Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0660-10-.04 - QUALIFYING CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

(1) In order to qualify for credit toward satisfaction of the requirements of rule 0660-10-.03, a continuing education program must be a structured program which contributes directly to the professional competence of the licensee.

(2) Programs may be considered by the Board for the award of continuing education credit and qualified for approval if:

(a) An outline is prepared by the sponsor and preserved;

(b) The content of each presentation is well organized and presented in a sequential manner;

(c) The program is at least one (1) hour in length;

(d) A record of registration of attendance is maintained by the sponsor;

(e) The program contributes directly to the advancement and extension of professional knowledge and skill in the practice of funeral science;

(f) The program is conducted by individuals considered experts in the subject matter of the program by reason of their education, training or experience;

(g) The program is available to all funeral directors and embalmers licensed in this state; and

(h) The program addresses one or more of the following subjects: ethics, communications, sociology, psychology, funeral directing, business law, business management, funeral service law, funeral merchandising, accounting, embalming, restorative arts, cremation, microbiology, pathology, chemistry, anatomy or any other subject approved by the Board.

(3)

(a) Program sponsors shall submit a program schedule and outline to the Board, which must be received by the Board not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the program. Such schedule and outline shall include the following information:

1. The name of the course;

2. The name of the sponsoring organization;

3. The objectives of the program;

4. The length (in hours) of the program and the date(s) on which the program will be presented;

5. The names, educational backgrounds and relevant qualifications of all instructors or speakers participating in the program;

6. The location(s) at which the program will be presented; and

7. The name and address of the person authorized by the sponsor to certify attendance.

(b) The Board may grant leave to amend a program schedule and outline upon receipt of a proper application therefor. Such application must be submitted pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) of this rule, and must be received by the Board not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the program. Such amendment shall identify the program to which it refers and shall contain a description of the purpose and substance of the amendment. In evaluating any such application for amendment, the Board may consider:

1. The occurrence of any material change of law or fact after the submission of the original program schedule that affects the subject matter of the program;

2. The desirability of adding any particular speaker or means of instruction which had been unavailable at the time the original program schedule was submitted;

3. The inability of a scheduled speaker to participate due to reasons unforeseen at the time of the submission of the original program schedule; or

4. Any other reason not foreseeable at the time of the submission of the original program schedule which would result in undue hardship to sponsors, producers, customers or other participants unless the program were amended.

(4)

(a) Upon receipt of a program schedule and outline as required by this rule, the Board shall notify the program sponsor of approval or disapproval of the program no less than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of the program. Any notice of disapproval shall state the reason(s) therefor.

(b) Upon receipt of any proposed amendment to a program schedule and outline submitted in accordance with this rule, the Board shall notify the program sponsor of approval or disapproval no less than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the program. Any notice of disapproval shall state the reason(s) therefor.

(5) Subject to compliance with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this rule, continuing education hours for credit may be obtained in programs offered in the following formats:

(a) Cassette and audiovisual presentations;

(b) Professional seminars;

(c) Courses at accredited mortuary schools;

(d) Programs sponsored by professional associations and organizations recognized by the Board;

(e) Correspondence courses which require an examination;

(f) Continuing education television or video series; or

(g) Other program formats approved by the Board.

(6) Sponsors of continuing education programs shall be responsible for obtaining from the Board approval for their respective continuing education programs prior to the dates on which such programs are to be presented.

(7) Continuing education credit allowed under T.C.A. § 62-5-604 for service by a licensee as an instructor, discussion leader, or speaker will not be allowed for repeated presentations by the licensee unless the presentation has been substantially revised.

(8) The Board may maintain a list of sponsors providing programs which satisfy the continuing education requirements for licensees. This information may be made available to any licensee upon request.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0660-10-.04

Original rule filed May 28, 1999; effective August 11, 1999. Amendment filed August 29, 2002; effective December 27, 2002. Amendments filed December 12, 2018; effective 3/12/2019.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-5-203, 62-5-601, 62-5-603, 62-5-604, 62-5-605, and 62-5-606.