Chapter 4757-9 Continuing Education

(A) For marriage and family therapists and for independent marriage and family therapists, the requirements for license renewal are thirty hours of approved continuing professional education in the following program areas of marriage and family therapy training listed in section 4757.30 of the Revised Code: research, professional ethics, marriage and family studies, marriage and family therapy, human development, appraisal of individuals and families, systems theory, and supervision.

(B) For all renewals after January 1, 2004, three of the thirty hours must be taken in the area of legal and ethical responsibilities for marriage and family therapists.

HISTORY: Eff 4-10-04

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Rule authorized by: RC 4757.10

Rule amplifies: RC 4757.32, 4757.33

RC 119.032 review date: 4/10/09

For professional counselors and for professional clinical counselors, the requirements for license renewal are thirty clock hours of approved continuing professional education in the following program areas of counselor training listed in section 4757.22 of the Revised Code: human growth and development; counseling theory: counseling techniques; group dynamics, processing, and counseling; appraisal of individuals; research and evaluation; professional, legal and ethical responsibilities; social and cultural foundations; lifestyles and career development; clinical psychopathlogy, personality and abnormal behavior; evaluation of mental and emotional status; diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders; methods of intervention and prevention of mental and emotional disorders; treatment of mental and emotional disorders; supervision, and administration.

(A) For those professional clinical counselors with supervising counselor status, six of the thirty clock hours shall be in supervision.

(B) For all renewals three of the thirty hours shall be taken in the area of legal and ethical responsibilities for professional counselors.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/15/2007 and 09/20/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 7-3-97; 9-20-02

(A) Except as required by paragraph (B) of this rule, all persons who hold a license or certificate of registration in social work as a condition of renewal of their license or certificate of registration, shall complete thirty clock hours of continuing professional education in social work as defined in division (C) of section 4757.01 of the Revised Code. Content areas for continuing education may include: social work theory; social work methods; human development and behavior; social welfare and policy; social work values and ethics; social work research; social work supervision; social work administration; and/or social work with special populations.

(B) Social workers with a degree from a program related to social work, as defined in rule 4757-19-01 of the Administrative Code, as the continuing professional educational requirement of the first renewal of their license shall complete for credit a combined minimum of five semester hours, or eight quarter hours, in a social work theory course and social work methods course at an accredited educational institution. These courses shall be upper division or graduate level courses taken in social work departments in which the licensee received a grade of C- or higher. Fulfillment of this requirement is mandatory for the first renewal of their license. For subsequent renewals of their licenses, these individuals shall meet the requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule.

(C) For all renewals three of the thirty hours shall be taken in social work ethics.

(D) For those independent social workers with supervising status, three of the thirty clock hours shall be in supervision.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/15/2007 and 09/20/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 7-3-97; 9-20-02

A “clock hour” is sixty minutes spent in a program meeting the requirements for renewal of a license or certificate of registration issued by the board. Clock hours exclude refreshment breaks, receptions and other social gatherings, and meals that do not include an acceptable program.

(A) Fifteen clock hours will be granted for one academic semester hour. Ten clock hours will be granted for one academic quarter hour.

(B) Ten clock hours will be granted for a journal article qualifying under rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code. Thirty clock hours will be granted for a book qualifying under rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Credit may be awarded for first time presentations at the rate of 1.5 hours for every hour of the actual, board approved, presentation, up to ten hours per renewal period.

(D) The number of clock hours granted for a program offered by an approved provider will be determined by the definition of clock hour in this rule.

(E) An individual may earn up to fifteen hours of continuing professional education per renewal period in distance learning credit as defined in paragraph (A)(11) of rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/15/2007 and 09/20/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 7-3-97; 7-10-00; 9-20-02

The goals of the board’s continuing professional education requirements are to assist licensees: in maintaining and expanding professional competence and expertise, in becoming aware of new professional issues and developments; and in providing responsible, quality and competent service to clients and community. Continuing education to promote personal growth of the licensee will not be accepted.

Continuing education credits may be obtained in several ways: attendance at programs offered by approved providers, approved programs, post-approved programs, publications as cited in paragraph (B) of rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code and presentations as cited in paragraph (C) of rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code. The board or its designee will approve providers, programs, and offer post-program approval under the following guidelines.:

Any individual or business providing continuing education courses for this board’s licensees shall comply with federal law title III of the Americans with disabilities act “ADA”. Continuing education programs shall be offered in locations and in a manner, which are accessible to persons with disabilities, or offer alternative accessible arrangements for such persons. Individuals or businesses who hold provider status or are approved to provide individual programs are required to provide auxiliary aides and services that are necessary to ensure equal access to the goods, services, facilities, privileges or accommodations that it offers unless an undue burden or a fundamental alteration would result. Issues on undue burden or disability accommodations should be addressed to the federal department of justice “ADA” technical assistance section. The technical assistance section can be reached through searching online for the contact number. In May 2007 the number was 800-514-0301 and online at www.ada.gov.

(A) Guidelines for continuing education program approval:

(1) Academic courses offered in accredited education institutions by counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy degree programs as defined in paragraphs (A) of rule 4757-13-01, (C)(1)(g) of rule 4757-19-01 and (A)(1) of rule 4757-25-01 of the Administrative Code, are automatically granted program approval. Transcripts and/or grade reports shall be used to document this training.

(2) Approved programs may be sponsored by departments of accredited educational institutions; national, regional, state, or local professional organizations or associations; public or private human service agencies or organizations; private consultants; or individuals. In order to obtain approved status from the board, a program shall meet the following requirements:

(a) The program shall be presented by competent individuals as documented by appropriate academic training and professionally recognized experience. Presenters should have an identifiable involvement with human services. In approving a particular presenter the board will be guided by the following range of presenter qualifications.

(i) Counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists with appropriate expertise in the content area will clearly be accepted.

(ii) Related professionals with the ability to connect content to counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy practice will usually be accepted.

(iii) Expert presenters with no apparent link to counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy, or related practice may or may not be acceptable based upon content to be presented and intended audience.

(iv) Presenters with no apparent professional qualifications nor link to social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or human services will not be accepted.

(v) Presenters providing training in practice areas that would require licensure shall show evidence of current licensure in Ohio or another state.

(b) The program shall meet the professional needs of the intended clientele, which shall include counselors, social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists.

(c) The program shall have a minimum duration of one clock hour.

(d) The program shall have written goals and objectives which are responsive to the needs of prospective counselor, social worker and marriage and family therapist attendees.

(e) The program shall be related to counseling, social work and/or marriage and family therapy content areas as listed in rules 4757-9-01, 4757-9-02 and 4757-9-03 of the Administrative Code. Individuals or organizations seeking approval for programs with content which is not clearly related to these content areas for generalist theory or practice; or specifically referenced in counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy accredited academic training programs may be required to provide the following additional information to substantiate the direct applicability of the content to social work, marriage and family therapy, and/or counseling professionals.

(i) Explain and justify the content applicability to counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy theory or practice and the implications for generalist practice.

(ii) Program content in areas or subjects not specifically taught or referenced in counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy curriculum, in order to be approved, shall provide the board with copies of peer reviewed journal articles which validate the direct application to counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists of the theory or intervention which is the focus of the continuing education program.

(iii) Peer reviewed journals shall meet the following criteria: (a) have an independent editorial board, (b) be sponsored by a national professional society for counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology or psychiatry, and (c) have paid subscribers. Articles appearing in publications dealing with the specific program topic area will not constitute validation.

(f) The program shall be disseminated via appropriate instructional methods, such as lecture, group discussion, video, film, computer or other electronic means, written materials, or interactive teleconferencing.

(g) The program shall include an evaluation component directly related to its stated goals and objectives.

(h) The program shall be offered in a place and manner which is accessible to persons who are physically challenged.

(i) The program approval request shall be submitted for review, on a form designated by the board, at least sixty days prior to the scheduled program date. Program approval requests received on or after the date of the program shall be denied.

(j) The program’s promotional information shall state that program approval has either been applied for or has been granted, and to which license(s) renewal requirements the program will apply.

(k) The sponsor of the program shall provide program participants certificates of completion which contain the following information:

(i) The title and date(s) of the program and the board’s program approval number;

(ii) The name of the sponsoring agency or organization;

(iii) The name of the participant and the number of clock hours of continuing professional education earned by the participant;

(iv) The signature of the instructor or the official representative of the sponsoring organization;.

(v) The hours of ethics, distance learning and/or supervision included in the program if any; and

(vi) A blank space on the certificate of completion in which the participant may place their registration or license number.

(B) Guidelines for provider approval:

(1) Approved provider status for newly approved providers will be granted for a one-year period and is subject to renewal for two year periods if the provider meets the requirements of this rule.

(2) The board may refuse to renew the approved status of any provider who fails to comply with the requirements of this rule. Approved provider status may be withdrawn for cause.

(3) Programs offered by a provider while that provider does not have approved status shall not be accepted by the board toward fulfillment of license renewal requirements unless program approval for such programs was obtained as set forth in this rule.

(4) Provider status is automatically accorded to counseling degree programs, social work degree programs and , marriage and family therapy degree programs as defined in rules 4757-13-01, 4757-19-01 and 4757-25-01 of the Administrative Code, in accredited educational institutions. Transcripts or grade cards will serve as evidence of completed coursework. If the licensee audits an approved course, a letter from the professor will be required to verify actual number of hours of attendance, which will be used to determine hours of continuing education credit granted. Continuing education programs offered by these providers shall meet the requirements from paragraphs (B)(5)(c) through (B)(5)(j) of this rule and the following:

(a) Make application on a form as required by the board, which shall be approved for two years; and

(b) Apply for renewal of approved provider status two months prior to the desired two-year period with a synopsis of all programs provided during the prior two years.

(5) The board may grant approved status to providers not automatically approved in paragraph (B)(4) of this rule. Such providers may include but are not limited to: national regional, state, or local professional organizations, public or private human service agencies, private consultants or individuals. The applicant for approved provider status shall meet the following requirements:must

(a) Make application for approval status on a form provided by the board at least two months prior to the date of the first scheduled program offering. A list of proposed programs and program goals shall be included with the application.

(b) Submit to the board, no later than two months before the end of the probationary period, a synopsis of all programs during the previous ten months;

(c) Apply for renewal of approved provider status two months prior to the desired two-year period;

(d) Provide or arrange for appropriate educational facilities and instructional aids and offer programs and facilities that are accessible to persons who are handicapped.

(e) Have program presenters who have the professionally recognized skills to conduct the programs being offered in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule;

(f) Conduct programs that satisfy one or more of the program areas in counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy as defined in rules 4757-9-01, 4757-9-02 and 4757-9-03 of the Administrative Code and/or in counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy as defined in division (A), (C) or (H) of section 4757.01 of the Revised Code;

(g) Include an evaluation component in all programs offered;

(h) Maintains records of program content, presenter qualifications and individual participation, and summary of evaluation forms for five years and make such records available if the board requests them;

(i) Furnish to each participant a certificate of completion that includes the following information:

(i) Name of the provider and the approved provider number;

(ii) The name of the participant and a blank space on the certificate of completion in which the participant may place their registration or license number;

(iii) The title and date(s) of the program;

(iv) The hours of ethics, distance learning and/or supervision included in the program if any;

(v) The signature of the instructor or the official representative of the sponsoring organization; and

(vi) The number of clock hours of continuing professional education earned by the participant.

(j) Indicate, on any promotional literature disseminated, the provider number issued by the board and the license(s) renewal requirements to which the program(s) will apply.

(k) Each program is required to have review and or input by a counselor, social worker and/or marriage and family therapist as appropriate.

(l) Provider status shall not be approved for applicants that plan to provide less than five programs during the initial approval year nor renewed for applicants that plan to offer less than eight programs during a two-year renewal period. These applicants should request individual program approvals.

(C) Post program approval:

(1) Social work licensees or registrants shall apply on a form prescribed by the board for post-approval for relevant distance learning, out of state continuing professional education programs and coursework in related disciplines.

(2) Counselor licensees shall apply on a form prescribed by the board for post-approval for relevant distance learning, out of state continuing professional education programs and coursework in related disciplines.

(3) Licensees shall apply for post-program approval, on a form designated by the board, within ninety days of completing a program.

(4) Marriage and family therapists may apply on a form prescribed by the board for post-approval for relevant distance learning, out of state continuing professional education programs and coursework in related disciplines.

(5) To obtain a post-program approval, the licensee must provide the following:

(a) Documentation that the program presenter(s) met the requirements of paragraph (A)(2)(a) of this rule;

(b) A copy of the program brochure and other documentation, if necessary, to demonstrate that the program met the requirements of paragraphs (A)(2)(b) to (A)(2)(f) of this rule;

(c) A certificate of completion, transcripts, grade card, or signed statement from the presenter to demonstrate the licensee’s attendance at the program or course.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2009

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 9-26-88; 7-3-97; 7-10-00; 4-10-04

(A) Sources of continuing professional education shall be formally organized learning experiences with education as their explicit principal intent and which are oriented toward the enhancement of counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapy practice. The following are examples of appropriate formats for such learning experiences:

(1) “Institute” means a formal offering, usually in a series of meetings, for instruction and information in a particular area of counselor, social worker and/or marriage and family practice;

(2) “Seminar” means a small group of counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists who meet under expert leadership or resource persons. Participants prepare reports on some aspect of a problem which is discussed and analyzed;

(3) “Conference” means sessions of one or more days duration designed to serve a varying number of persons to hear different points of view on a central theme;

(4) “Staff development” means an educational program planned by an agency to assist its employees in becoming increasingly knowledgeable and competent in fulfilling role expectations within that agency. Although often used interchangeably with in service education, staff development frequently includes out-of-agency educational activities;

(5) “Symposium” means two or more specialists presenting information on a particular subject. A moderator introduces the subject and each speaker then summarizes and presides during a question and answer period;

(6) “Workshop” means a program designed to bring together individuals with a common interest and background to solve similar problems and to gain new knowledge, skills, and attitudes;

(7) “Plenary session” means an assembly designed for all participants;

(8) “Course” means a series of learning experiences with a specific content and offered for credit, non-credit, or audit by an accredited educational institution;

(9) “Short-term course” means an intensive sequence of learning activities offered regularly over a short period of time.

(10) “Teleconference” means the transmission of video information where there is an on-site moderator to lead a post-conference discussion and question and answer session.

(11) “Distance learning” means a formal education process, in which instruction occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not located in the same place. Distance learning adds technology to the learning environment by a variety of means. As this form of education has evolved with technology, it may be referred to as cyber learning, electronic learning, distance learning. For the purposes of these rules, the term distance learning refers to all non traditional methods of presentation except video-conferencing.

(12) “Video conferencing” means conducting a conference between two or more participants at different sites using computer networks to transmit audio and video data. For example, a video conferencing system works much like a video telephone. Each location has a video camera, microphone, and speakers with which to interact. As the two or more participants speak to each other, their voices are carried over the network and delivered to the other’s speakers, and whatever images appear in front of the video camera appear on the other participants’ monitor. Video conferencing allows two or more locations to sit in a virtual conference room and communicate as if they were sitting right next to each other.

(B) The board shall grant continuing professional education credit to licensees who author journal articles or books on subjects related to counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, and which meet the following requirements:

(1) Journal articles shall be published in refereed journals.

(2) Chapters authored by licensees in books acceptable under this rule shall be treated as journal articles.

(3) Reprints or republications of previously published materials either in name or substantive content are not acceptable as continuing professional education.

(4) Continuing professional education for publications having joint authorship will be divided equally among the authors.

(C) The board shall grant continuing education credit to individuals who conduct presentations on subjects related to counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy which meet the following requirements:

(1) Credit shall be granted for first time preparation and presentation of an in-service training workshop, a seminar or a conference presentation which is related to the enhancement of counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy practice, values, skills, or knowledge.

(2) Courses or presentations which are a part of or a requirement of, an individuals employment will not be accepted.

(D) The board may grant continuing education credit to individuals wishing to explore and develop independent learning opportunities which are related to counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy and which meet the following requirements:

(1) All independent options shall be pre-approved by the board. In order to receive approval, individuals shall submit an approval form to the board at least sixty days prior to beginning the study.

(2) The approval form shall be accompanied by the actual study materials, a statement of the goals and objectives of the study, an overview of the study methodology, and copies of the evaluation tool that will be used at the completion of the study.

(E) The board may grant continuing education credit for approved home study programs when the distance learning program’s sponsor can demonstrate to the board that:

(1) The program meets all of the requirements established in rule 4757-9-05 of the Administrative Code for approved programs and providers.

(2) The program sponsors shall have adequate security in place to assure that the individual who receives credit for the course is the individual who completed the program.

(F) The board may grant continuing education credit for appropriate college courses that are documented by passing grades of “C-” or above on undergraduate courses and “B-” or above for graduate courses from accredited educational institutions; audited courses require documentation by a letter from the professor noting the hours attended.

(1) Appropriate college courses are those that are at the level of the license for which CEUs are sought. Graduate level licensees shall generally be approved for graduate level courses directly related to their license type. Bachelor level licensees shall generally be approved for bachelor or graduate level courses directly related to their license type. Associate level registrants shall generally be approved for associate, bachelor or graduate level courses directly related to their license type. College courses taken at a lower level than qualifying degree may be submitted for post program approval per paragraph (C) of rule 4757-9-05 of the Administrative Code; applicants shall delineate how that course work is relevant to their practice.

(2) Appropriate courses are ones not previously taken unless updated due to passage of five years or more.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2009

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 7-3-97; 7-10-00; 4-10-04

Each licensee shall provide, in a manner prescribed by the board, evidence that the licensee has satisfied the continuing professional education requirements for renewal of a license or certificate of registration.

(A) Courses taken for credit at accredited educational institutions shall be verified by transcripts or grade cards. Completion of non-credit and audited courses shall be verified by certificates of completion or by signed statements from instructors.

(B) All other continuing professional education shall be documented by a copy of certificates of completion furnished by the provider. Such certificates shall contain the information required by paragraph (B)(5)(i) of rule 4757-9-05 of the Administrative Code. In addition, the licensee shall record his/her license or certificate number in the appropriate place on the certificate of completion.

(C) Copies of publications presented for continuing professional education shall be furnished to the board. In the case of journal articles, a copy of the journal’s page showing the names of its editorial review board shall be included to document that the journal is referred.

Effective: 09/20/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/15/2007 and 09/20/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4757.10

Rule Amplifies: 4757.33

Prior Effective Dates: 5-22-86; 7-3-97; 9-20-02