated purpose;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Content of presentation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Time and length of activity; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Participant evaluations.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Board may audit authorized sponsors’ continuing education programs and activities at any time.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board shall establish a committee for continuing education that is responsible for recommending to the Board approval for proposed activities, sponsors, and programs offered by individuals or organizations that come under §A(2) of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Board shall maintain a roster of authorized sponsors.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All authorized sponsors shall inform the Board of a change in any of the following within 60 days of the change:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Sponsor name;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Primary and secondary contacts;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Mailing address;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Phone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Email address; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Dissolution or closure of the entity or organization.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Failure to notify the Board of a change as set forth under §C(1) of this regulation may result in withdrawal of authorization as a sponsor.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Withdrawal of Authorization as a Sponsor.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Authorization as a sponsor may be withdrawn from any authorized sponsor that fails to comply with the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Requirements of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Objectives set forth in Regulation .01 of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Criteria set forth in Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A sponsor that has had its authorization withdrawn may reapply for authorization by submitting:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A written request to the Board; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documentation that the sponsor is in compliance with the requirements and criteria set forth in this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>