LAC 46:XXV.1303. Continuing Education Approval Organizations

A. The board may delegate approval of continuing education programming to one or more continuing education approval organizations. B. Any provider of social work services, professional social work organization, or school of social work approved by the Council for Social Work Education may apply to the Board to become a continuing education approval organization, provided that such organization must have a significant and continual affiliation with the social work profession to be approved. 1. The application must be submitted in writing on a form provided by the Board. 2. The application must be accompanied by no fewer than three letters of reference, on a professional letterhead and bearing an original wet or electronic (not typewritten) signature, from any of the following, none of which may be directly personally related to the applicant nor hold a personal or professional stake in the outcome of the application: a. a provider of social work services; b. a professional social work organization; or c. a school of social work approved by the Council for Social Work Education. 3. The application must succinctly state: a. the nature and purpose of the organization; b. the organization’s connection to the social work profession; c. the timeframe for the organization to make a decision on continuing education submissions; and d. the fee structure the organization will use and the fees the organization will charge to evaluate continuing education submissions. 4. The application must be signed by the chief executive officer or agency head of the organization. 5. The application must include the name, credential, credential number, and curriculum vitae or resume of the social worker who will review and approve or deny continuing education submissions. C. Only a licensed, certified, or registered social worker may review and approve or deny continuing education submissions on behalf of a continuing education approval organization. Clinical continuing education offerings may only be approved by a licensed clinical social worker. D. Continuing education approval organizations must comply with this Chapter in evaluating continuing education submissions, including, without limitation, §1305 relating to approved educational offerings and assessment of continuing education programs. E. The board’s delegation of authority under this section shall be effective for three calendar years from the date the board approves the application. F. The board may revoke its delegation of authority under this section to any continuing education approval organizations at any time and for any reason. G. The board shall not discriminate against any person or organization seeking to become a continuing education approval organization based upon race, religion, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, differing abilities, or political beliefs. No continuing education approval organization shall discriminate against any person or organization seeking approval of continuing education programming based upon race, religion, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, differing abilities, or political beliefs. H. The board may audit any continuing educational approval organization by requiring the organization to submit documentation to the Board on all programs the organization approved in a collection year. I. The board may charge an application fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for applications and reapplications to become a continuing education approval organization.