Division of Professions Bureau of Education and Testing

Division of Professions Bureau of Education and Testing Robyn Barineau, Chief Marque Woodard, Continuing Education Unit Manager 1

About the Bureau of Education and Testing • The Bureau of Education and Testing (BET) provides continuing education (CE) and exam support to the numerous Boards, Divisions, and professions regulated by the Department. • The CE Unit is responsible for processing CE course and provider applications. 2

What is 100% CE Compliance Monitoring? • CE providers and courses are approved by the Department or the Board. • Providers report course completion through the Department’s online reporting tool. • Licensees are advised that they must complete their required Board-approved CE to renew their licenses. • Licensees are able to monitor their reported CE course completion through their portal accounts. • Professions not participating in the 100% CE compliance monitoring rely upon an audit of a sampling of licensees to determine CE compliance. 3

Licensee Notifications and Support • Licensees are sent an email notification of their CE shortfall. Licenses will not be renewed if required CE is not reported to the Department. • Licensees are able to monitor reported CE on their portal account. • Should CE not have been reported to the Department and a licensee has a copy of their course completion certificate from a Board-approved provider and course, the certificate can be forwarded to the Department for manual upload and assignment to their licensure record. • Licensees are sent an email notification if their renewal payment is received and their required CE has not been reported to the Department. 4

Continuing Education Unit • The Continuing Education Unit monitors compliance with CE requirements, including prelicensure and post-licensure education. Additionally, the unit processes applications for education courses and providers and administers CE audits. • The Department has been providing 100% compliance CE monitoring for over 15 years to most of the DBPR professions. 5

Professions that Utilize 100% CE Compliance Monitoring 100% Compliance Monitoring • Asbestos • Barbers • Building Code • CAMs • Construction • Cosmetology • Electrical • Home Inspector • Landscape Architecture • Mold Related Services • Real Estate Appraiser Audits • Accountancy • Veterinary Medicine • Architecture and Interior Design 6

Provider and Course Approval Methods The following methods are sometimes combined depending upon the Board’s requirements: • BET processors • Board meeting review • Consultant review • Board member review • Board office staff review 7

CE Providers • Include professional associations, universities/colleges/technical schools, private companies, including CPA firms, and individuals. • Notification is forwarded regarding upcoming providership and course renewals. • Reminders are sent throughout the renewal period of outstanding renewal requirements. • The Board has disciplinary authority over providers who do not properly report CE course completion to the Department. 8

Provider Approval Process • Provider submits application with required information. • BET processor reviews the application ensuring all requirements are met. The application is then forwarded to the Board, if required. • Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter which includes the provider’s name, provider number, license number, expiration date and passcode to report through the online reporting portal. • Both applications are found in the Forms and Publications section under Quick Links (CPE Sponsor Package). 9

Course Approval Process • Provider submits the course application(s)with the required information. • BET processor reviews the applications ensuring the course descriptions meet the qualifications for the category requested for the course. • Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter containing the course title, course number, course license number, expiration date and information regarding reporting course credits to DBPR. 10

CPA Continuing Education • CPA is one of three Boards that rely upon audits to provide information regarding CE compliance. • Currently, some CPA providers seek approval for their courses even though this process is not required by the Board. These courses are approved by BET staff. • Providers send CPA Ethics course applications directly to the Board for processing. The Board then reviews the Ethics course applications to determine whether they should be approved. 11

Continuing Education Unit Provider Approval • • • Provider applications are approved in house by BET Provider submits application BET receives the application BET processor processes application ensuring all requirements are met Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter containing the provider’s name, provider number, license number, expiration date and passcode for reporting through the online reporting portal. Course Approval • • • CPA courses are approved in house by BET Provider submit course application(s) Bet receives the application BET processor processes applications ensuring the course descriptions meets the CPE guideline qualifications for the category requested for the course. Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter containing the course title, course number, course license number, expiration date and information regarding reporting course credits to DBPR. 12

Continuing Education Unit Provider Approval • • • Provider applications are approved in house by BET Provider submits application BET receives the application BET processor processes application ensuring all requirements are met Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter containing the provider’s name, provider number, license number, expiration date and passcode for reporting through the online reporting portal. Course Approval • • • CPA courses are approved in house by BET Provider submit course application(s) Bet receives the application BET processor processes applications ensuring the course descriptions meets the CPE guideline qualifications for the category requested for the course. Once approved, the provider receives an approval letter containing the course title, course number, course license number, expiration date and information regarding reporting course credits to DBPR. 13

UPDATE

CE Provider Reporting Portal • On the portal, providers have access to a User Guide and a Technical Guide for the reporting tool. • Also, there is information on the portal regarding CE reporting errors, definitions and solutions. • Providers can also contact the Department for additional assistance. 20

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this presentation. We look forward to answering any questions you may have. 29