A.
PROGRAMS
THAT QUALIFY FOR CPE CREDIT
A specific program will qualify as acceptable CPE if it is a
formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional
competence of a licensee in public practice. It is left to the individual
licensee to determine the course of study to be pursued.
1.
ACCEPTABLE PROGRAMS. The
following are deemed to qualify as acceptable CPE programs:
a. Professional development programs of state
and national professional accounting societies or institutes;
b. Accredited university or college credit or
non-credit courses;
c. Formal
correspondence or other individual study programs. Such programs must require
registration and provide evidence of satisfactory completion.
d. Formal organized in-firm education
programs;
e. Meetings of the
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA); and
f. Other formal, organized educational
programs.
B.
PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CPE CREDIT
1. Any program or course specifically
designed to prepare for the taking of the CPA examination.
2. Committee service with professional
organizations.
C.
STANDARDS FOR CPE PROGRAMS
1.
STANDARDS FOR CPE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
a. The program must contribute to the
professional competence of participants.
b. The program must be developed by persons
qualified in the subject matter and in instructional design.
c. Program content must be current.
d. The program must be reviewed by a
qualified person other than the preparer to ensure compliance with the above
standards.
2.
STANDARDS FOR CPE PROGRAM PRESENTATION
a. Instructors, facilitators and speakers
must be qualified both with respect to program content and teaching methods
used. They are considered qualified if through formal training and experience
they have obtained sufficient knowledge to instruct the course
competently.
b. The number of
participants and physical facilities must be consistent with the teaching
method specified.
c. The program
must include some means for evaluating quality.
3.
STANDARDS FOR CPE REPORTING
a. Licensees in group or self-study programs
must document their participation including:
(i) sponsor;
(ii) title and/or description of
content;
(iii) date(s);
(iv) location; and
(v) number of CPE contact
hours.
b. In order to
support the reports that may be required of licensees, the sponsor of group or
self-study programs must retain following the completion of any program:
(i) record of participation;
(ii) outline of the course (or
equivalent);
(iii)
date(s);
(iv) location;
(v) instructor(s); and
(vi) number of CPE contact hours. An outline
is a schedule of activity listing major topics of discussion that is prepared
in advance.
c. Licensees
attending a NASBA meeting must document the meeting agenda(s).
4.
SUBJECT MATTER
a. The following subject matters are
acceptable without limitation:
i. Accounting,
Auditing and Ethics
ii. Specialized
Accounting Areas of Industry
iii.
Administrative Practices
iv.
Taxation
v. Management
Services
b. Credit for
the following subject matters may not exceed 50% of the hours required by this
chapter:
i. Communication Arts
ii. Mathematics, Statistics, Probability and
Quantitative Applications in Business
iii. Economics
iv. Business, Securities and Administrative
Law
v. Human Resources
Policies
vi. Computer Software
Applications
Areas other than those listed above may be acceptable if the
licensee can demonstrate to the Board that they contribute to the licensee's
professional competence.
5.
MEASUREMENT
For purposes of this chapter, one hour is equal to 50
minutes of learning time.
6.
INSTRUCTORS
Credit as an instructor, discussion leader, or speaker will
be allowed for any meeting, program, or engagement provided that the session is
one that would meet the CPE requirements of those attending. An instructor,
discussion leader, or a speaker will be credited for the first presentation
only, and on a basis of 3 hours for each hour of class time. However, those
credits may not exceed 50% of the hours required by these rules. To the extent
a course or program has been substantially revised, the revised course shall be
considered a first presentation.
7.
PUBLICATIONS
Credit may be allowed for published articles and books
provided they contribute to the professional competence of the licensee. Credit
for preparation of such publications may be given on a self-declaration basis
of up to 50% of the renewal requirement. In exceptional circumstances a
licensee may request additional credit by submitting the article(s) or book(s)
to the Board with an explanation of the circumstances which the licensee feels
justify a greater credit.
8.
ASSISTANCE TO THE BOARD
The Board may look to recognized state or national
accounting organizations for assistance in interpreting the acceptability of
and credit to be allowed for individual courses.
D.
CERTIFICATION AND AUDIT
All licensees must certify at time of renewal completion of
the continuing professional education required by this chapter. The licensee's
certification is subject to audit as set forth in Chapter 13 of the rules of
the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation,
entitled "Uniform Rule for the Substantiation of Continuing Education
Requirements."
