Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-5-6-.09 - Program Instructor Application, Certification, and Recertification Requirements

(1) Certification required. No person may instruct in a Program without first being certified by the Department.

(2) Application for Instructor Certification.

(a) All applications for Instructor Certification shall be submitted on forms prepared by the Department, following a procedure prescribed by the Department.

(b) Instructor applications shall include all information and fees; and shall be truthful, accurate, and complete.

(c) All Applicants must undergo a national and state fingerprint-based criminal background check utilizing a method prescribed by the Department.

(d) Instructor applicants shall submit to the Department the following materials in addition to the completed Instructor application:

1. A notarized Consent for Background Investigation Form;

2. An official transcript from an accredited college/university or a copy of the applicant's degree, or high school diploma or GED, whichever is applicable;

3. Proof of successfully completing the Department-designated Program Instructor training course. The Department-designated curriculum provider will set a fee to cover the cost of the course, which shall be paid by the Applicant or the Program to which he or she is applying.

(e) The Department may require any Applicant for Instructor Certification to submit additional information or verification that is reasonably related to making a determination for Certification.

(f) After approval of a completed application evidencing that the Applicant meets the qualifications set forth in Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-5-6-.06, and upon verification that the Applicant has successfully completed the Program Instructor training course, the Department shall certify the Applicant as a Program Instructor.

(3) Recertification requirements.

(a) An Instructor shall remain certified for a period up to four years; provided, however, that he or she remains in compliance with Program Requirements.

(b) Applications for Instructor recertification shall be submitted to the Department no more than 60 days, and no less than 30 days, prior to the expiration date of the existing Certification. In order to be recertified, a Program Instructor shall provide proof to the Department that he or she has instructed at least four classes during his or her four-year period of Certification.

(c) Each Program Instructor shall complete a minimum of 32 hours of continuing education in alcohol and drug training or group facilitation training sponsored or approved by the Department every four years. A minimum of 16 hours shall be in Department-designated refresher courses specific to Program components. Each Program Instructor shall complete a minimum of 16 of the required 32 hours of continuing education training biannually and provide proof thereof to the Department on a biannual basis.

(d) No Instructor whose Certification has expired shall instruct until a completed recertification application has been submitted to and approved by the Department. If the Instructor Certification has expired and has remained expired for a period of more than one year, a new application is required and the Certification process, as outlined by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-5-6-.06, shall be followed.

(e) The Department may require any Instructor applying for recertification to submit additional information or verification that is reasonably related to making a determination of recertification.

(4) If, within 90 days of the time that a person applies for issuance or renewal of his or her certification as an instructor, he or she has undergone a background investigation for issuance or renewal of his or her certification for another program regulated by the Department, he or she shall not be required to submit new fingerprints, and the Department shall utilize the criminal history information obtained from that investigation in considering the person's eligibility for issuance or renewal of his or her certification as an instructor.

(5) The Department may deny or reject any application if it is determined that the applicant has violated any provision of this chapter.

(6) Presenting false material information on an application shall preclude any individual, partnership, or corporation from obtaining a license and, if discovered after the issuance of the license, shall be grounds for cancellation or revocation of that license.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-5-6-.09

O.C.G.A. §§ 40-5-82, 40-5-83.

Original Rule entitled "Program Instructor Application, Certification, and Recertification Requirements" adopted. F. July 24, 2009; eff. August 13, 2009. Amended: F. June 12, 2024; eff. July 2, 2024.