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<chapter num="05" heading="Continuing Education" title_num="30" subtitle_num="04">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter governs MIEMSS-approved continuing education courses for renewal of licensure or certification for Maryland EMS providers.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Continuing Education Courses Eligible for Credit under COMAR 30.02.02.07.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Skills and full refresher courses eligible for credit under COMAR 30.02.02.07 shall be provided under the requirements of this chapter by EMS Board approved:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>ALS education programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>BLS education programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>EMD education programs; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Programs listed in COMAR 30.04.05.02C which:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Complete an application approved by MIEMSS;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Have policies and procedures in place which address:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Student attendance;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Nondiscrimination and fair practices with regard to students, faculty, and program personnel;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>Selection of a medical director, coordinator, and faculty;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iv)">
            <text>Evaluation of the courses and evidence to demonstrate continuous quality improvement; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(v)">
            <text>Record maintenance for at least 5 years following course completion in a manner to prevent loss, destruction, or unauthorized use;</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Have adequate physical resources to effectively deliver courses including necessary equipment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Have sufficient financial resources to ensure complete course delivery for all enrolled students;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Have faculty or instructors approved by the medial director;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Utilize only emergency medical technician refresher or skills courses instructors who meet the requirements under COMAR 30.04.03.09; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Submit an annual report to MIEMSS in an approved format.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The period for which EMS Board approval for programs offering skills and full refresher courses is valid:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Coincides with the program approval for approved ALS, BLS, or EMD education programs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Is 5 years for other programs.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Other continuing education courses eligible for credit under COMAR 30.02.02.07 shall be provided by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>EMS operational programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>EMS Board approved proprietary education programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Entities accredited by the Emergency Numbers Systems Board; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Education programs listed in §A of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Distance Education.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Scope. Training programs may use distance education for cognitive components of continuing education leading to EMS relicensure or recertification if the program:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Demonstrates the methods of distance education used are educationally and technically appropriate for the content and audience; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Ensures the quality of the distance education method including:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Learning and teaching considerations;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Communication;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>Educational and technology design; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iv)">
            <text>Program and system management.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Distance education programs may apply for a course number and approval as outlined in Regulation .06 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Records and Reports.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Each continuing education program shall maintain accurate and appropriate records including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Student attendance records;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Names of instructors;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Presentation outlines;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Objectives;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Handouts; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>An evaluation mechanism.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Records shall be securely maintained to prevent loss, destruction, or unauthorized use for at least 5 years following course completion.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Instructors.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>All non-distance education continuing education courses shall be taught by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>An ALS faculty member of an ALS education program;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>An EMS Board approved proprietary education program instructor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>An EMS operational program medical director or designee who has experience or knowledge with the topic to be presented;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>An EMD, emergency medical technician, or EMR instructor; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>A certified MICRB emergency services instructor.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The following continuing education instructors shall teach skills at the level for which they are approved:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>EMD instructors may only teach EMD material;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>EMR instructors may only teach EMR material;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Emergency medical technician instructors may only teach BLS material;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>ALS faculty may only teach material they are approved to teach in their ALS education program; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>MICRB-certified instructors may only teach the material they are approved to teach with their education program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Approval and Course Number.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Each continuing education course shall have a number assigned by MIEMSS.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Except as provided in §E of this regulation, each person shall apply for approval of each continuing education course they propose to offer, and for a course number, by submitting a MIEMSS-approved application at least 14 days before the course begins to MIEMSS, Office of Education, Licensure, and Certification, Continuing Education, 653 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1528.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If MIEMSS determines that the continuing education course is in compliance with this chapter, MIEMSS shall assign:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The course's continuing education category;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The number of credit hours which can be obtained from the course; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>A course number.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Continuing education courses that are statewide or nationally recognized may be assigned a permanent course number by MIEMSS. A course with a permanent number may be offered without further approval from MIEMSS if it continues to meet the requirements of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Continuing education courses developed, designed, and used at or within an EMS operational program shall be coordinated through that EMS operational program. The request for MIEMSS approval of these courses shall be reviewed by the EMS operational program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>MIEMSS may deny or revoke course approval if a continuing education course is not in compliance with this chapter. The continuing education course shall be notified by mail of MIEMSS' decision. The notice shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>State the reasons for the decision;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Advise the continuing education course of appeal rights; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Otherwise comply with State Government Article, §10-207, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>MIEMSS personnel may attend course sessions for quality assurance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Other Courses.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Requests for approval of credit for continuing education courses for other courses attended shall be submitted to MIEMSS accompanied by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Documentation of successful completion; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Course content.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>CAPCE-approved continuing education shall be submitted to MIEMSS for approval.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Education Article, §13-516(d), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 15, 2001 (28:20 Md. R. 1784)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective September 27, 2007 (31:19 Md. R. 1434)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02A amended effective December 12, 2013 (40:24 Md. R. 2017)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective December 12, 2013 (40:24 Md. R. 2017)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06B amended effective April 9, 2018 (45:7 Md. R. 347)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>