Section 0780-05-06-.11 - Continuing Education(1) "Continuing education hours" means an hour consisting of not less than fifty (50) minutes of instruction or presentation acceptable to the commissioner or as otherwise noted in this rule. Continuing education hours received through post-secondary education institutions will be awarded according to the following table: (a) One (1) university semester hour of credit.....................15 continuing education hours(b) One (1) university quarter hour of credit........................10 continuing education hours(2) A licensee seeking regular biennial renewal shall, as a prerequisite for renewal, show that he or she has completed no less than twelve (12) hours of continuing education during the two (2)-year period immediately preceding renewal.(3) One (1) of the twelve (12) continuing education hours each licensee obtains for renewal shall be in ethics.(4) Activities eligible for continuing education hours include:(a) Professional meetings (no maximum), including short courses, workshops, clinics, conferences, symposia, seminars, field days, scientific presentations and distance education.(b) Self-directed study, including reading of scientific journals and books with a 2,500-word professional article equaling one continuing education hour. Self-directed study may account for a maximum of three (3) continuing education hours per two (2)-year period.(c) Soil science-related community service (2 continuing education hours maximum per renewal period), including serving on committees and community service related to the profession of soil science. Such service shall be deemed to be equal to two (2) continuing education hours per two (2)-year period.(d) Authoring or preparation of educational materials; this credit may be claimed only on the renewal period on which the educational materials are initially prepared and/or presented. Such work shall be deemed to be equal to two (2) continuing education hours per two (2)-year period.(5) Each licensee shall, when making application for renewal, submit on the prescribed form a signed statement setting forth the number of continuing education hours that he or she has completed during the reporting period. Licensees shall retain documentation evidencing their continuing education hours for at least five (5) years subsequent to the date of submission.(6) The commissioner may verify information licensees submit under this rule at the commissioner's discretion upon written notice to the licensee.(7) If any continuing education hours claimed in a statement submitted by a licensee pursuant to paragraph (5) of this rule are disapproved, the commissioner shall notify the licensee of the reason for disapproval. The commissioner may allow a specified period of time, up to six (6) months, for correction of the deficiencies noted.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-05-06-.11
Original rule filed April 20, 2011; effective July 19, 2011; effective 10/23/2014.Authority: T.C.A. § 62-18-211.