21 NCAC 08G .0409         COMPUTATION OF CPE CREDITS

(a)  Group Activity. CPE credit for a group activity shall be given based on contact minutes.

(b)  Completing a College Course. CPE credit for completing a college course in the college curriculum shall be granted based on converting the number of credit hours the college gives the CPA for completing the course into minutes. One semester hour of college credit shall be 750 CPE minutes. No CPE credit shall be given to a CPA who audits a college course. No more than 50 percent of the CPE credits required for a year shall be credits for completing a college course.

(c)  Self Study Activity. CPE credit for a self-study activity shall be given based on the number of minutes needed to complete the activity as determined by the sponsor.

(d)  Preparing or Presenting a CPE Activity. CPE credit for preparing or presenting a CPE activity for CPAs shall be given based on the number of minutes spent in preparing or presenting the activity. Preparing includes activities such as authoring or conducting a technical review. No more than 50 percent of the CPE credits required for a year shall be credits for preparing for or presenting CPE activities. CPE credit for preparing or presenting an activity shall be allowed only once a year for an activity prepared or presented more than once in the same year by the same CPA.

(e)  Authoring a Publication. CPE credit for published articles and books shall be given based on the number of minutes the CPA spent writing the article or book. No more than 25 percent of a CPA's required CPE credits for a year shall be credits for published articles or books. An article written for a CPA's client or business newsletter shall not receive CPE credit.

(f)  Instructing a College Course. CPE credit for instructing a college course above the level of accounting principles shall be given based on the number of credit hours the college gives a student for completing the course, using the calculation set forth in Paragraph (b) of this Rule. No more than 50 percent of the CPE credits required for a year shall be credits for instructing a college course.

(g)  Nano Learning Activity. CPE credit for Nano Learning, a tutorial activity without interaction with a real-time instructor that is designed to permit a participant to learn a given subject through electronic media including technology applications/processes, computer-based or web-based technology, shall be based on the number of contact minutes. Nano Learning is not a group program. This CPE activity shall be offered by a CPE sponsor registered with NASBA pursuant to Rule .0403(c) of this Section.

(h)  Blended Learning Activity. A Blended Learning program offers participants learning in multiple formats or delivery methods. Activities can include lectures, discussion, guided practice, games, case studies, and simulation. The varied delivery methods include Group Live, Group Internet Based, Self Study, or Nano Learning. The primary component of the program may be concurrent (a group program) or nonconcurrent, allowing the participant to control a portion of the time and place of the learning. CPE credit for Blended Learning shall be based on the number of contact minutes incorporated in all the learning formats in the Blended Learning activity. This CPE activity shall be offered by a CPE sponsor registered with NASBA pursuant to Rule .0403(c) of this Section.

(i)  No more than 50 percent of the CPE credits required for a year shall be credits claimed under Paragraphs (b), (d), and (f) of this Rule.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 93‑12(8b);

Eff. May 1, 1989;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2015; January 1, 2014; February 1, 2012; January 1, 2007; January 1, 2004; February 1, 1996; April 1, 1994; March 1, 1990;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. October 28, 2014;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2020.