Rule 46.8 - Continuing education requirement(1) Units of continuing education credits as approved by the board must be completed by each reporter in active practice in Iowa. Failure to comply with the continuing education requirements will be grounds for disciplinary action under rule 46.11. In order to comply, a reporter must meet the requirements of rule 46.8(1) (a) or 46.8(1)(b): a.Continuing education requirements.(1) A reporter must obtain at least three continuing education units (CEUs) within a three-year period by attending or participating in seminars, workshops, or courses, integrally relating to the field of shorthand reporting, and which contribute directly to the professional competency of the shorthand reporter. One hour of continuing education credit equals .1 CEU.(2) Continuing education activities must be conducted by individuals who have special education, training, and experience, and the individuals should be considered experts concerning the subject matter of the program. Attendance at any approved national, regional, or state seminar will be acceptable.(3) CEUs earned in any one reporting period may be carried over for credit in one or more succeeding reporting periods, constituting the three-year period previously provided, but cannot be carried over to any successive three-year period.(4) The annual reporting cycle will run from October 1 through September 30. Continuing education requirements and the three-year reporting cycle for newly certified shorthand reporters will commence October 1 of the year following the year of their certification.b.Alternative requirements. In lieu of the requirements set forth in rule 46.8(l)(a), the board will accept satisfactory evidence of compliance with the current continuing education requirements of the National Court Reporters Association for retention on its Registry of Professional Reporters or the National Verbatim Reporters Association for retention on its Registry of Certified Verbatim Reporters.(2) The board may, in individual cases involving disability, hardship, or extenuating circumstances, grant waivers of the minimum education requirements or extensions of time within which to fulfill the same or make the required reports. No waiver or extension of time will be granted unless written application is made and signed by the reporter. The board may, as a condition of any waiver granted, require the applicant to make up a certain portion or all of the minimum educational requirements waived by such methods as may be prescribed by the board.(3) Reporters who are not actively engaged in practice may obtain from the board a certificate of exemption from continuing education requirements. Application for such exemption must contain a statement that the applicant will not engage in the practice of shorthand reporting in Iowa without first complying with the regulations governing reinstatement after exemption.(4) Inactive practitioners who have been granted a certificate of exemption from these regulations or who have been suspended must, prior to engaging in the practice of shorthand reporting in Iowa, satisfy the following requirements for reinstatement: a. Submit written application for reinstatement to the board upon forms prescribed by the board together with a reinstatement fee of $50.b. Furnish in the application evidence of one of the following: (1) Active shorthand reporting in another state of the United States or the District of Columbia and completion of continuing education requirements that are the substantial equivalent to the requirements set forth in these rules for court reporters in Iowa as determined by the board.(2) Completion of CEUs sufficient to satisfy education requirements for the period of inactivity if seeking reinstatement within three years of being granted a certificate of exemption.c. Successfully passing the written knowledge test set forth in rule 46.5(2), if it was not passed within a three-year period immediately prior to submission of such application for reinstatement.R. Brd. Exam. Short. Report. 46.8
Court Order June 5, 2008, effective 7/1/2008; 12/13/2017, effective 1/1/2018; court order September 19, 2022, effective 10/1/2022; court order November 13, 2023, effective 1/1/2024.