Standards for Continuing Education

202 CMR 6.08(1) through (3) are intended to assist a certified Weights and Measures Official in selecting appropriate continuing education activities. The overriding consideration in determining whether a particular continuing education activity qualifies for credit is whether it is an activity which contributes directly to the professional competence of a certified Weights and Measures Official. (1) Acceptable Subject Matter - Appropriate subject matter for continuing education purposes shall include, but shall not be limited to, one or more of the following: (a) unit pricing, conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 115A; (b) item pricing, conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94, § 184C and 184D; (c) price verification, conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 98, § 56D; (d) package and label checking, conducted pursuant to 202 CMR 3.00; (e) taximeters, conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 98, § 45; (f) vehicle tank meters, conducted pursuant to 202 CMR 2.00 and Handbook 44; (g) scales with a weight capacity greater than 100 pounds; (h) motor fuel sales act, M.G.L. c. 94, § 265(a) through (k); (i) motor fuel dispensers (j) small capacity scales with a weight capacity of 100 pounds or less. (2) Methods of Obtaining Contact Hours. Continuing education contact hours may be obtained as follows: (a) Through courses or seminars offered, sponsored or endorsed by the Division of Standards for Weights and Measures Officials. (b) Through courses or seminars offered or sponsored by educational institutions or other recognized entities which have relevance to the duties and functions of a Weights and Measures Official, and for which academic credit or continuing education contact hours are granted by that entity. Such courses or seminars shall be taught by faculty who possess adequate knowledge of both the principles of adult education and the particular subject matter being taught. (c) Through programs, workshops or conferences offered or sponsored by a recognized entity. Such programs, workshops or conferences shall be relevant to the duties of a Weights and Measures Official, shall have well defined objectives, and shall be conducted by faculty who possess adequate knowledge of both the principles of adult education and the particular subject matter being taught. (d) By teaching a particular course, conducting a seminar or workshop, delivering a lecture, or publishing an article or book relating to the duties of a Weights and Measures Official, for the first time. (e) Employee orientation or in-service training presentations concerning standard operating procedures specific to the employing agency or entity shall not be accepted for continuing education purposes. (3) Amount of Credit Earned. The amount of continuing education contact hours to be granted shall be determined as follows: (a) A certified Weights and Measures Official who attends a course or seminar offered, sponsored or endorsed by the Division of Standards shall earn a number of continuing education contact hours equal to the number of contact hours of instruction actually provided; (b) A certified Weights and Measures Official who attends a course or seminar offered or sponsored by an educational institution for which academic credit may be granted shall earn 15 continuing education contact hours for each semester hour of academic credit received, and shall earn eight continuing education contact hours for each semester hour audited; (c) A Certified Weights and Measures Official who attends a course or seminar offered or sponsored by a recognized entity other than an educational institution shall earn a number of continuing education contact hours equal to the number of contact hours of instruction actually provided; (d) A Certified Weights and Measures Official who attends a program, workshop, lecture or conference offered or sponsored by any recognized entity shall earn a number of continuing education contact hours equal to the number of contact hours of instruction or lecture actually provided; 6.08: continued (e) A Certified Weights and Measures Official who teaches a particular course or seminar, conducts a workshop, or delivers a lecture shall be given a number of continuing education contact hours equal to the number of contact hours of instruction or lecture actually provided; (f) A Certified Weights and Measures Official who publishes a book, article, chapter, or brochure relating to weights and measures for the first time shall earn nine continuing education contact hours for publishing a book; five continuing education contact hours for publishing a chapter of a book, or for publishing an article in a scientific or technical journal; and one continuing education contact hour for publishing an article in a newsletter published by a recognized entity.