61-31.501. Continuing Education Provider Requirements

(1) “Continuing Education Provider” means a person or legal entity who is registered pursuant to this rule chapter and who is responsible for conducting a continuing education course approved pursuant to this rule chapter. The continuing education provider is responsible for maintaining records for four years.

(2) Approval of Continuing Education Providers:

(a) Provider approval is valid until May 31 of odd numbered years and must be renewed prior to expiration. An apporoved education provider may renew the approval, whether active or inactive, by paying an Education Provider Biennial Approval Renewal fee of $125.00.

(b) An applicant who submits form DBPR MRS 0703, “Continuing Education Course Provider,” effective Aug 2019, incorporated herein by reference, which may be obtained at www.myfloridalicense.com or by contacting the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783 or at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10860. Applications for continuing education course provider approval must submit the Education Provider Approval fee of $125.00 with the completed application.

(c) Any applicant who applies to become a continuing education course provider will be approved as a course provider upon meeting applicable requirements.

(3) Continuing Education Course Provider Obligations:

(a) To maintain status as a continuing education provider, the provider must comply with the requirements of sections 455.2177, 455.2178, and 455.2179, F.S.:

1. Require each licensee to complete the entire course or seminar in order to receive credit for the course.

2. Provide the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation provider number on all course advertisements.

3. Furnish each licensee with an individual certificate of attendance containing the licensee’s name, license number, provider name, provider number, course name, course number, date of the course completion and the total number of hours successfully completed in each subject.

4. Resolve reporting conflicts with the licensee by the expiration date of the training course.

5. Report one education credit for each hour of classroom or interactive distance learning instruction. An “hour of classroom or interactive distance learning instruction” requires no less than fifty (50) minutes of instruction or participation.

6. Any changes in the course provider name, address or telephone number must be submitted in writing to the Department, within 30 days of such change.

(b) The continuing education provider shall not offer any training courses if the provider status is expired or under discipline.

(c) If the continuing education provider status is revoked by the Department, the provider cannot reapply to be registered as a provider for two years from the date of the Final Order revoking the registration.

(d) The Department retains the right and authority to audit and/or monitor programs and review records and course materials given by any continuing education provider approved pursuant to this rule. The Department shall reject individual programs given by a continuing education provider if the provider disseminates any false or misleading information in connection with the educational programs, or if the continuing education provider fails to conform to and abide by the rules of the Department.

Rulemaking Authority 455.2035, 455.213, 455.2177, 455.2178, 455.2179, 468.8412, 468.8424 FS. Law Implemented 455.2123, 455.213, 455.2177, 455.2178, 455.2179, 468.8412, 468.8424, 559.79 FS. History– New 1-30-14, Amended 10-8-19.