The prohibited use of a certification or professional designation includes the following:

1. A. Use of certification or professional designation by a person who has not actually earned or is ineligible to use the certification or designation;
2. B. Use of nonexistent or self-conferred certification or professional designation;
3. C. Use of certification or professional designation that indicates a level of occupational qualifications obtained through education, training, or experience that the user does not have; and

4. D. Use of a certification or professional designation that was obtained from a designating or certifying organization that:

   1. (1) Is primarily engaged in the business of instruction in sales, marketing, or sales and marketing;
   2. (2) Does not have reasonable standards or procedures for assuring the competency of its designees or certificate holders;
   3. (3) Does not have reasonable standards or procedures for monitoring and disciplining it designees or certificate holders for improper or unethical conduct; or
   4. (4) Does not have reasonable continuing education requirements for its designees or certificate holders in order to maintain the designation or certification.

Authority: Insurance Article, §§2-109(a)(1), 10-212, 27-201, and 27-223, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 433)