21 NCAC 34B .0410          Accreditation of Sponsors and Programs

(a)  Accreditation of Sponsors. An organization desiring accreditation as an accredited sponsor of courses, programs, or other continuing education activities may apply for accredited sponsor status to the Board. The Board shall approve a sponsor as an accredited sponsor if it is satisfied that the sponsor's programs have met the standards set forth in 21 NCAC 34B .0409.

(b)  Presumptive Approval for Accredited Sponsors.

(1)           Once an organization is approved as an accredited sponsor, the continuing education programs sponsored by that organization are presumptively approved for credit and no application must be made to the Board for approval. The Board may at any time revoke the accreditation of an accredited sponsor for failure to satisfy the Rules in this Section.

(2)           The Board may evaluate a program presented by an accredited sponsor and, upon a determination that the program does not satisfy the requirements of 21 NCAC 34B .0409, notify the accredited sponsor that any presentation of the same program, the date for which was not included in the announcement required by 21 NCAC 34B .0411(e) below, is not approved for credit. Such notice shall be sent by the Board to the accredited sponsor within 30 days after the receipt of the announcement. The accredited sponsor may request reconsideration of such a decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Board within 15 days of receipt of the notice of disapproval. The decision by the Board on an appeal is final.

(c)  Unaccredited Sponsor Request for Program Approval. Any organization not accredited as an accredited sponsor that desires approval of a course or program shall apply to the Board. The Board shall administer the accreditation of such programs consistent with the provisions of 21 NCAC 34B .0409. Applicants denied approval of a program may request reconsideration of such a decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Board within 15 days of receipt of the notice of disapproval. The decision by the Board on an appeal is final.

(d)  Licensee Request for Program Approval. An active licensee desiring approval of a course or program that has not otherwise been approved shall apply to the Board. Applicants denied approval of a program may request reconsideration of such a decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Board within 15 days of the receipt of the notice of disapproval. The decision by the Board on an appeal is final.

(e)  Program Announcements of Accredited Sponsors. At least 30 days prior to the presentation of a program, an accredited sponsor shall file an announcement, on a form prescribed by the Board, notifying the Board of the dates and locations of presentations of the program, the sponsor's calculation of the CE credit hours for the program, and the cost of the program to attendees.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90‑210.23(a); 90-210.25(a)(5);

Eff. July 1, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. August 19, 2017.