<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.42.06.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="42" chapter_num="06" heading="Reporting, Documenting, and Auditing Compliance with Continuing Education Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A social worker who has completed the continuing education requirements shall attest to that on a form supplied by the Board as part of the application for license renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board shall audit a percentage of social workers, to be selected by the Board, for each renewal period.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>On request by the Board, a social worker shall provide full documentation of the continuing education units completed in accordance with the requirements of §D of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Documentation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A social worker shall provide to the Board:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An official transcript for continuing education units earned in a course taken for academic credit;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A certificate of completion for approved programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If a certificate of completion is not available, the following documentation, which may earn Category II continuing education units:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Date, location, and proof of attendance of the program presented;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Names and credentials of the presenters;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Agenda, learning objectives, and topics presented; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>An outline of the presentation;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A reprint of the social worker's completed publication;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If a certificate of completion is not available for an audiovisual instructional program or a home study course, proof of completion of the program or course, such as a post-test passing score or other satisfactory proof as determined by the Board;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Proof of presentations made; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Topics, dates, times, names of participants, location, and continuing education units earned on official letterhead in structured peer-case conferences and journal club activities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a certificate of completion as required by §D(1) of this regulation is not available, the social worker may not earn Category I continuing education units.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Record Retention for Active, Expired, or Inactive License.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Active Licenses.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A social worker with an active license shall retain records documenting completion of continuing education requirements for 3 years after the licensing renewal date for which the report of continuing education was submitted to the Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The documentation required in §E(1)(a) of this regulation may be requested by the Board at any time within that 3-year period.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Expired Licenses. An individual who has an expired, non-renewed license shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Retain records documenting completion of continuing education requirements for the 2 years immediately preceding the submission of an application for reinstatement; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>File with the Board documentation of completion of continuing education units at the time of reinstatement .</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inactive Licenses. An individual who has an inactive license shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Retain records documenting completion of continuing education requirements for the 2 years immediately preceding the submission of an application for reactivation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>File with the Board documentation of completion of continuing education units at the time of reactivation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Responsibility for Conducting the Audits.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Board staff or the Board’s designee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Review and evaluate the documentation submitted for the purpose of the audits;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify a social worker by electronic mail or first-class mail if continuing education requirements have not been met; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Report the findings to the Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Board may require a social worker to submit a copy of the purpose, objectives, and content areas from the continuing education program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Board may require a social worker to obtain additional continuing education units if a program is disapproved as a result of a review and evaluation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>