Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Application for Training (OMB No. 0920-0017), Expiration 05/31/2016)—Revision—Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

CDC offers public health training to professionals worldwide. Employees of hospitals, universities, medical centers, laboratories, state and federal agencies, and state and local health departments apply for training to learn up-to-date public health and health care practices. CDC is accredited by multiple accreditation organizations to award continuing education for public health and healthcare professions.

CDC requires health professionals seeking continuing education (learners) to use the Training and Continuing Education Online (TCEO) system to establish a participant account by completing the TCEO New Participant Registration form. CDC/CSELS relies on this form to collect the information needed to coordinate learner registration for training activities including classroom study, conferences, and e-learning.

The TCEO Proposal is a form course developers will use the TCEO system to apply for their training activities to receive continuing education accreditation through CDC. Introduction of this mechanism will allow course developers to electronically complete and submit continuing education proposals.

CDC requests OMB approval to continue to (1) continue to collect information through the TCEO New Participant Registration form to grant public health professionals the continuing education they need to maintain professional licenses and certifications, create a transcript or summary of training at the participant's request, generate management reports, and maintain training statistics; and (2) establish a new electronic information collection, the TCEO Proposal that allows CDC or CDC partner course developers to electronically submit training and continuing education proposals for accreditation.

CDC's TCEO system provides an efficient and effective way for CDC to comply with accreditation organization requirements. Accreditation organizations require a method of tracking participants who complete an education activity and several require collection of profession-specific data. Some accrediting organizations require a permanent record that includes the participant's name, address, and phone number to facilitate retrieval of historical information about when a participant competed a course or several courses during a time period. These data provide the basis for a transcript or for determining whether a person is enrolled in more than one course. CDC uses the email address to verify the participant's electronic request for transcripts, verify course certificates, and send confirmation that a participant is registered for a course. Collection of demographic and profession-specific data through the TCEO New Participant Registration allows CDC to comply with accreditation organization requirements.

The TCEO Proposal will expedite submission, review, and accreditation processes and provide CDC with the information necessary to meet accreditation organization requirements, accredit, and effectively manage training activities. Examples of data to be collected for CDC to process continuing education proposals and meet accreditation organization requirements includes name, email address, phone number, and organization name.

These forms do not duplicate request for information from participants or course developers. Data are collected only once per new registration or once per course.

These information collection instruments have provided, and will continue to provide CDC with the information necessary to manage and conduct training activities pertinent to its mission to strengthen the skills of the current workforce through quality, accredited, competency-based training.

The annual burden table has been updated to reflect (1) discontinuance of the National Laboratory Training Network Registration form, (2) an increase in learners seeking continuing education, particularly through e-learning activities (16,667 burden hours), (3) the introduction of the new TCEO Proposal (600 burden hours), for a total 17,267 burden hours. There are no costs to respondents.