<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 13A.14.09.07" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="14" chapter_num="09" heading="Training Vouchers and Reimbursement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Eligibility for a training voucher or reimbursement is limited to individuals participating in the credential program at level two or higher.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>During the 12-month credential period, a participant may receive not more than $400 in training vouchers and reimbursements to pay for the cost of approved core of knowledge training.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Application for Training Vouchers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An application for a training voucher shall be accepted only for a pre-service training, a Statewide conference, or a national conference.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Office shall accept an application for a training voucher only from an individual.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Not less than 60 days before the date of the training for which the voucher will be used, the individual shall submit to the Office a complete application, which includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An application form, supplied by the Office, that is completed and signed by the participant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documentation of the training for which the voucher will be used, which shall include a copy of the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Course catalog description;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Registration form; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Conference training advertisement.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Subject to funding availability, the Office shall, within 30 days of the receipt of the application, approve an applicant to receive a training voucher if the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Application is received not less than 60 days before the training date;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Application is complete;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Amount requested does not exceed $400; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Applicant is eligible to receive a voucher.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Application for Training Reimbursement.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual may request and receive reimbursement for training if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Training meets the requirements of the core of knowledge;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Training has been successfully completed not more than 180 days before the date of the request; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Individual has not received more than $400 in training vouchers or reimbursements within the individual’s current credentialing period.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Not more than 180 days after the successful completion of the training for which the reimbursement is sought, the individual shall submit to the Office a complete application, which includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An application form, supplied by the Office, that is completed and signed by the participant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documentation of the training for which the reimbursement is sought, which shall include a copy of the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Course catalog description or training advertisement;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Grade slip, transcript, or certificate of completion; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Receipt for payment indicating the amount paid.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Subject to funding availability, the Office shall approve an applicant to receive training reimbursement if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Application is received not later than 180 days after the completion of training;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Application is complete;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Amount requested does not exceed $400; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Applicant is eligible to receive a reimbursement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>If the applicant is eligible, the Office shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Award a training voucher to the applicant for the training and the amount specified on the application; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Issue instructions for payment of training reimbursement.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If the applicant is found ineligible for an award, the Office shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide written notification to the applicant of the determination of ineligibility; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Return to the applicant all application materials submitted.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Assignment of Awards.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Funding for training vouchers and reimbursement is provided to the Office on an annual basis.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Awards are assigned according to the incomes of all applicants who are eligible for an award, with higher priority given to lower income applicants.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Applicants whose annual family income does not exceed the current Maryland median income for their family size shall be given priority to receive training vouchers or reimbursement during that month.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Office shall make training voucher and reimbursement awards according to assigned award priority until:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An award has been made to each eligible applicant; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The funding allocation is exhausted.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Upon successful completion of the workshop, seminar, or other course for which a training voucher was issued and used, the participant shall provide to the Office a copy of the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Transcript;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Grade slip;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Certificate; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Documentation given by the instructor that indicates successful completion of the training.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>