61E14-4.002. Continuing Education Provider Approval

(1) A continuing education provider is a person or entity approved pursuant to this rule to conduct continuing education courses for community association managers.

(2) Any person or organization desiring approval or renewal as a Community Association Management continuing education provider shall apply to the Department in writing upon forms prepared and furnished by the Department, a link to which can be found at Rule 61-35.020, F.A.C.

(3) Each provider application shall contain the following information, and shall be accompanied by the following documentation and other information as required by the Council:

(a) The name, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of a contact person who will fulfill the reporting and documentation requirements for provider approval. The provider shall notify the Council of any change of contact person within ten (10) days of the actual change.

(b) The identity and qualifications of all instructors who will be presenting courses during the period of providership. These qualifications at a minimum shall include instructional experience and:

1. A bachelor’s degree and 2 years experience in the subject matter being taught; or

2. An associate’s degree and 4 years experience in the subject matter being taught; or

3. Six years experience in the subject matter being taught.

Should additional instructors be added during the period of providership, the provider shall notify the Council in writing of the new instructor’s qualifications at least 30 days prior to actually conducting the course.

(c) The appropriate continuing education provider application fee pursuant to subsection 61E14-3.001(13), F.A.C.

(4) Continuing education provider status shall be valid from the date of approval until May 31 of every odd numbered year. Providers may renew their provider status within 90 days of May 31 of the odd numbered year. Those seeking renewal of provider status must reapply in a format acceptable to the Department and submit the appropriate renewal fee pursuant to subsection 61E14-3.001(14), F.A.C. Providers who fail to renew their provider status on a timely basis in accordance with this rule shall not offer or advertise a course as an approved course for continuing education. Renewal of provider status shall be for a two year period until May 31 of the next odd numbered year.

(5) Once approved, providers shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) When advertising approved courses, providers shall disclose the course approval number and the number of contact hours assigned by the Council and the course subject area. Providers shall not advertise courses as approved courses until they are actually approved by the Council.

(b) Providers shall maintain a system of recordkeeping which provides for storage of approved course offerings information.

(c) Records of individual courses shall be maintained by the provider for 6 years and shall be available for inspection by the Council and the Department or the Department’s designee.

(d) An attendance record shall be maintained by the provider for 6 years and shall be available for inspection by the Council and the Department or the Department’s designee. Providers must electronically provide to the Department a list of attendees taking a course within five (5) business days of the completion of the course. For home study courses, the provider must electronically supply the list of those individuals successfully completing the course by the 5th of the month following the calendar month in which the provider received documentation and was able to determine the successful completion of the course by the individual. The list and a certificate of attendance provided to the participant shall include the provider’s name, the name and license number of the attendee, the date the course was completed and course approval number and the total number of hours successfully completed in each type of continuing education credit granted as described in subsection 61E14-4.001(3), F.A.C. If the instructor is receiving credit as set forth in subsection 61E14-4.001(5), F.A.C., the instructor shall be listed as an attendee with the same information required above. Providers shall maintain security of attendance records and certificates.

(e) All information or documentation, including electronic course rosters, submitted to the Council or the Department shall be submitted in a format acceptable to the Council and the Department. Failure to comply with the time and form requirements will result in disciplinary action taken against the provider. No provider may reapply for continuing education provider status until at least two (2) years have elapsed since the entry of the final order against the provider.

(f) Providers shall assure that sales presentations shall not be conducted during, immediately before or after the administration of any courses approved pursuant to this rule.

(6) A continuing education provider initially approved during the last 90 days prior to May 31 of an odd numbered year, shall not be required to reapply as a condition for renewing provider status.

(7) The Council shall deny continuing education provider status to any applicant who submits false, misleading or deceptive information or documentation to the Council.

(8) The Council retains the right and authority to audit courses offered by any provider approved pursuant to this rule.

(9) The Council shall rescind the provider status or reject individual courses offered by a provider if the provider disseminates any false or misleading information in connection with the continuing education course, or if the provider or its instructor(s) failed to conform to and abide by the rules of the Council or the Department or are in violation of any of the provisions of Chapter 468, Part VIII or 455, F.S.

(10) The Council shall utilize expert groups or individuals as appropriate in implementing these rules.

Rulemaking Authority 468.4315(2), (3) FS. Law Implemented 455.2179, 468.4337 FS. History–New 5-14-98, Amended 3-13-00, 2-5-01, 3-19-01, Formerly 61-20.5081, Amended 10-17-10, 12-5-22.