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 or to develop general business skills, or to
develop skills such as in CPR or first aid, shall not be accepted.
Continuing education credits may be obtained in
several ways: attendance at programs offered by approved providers, approved
programs, and 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 shall approve
providers 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.
(A) The following meanings shall apply to
all continuing education rules promulgated by the counselor, social worker, and
marriage and family therapy board.
"Provider " or "Provider
Status" means an individual or entity granted approval to develop
continuing education program offerings without prior approval from the board
for each program offered. All continuing education offerings shall utilize the
same provider authorization number assigned by the board. A board licensed
individual shall review each continuing education program as noted on the
provider application or most recent renewal application on file with the
board.
(B) Requirements for continuing education programs offered by
approved providers:
(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. If
the licensee audits an approved course, a letter from the professor shall be
required to verify actual number of hours of attendance, which shall be used to
determine hours of continuing education credit granted.
Continuing education programs presented by
academic departments or programs of counseling, social work, or marriage and
family therapy are accepted by the board for continuing education credit
regardless of the provider status of the department or program.
(2) 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 shall be guided by the
following range of presenter qualifications.
(i) Persons licensed by
the board, or those holding similar licenses in other states, with appropriate
expertise in the content area may be accepted.
(ii) Related
professionals with the ability to connect content to the professions licensed
by the board counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy practice
shall usually be accepted.
(iii) Expert presenters
with no apparent link to professions licensed by the board, 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 the professions licensed by
the board shall 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 have a minimum duration of one clock
hour.
(c) The program shall have goals and objectives which are
responsive to the needs of licensees and attendees. Applications shall include
agendas with content and time frames for each session of the
program.
(d) 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.
Peer reviewed journals shall meet the
following criteria: (i) have an independent editorial board, (ii) be sponsored
by a national professional society for counseling, social work, marriage and
family therapy, art therapy, music therapy, psychology or psychiatry, and (iii)
have paid subscribers. Articles appearing in publications dealing with the
specific program topic area shall not constitute validation.
(e) 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.
(f) The program shall include an evaluation component directly
related to its stated goals and objectives.
(g) The program shall be offered in a place and manner which is
accessible to persons who are physically challenged.
(h) The program approval request shall be submitted for review,
in a format 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.
(i) 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 shall apply.
(j) The sponsor of the program shall provide program participants
certificates of completion on paper or electronically, 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, which may be legibly handwritten, 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.
(k) The sponsor shall ensure that the program conforms to the
planned hours of attendance, attendance certificates are given to attendees
after the end of the program and that any late arrivals or early departees are
given certificates accurately reflecting their actual times of
attendance.
(l) The sponsor shall maintain records of program content,
presenter qualifications and individual participation, and individual
evaluation forms for five years and make such records available, if the board
requests them.
(C) Guidelines for provider approval:
(1) Continuing education
providers authorized to provide continuing education as defined in paragraphs
(F) and (G) of this rule and paragraph (F) of rule 4757-9-06 of the
Administrative Code are ineligible to apply for provider approval as described
in this rule.
(2) Approved provider status for newly
approved providers shall be granted for up to a four year period and is subject
to renewal for up to a four year year period if the provider meets the
requirements of this rule. At its discretion, the board may establish an
initial approval period or renewal period of less than four years based on the
experience and performance of the provider.
(3) Providers may use
their own approval numbers for presentations by this board's staff
members, for example ethics or licensing presentations.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) The board may grant provider status,
which may include but are not limited to: degree programs, 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:
(a) Make application for approval status in a format required 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) Apply for renewal of approved provider status two months
prior to the expiration date;
(c) Provide or arrange for appropriate educational facilities and
instructional aids and offer programs and facilities that are accessible to
persons who are handicapped;
(d) Have program presenters who have the professionally
recognized skills to conduct the programs being offered in accordance with
paragraph (A) of this rule;
(e) Conduct programs that satisfy one or more of the program
areas in the professions licensed by the board as defined in rule 4757-9-01 of
the Administrative Code and/or as defined in division (A), (C) or (H) of
section 4757.01 of the Revised Code;
(f) Include an evaluation component in all programs
offered;
(g) Maintain records of program content, presenter qualifications
and individual participation, and individual evaluation forms for five years
and make such records available, if the board requests them;
(h) The provider shall give program participants certificates of
completion on paper or electronically, which contain the information in
paragraph (B)(2)(j) of this rule.
(i) Indicate, on any promotional literature disseminated, the
provider number issued by the board and the license(s) renewal requirements to
which the program(s) shall apply;
(j) Each program shall have review and or input by a licensee of
the board.
(k) The provider shall ensure that the program conforms to the
planned hours of attendance, attendance certificates are given to attendees
after the end of the program and that any late arrivals or early departees are
given certificates accurately reflecting their actual times of
attendance;
(l) Providers may purchase and/or contract for the provision of
continuing education programs that are not co-sponsored provided the provider
retains control of the contracted or purchased program;
(m) Applicants shall use the form prescribed by the board for
approval of the continuing education provider status. Applicants shall pay a
fee set in rule 4757-1-05 of the Administrative Code for each provider
application submitted or renewed. Initial provider status is valid for a period
to be established by the board upon status approval.
(D) Guidelines for continuing education
program advertising: All advertising by approved continuing education providers
shall clearly indicate the target audience of any program being advertised. A
provider or sponsor offering continuing education programs shall
include:
(1) Approved for
counselors and/or social workers and/or marriage and family therapists each
listed as appropriate;
(2) If ethics or
supervision, then include: Approved for number of hours of ethics and/or number
of hours of supervision each listed as appropriate; and approved for counselors
and/or social workers and/or marriage and family therapists each listed as
appropriate.
(E) The board has the right to have a board employee attend
unannounced any approved continuing education program offered under this rule.
The staff member or board member attending the program may not claim continuing
education credit for the course without paying the requisite fee, if
any.
(F) Association approval status:
(1) National associations
or associations of state regulatory boards composed of licensed members or
stakeholders of the counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, art
therapy, and music therapy professions that provide or approve continuing
education for use in multiple jurisdictions, or Ohio-based associations
representing the professions licensed by the board may be approved by the board
for association approval status, at which time the association is recognized as
a provider.
(a) National associations may be approved by this board to
approve continuing education programs, providers, or providers and
programs.
(b) Ohio-based associations may apply to approve programs
only.
(c) Association approval status is approved by the board upon
recommendation of the appropriate professional standards
committee.
(d) The board may approve an assocation for an indefinite
period. At its discretion, the board may establish an initial approval period
of between one and three years.
(e) Association approval status may be restricted for cause
or revoked for cause. In such instances when the board intends to restrict or
revoke an approval status, the association will be provided an initial
ninety-day period, which may be extended at the board's discretion for a
one time sixty day period, in which to respond. During the response period the
association may continue to approve programs or providers. All restrictions,
non-renewals and revocations must be approved by the board upon a
recommendation of the appropriate professional standards committee.
Associations subject to a restricted approval status, non-renewal, or
revocation may reapply to the board for full approval status after one
year.
(f) Associations applying for association approval status
must do so in a form provided by the board and pay any fees assessed by the
board for continuing education approvals as defined in rule 4757-1-05 of the
Administrative Code.
(g) The association must agree to approve programs and
providers in accordance with rule 4757-9-01.
(2) Continuing education provided by
associations with association approval status will be accepted to meet
continuing education renewal requirements without further action by the
board.
(G) Programs sponsored by or offered by
the following agencies of the state of Ohio or state of Ohio constitutional
offices shall be considered approved for continuing education credit provided
the subject matter of the training is relevant to the professions licensed by
the board: chemical dependency professionals board, state medical board of
Ohio, department of developmental disabilities, bureau of workers compensation,
department of education, department of health, department of job and family
services, department of mental health and addiction services, board of nursing,
state board of psychology, department of rehabilitation and corrections,
department of public safety, department of youth services, attorney general of
Ohio, and supreme court of Ohio.
(1) By a vote of the
board state agencies or constitutional offices not listed in paragraph (G) of
this rule may be approved to provided continuing education programs.
(2) The board may
restrict licensees from claiming continuing education credits for programs
provided by any agency listed in paragraph (G) of this rule or approved under
paragraph (G)(1) of this rule if the board determines a program or programs
offered by such an agency do not provide continuing education appropriate to
the scopes of practice defined in agency 4757 of the Administrative Code.
(3) Certificates for
programs offered may include the following statement to denote acceptance by
the board: "Accepted for continued education credit by the Ohio CSWMFT
Board under rule 4757-9-05 of the Administrative Code."
(H) Programs sponsored by or offered by,
or providers approved by the following associations, shall be considered
approved for continuing education credit provided the subject matter of the
training is relevant to a profession licensed by the board: association of
social work boards, national association of social workers (national), national
association of social workers - Ohio chapter, national board for certified
counselors, American counseling association, Ohio counseling association,
American association of state counseling boards, American association for
marriage and family therapy, association of marriage and family therapy
regulatory boards, art therapy certification board, buckeye art therapy
association, American art therapy association, certification board for music
therapists, American music therapy association, or association of Ohio music
therapists.
(1) By a vote of the
board, associations or organizations not listed in paragraph (H) of this rule
may be approved to provide or sponsor continuing education programs, or to
approve other continuing education providers.
(2) The board may
restrict licensees from claiming continuing education credits for programs
provided by an organization or association listed in paragraph (H) of this rule
or approved under paragraph (H)(1) of this rule if the board determines a
program or programs offered by such an agency do not provide continuing
education appropriate to the scopes of practice defined in agency 4757 of the
Administrative Code.
(3) Certificates for
programs offered may include the following statement to denote acceptance by
the board: "Accepted for continued education credit by the Ohio CSWMFT
Board under rule 4757-9-05 of the Administrative Code."
(I) Post program approval:
(1) Effective December
26, 2023, the board has discontinued review of continuing education programs
for post program approval except for those described in paragraph (I)(2) of
this rule. Programs not offered by an approved provider as described in this
rule or rule 4757-9-06 of the Administrative Code are not eligible for
continuing education credit. Programs taken in person in the state of Ohio that
are not preapproved by the board or offered by an approved provider, cannot be
submitted as continuing education.
(2) The licensee shall provide the
following in a manner required by the board:
(a) If a book, a copy of the front matter indicating the title,
author, and year of publication. Self-published books do not qualify for
continuing education credit.
(b) If a journal article, the first page(s) of the article that
includes the article title, abstract, and name of the journal.
(c) If a presentation of an of in-service training workshops,
seminars and/or conference presentations, a copy of the presenation or training
agenda; or
(d) If an in-person, out of state conference or
training:
(i) Documentation that
the program presenter(s) met the requirements of paragraph (B)(2)(a) of this
rule; and
(ii) A copy of the
program brochure and other documentation to demonstrate that the program met
the requirements of paragraphs (B)(2)(b) to (B)(2)(f) of this rule;
and
(iii) A certificate of
completion, transcripts, grade card, or signed statement from the presenter to
demonstrate the licensee's attendance at the program or
course.
(e) If a college or university course, a transcript showing
the completed course, including the number of credit hours.
