61G19-9.001. Continuing Education for Biennial Renewal

(1) Except as noted below, prior to the end of each biennial certification period, all certificate holders shall complete a minimum of fourteen (14) classroom or interactive distance learning hours of continuing education courses, which shall include a minimum of two (2) hours of energy conservation, one (1) hour in the area of accessibility, (2) hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and, one (1) hour in the area of ethics as a condition of the biennial renewal of all certifications held by the certificate holder.

(2) “Interactive Distance Learning” means the delivery of educational offerings, webinars/seminars conducted over the internet, or courses via the internet and/or other interactive electronic media. Such offerings or courses shall be interactive, providing for the interchange of information between the student and the teacher, and shall provide for the registration, evaluation, monitoring, and verification of continuing education. The courses shall be accessible at locations and times determined by the student.

(3) “Interactive Distance Learning Hour” means fifty minutes of instruction presented in an alternative nonclassroom interactive distance learning setting, exclusive of any breaks, recesses, or other time not spent in instruction.

(4) A Webinar is an internet based seminar, presentation, lecture or workshop transmitted over the internet using video conferencing software providing the ability for the teacher and students to interact where the teacher can give, receive and discuss information with the students in real time and evaluate monitor and verify continuing education.

(5) “Laws and Rules” as used in subsection (1), above, means the study and examination of the related subject matter as is exemplified and contained within one (1) or more of the following: Chapters 320, 455, 468, 553, 471, 481, 489 (as it relates to licensure and scope of practice), and 713 (as it relates to permitting), F.S., and their associated rules in the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

(6) “Ethics” as used in subsection (1) above means the study and examination of the concepts of the subject matter contained within Chapter 112, Part lll, F.S., other ethical principles enumerated in Chapter 468, Part Xll, F.S., and other principles of professional ethics.

(7) Applicants who are first certified when there is more than one-half of their initial biennial certification period remaining, shall only be required to complete a minimum of seven (7) hours of continuing education courses, which shall include a minimum of one (1) hour in the area of accessibility, prior to the end of their initial biennial certification period as a condition of the initial renewal of all certifications held by the certificate holder.

(8) Applicants who are first certified when there is one-half or less of their initial biennial certification period remaining, shall not be required to complete any hours of continuing education courses as a condition of the initial renewal of all certifications held by the certificate holder.

(9) For those certificate holders who are certified in more than one certification category, completion of the minimum number of hours of continuing education course requirements as set forth above shall be sufficient for the biennial renewal of all certifications held by the certificate holder. All license numbers held by the certificate holder should be submitted by the certificate holder to the provider at the time of course registration.

Rulemaking Authority 455.2124, 455.2123, 455.213(7), 468.606, 468.627 FS. Law Implemented 455.2124, 455.2123, 455.213(7), 468.627 FS. History–New 5-23-94, Amended 5-21-95, 11-28-95, 6-9-97, 1-4-00, 4-23-01, 3-19-02, 6-10-02, 6-1-03, 1-10-07, 7-1-08, 12-31-19, 10-21-20.