7009.1 The Board shall approve only continuing education programs and activities that contribute to the growth of an applicant in professional competence in the practice of social work and which meet the other requirements of this section.

7009.2 The Board may approve the following types of continuing education programs, if the programs meet the requirements of § 7009.6:

1. (a) An undergraduate or graduate course given at an accredited college or university;
2. (b) A seminar or workshop; and
3. (c) An educational program given at a conference.

7009.3 The Board may approve the following independent home studies and distance learning continuing education activities:

1. (a) Serving as an instructor or speaker at a conference, seminar, or workshop;
2. (b) Publication of an article in a professional journal, publication of a book or a chapter in a book, or publication of a book review in a professional journal or bulletin;
3. (c) Internet courses, video courses, telecourses, videoconferences, and teleconferences offered by accredited colleges or universities, or pre-approved by the ASWB; and
4. (d) Independent study programs directly related to social work approved by accredited college or university schools of social work, local or national professional social work organizations, the ASWB, or the Board.

7009.4 No more than twelve (12) CEUs may be accepted in any renewal period, or for reinstatement or reactivation of a license, for approved independent home studies and distance learning continuing education activities.

7009.5 Independent study programs shall not be used to satisfy the continuing education ethics requirement.

7009.6 To qualify for approval by the Board, a continuing education program shall meet the following requirements:

1. (a) Be current in its subject matter;
2. (b) Be developed and taught by qualified individuals in consultation with a licensed social worker; and
3. (c) Meet one of the following requirements:
4. (1) Be administered or approved by:
   1. (A) A recognized social work, mental health, or human services organization that is approved by the Board; or
   2. (B) A college or university that is accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the United States

(2) Be submitted by the program sponsors to the Board for review no less than three (3) months prior to the date of the presentation and be approved by the Board.

7009.7 Requests for approval of continuing education programs received by the Board after the continuing education program has already occurred will not be approved or accepted.

7009.8 The Board may issue and update a list of approved continuing education organizations and programs.

7009.9 An applicant shall have the burden of verifying whether a program or activity is approved by the Board pursuant to this section prior to attending the program or engaging in the activity.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 5881 (July 25, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 10686 (December 9, 2005).