Continuing Professional Education

(A) Continuing professional education will be accepted for training and education activities approved by the Department related to alcohol and drug abuse counseling in the counselor core competency function areas including those areas delineated in 105 CMR 168.006(B)(2) Eligibility Requirements. The Department shall issue guidelines and stipulate the number of continuing professional education hours required for each licensed category. (B) The Department (or designee) shall issue guidelines for all continuing professional education programs and providers, including the eligibility requirements for distance learning and education. Approved continuing professional education that meets license renewal requirements shall include (but not be limited to) a curriculum with specified goals and objectives (published in advance), appropriate credentials of the presenter, and written evaluation to be completed by participants. (C) At each license renewal two-year cycle, a random sample of applicants for license renewal will be asked to submit the required documentation to verify that they have met this requirement. Credit hours are neither retroactive nor cumulative, and must be earned within the biennium for which they are claimed. Required documentation of continuing professional education shall include: the name of the participant completed by the authorizing agent of the sponsoring organization; (2) the name of the training and trainer; (3) the specific dates attended and the number of hours.