NAC641B.189. Approval of program by Board; acceptable forms of program; unacceptable courses and programs.

     1. A program of continuing education that demonstrates the knowledge and competency of a licensee must be approved by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, to obtain the approval of the Board, a continuing education program must be limited in time, be interactive and provide independent verification that the licensee has successfully completed the program. A continuing education program that is not limited in time or interactive may be approved by the Board if the program meets specific criteria set forth by the Board. A continuing education program may be in the form of:

     (a) Workshops or conferences, including, without limitation, teleconferences;

     (b) Distance learning courses;

     (c) Home study courses;

     (d) A self-directed learning program which has been approved by the Board before the licensee begins the program;

     (e) Publication of an article or paper by the licensee in a professional journal or other publication that is approved by the Board;

     (f) A one-time presentation, not to exceed 15 hours, of an academic course, in-service training workshop or seminar by the licensee;

     (g) Successful completion of an academic course of instruction at a regionally accredited college or university;

     (h) Attendance by the licensee at a workshop or public hearing conducted by the Board; or

     (i) Any other kind of program or course if the Board has, at the request of the licensee wishing to take the program or course as continuing education, approved the program or course as a program of continuing education.

     2. A licensee may apply, if licensed as a licensed associate in social work or a licensed social worker, for not more than 15 hours of continuing education credit or, if licensed as a licensed independent social worker or a licensed clinical social worker, for not more than 18 hours of continuing education credit for distance learning courses, home study courses and self-directed learning programs during a 2-year period, except that the Board may approve additional hours of such continuing education if the licensee can demonstrate good cause for the approval of the additional hours.

     3. A licensee may apply, if licensed as a licensed associate in social work or a licensed social worker, for not more than 2 hours of continuing education credit or, if licensed as a licensed independent social worker or a licensed clinical social worker, for not more than 4 hours of continuing education credit relating to ethics for any period in which the licensee serves as a member of a committee or board of review that:

     (a) Considers issues or applies any policy, law or regulation relating to ethics; and

     (b) Is approved by the Board.

     4. The following courses and programs will be deemed unacceptable as a program of continuing education:

     (a) An orientation program for new employees.

     (b) An on-the-job training program presented by an agency whose primary purpose is to disseminate information on the policy or procedure of the agency.

     (c) A home study course that includes audio or video tapes which is not interactive, which is not limited by time and for which there is no independent verification of successful completion.

     (d) A program for self-improvement.

     (e) A distance learning course which is not interactive, which is not limited by time and for which there is no independent verification of successful completion.

     (f) A self-directed learning program:

          (1) Which is not interactive, which is not limited by time and for which there is no independent verification of successful completion; or

          (2) Which covers the same material as a previous program approved for the licensee for self-directed learning or which is not preapproved by the Board.

     5. As used in this section, “interactive” means any two-way communication in which each participant in the communication is able to interact in a manner which elicits or may elicit a response from a provider or any other participant in that communication. The term includes, without limitation, any discussion or homework. The term does not include any test that is conducted before or after a program of continuing education.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Exam’rs for Social Workers, eff. 11-28-89; A by R113-98, 1-13-99; R079-02, 1-9-2003; R122-06, 7-14-2006; R142-08, 2-11-2009)