1. (1) Continuing education programs sponsored by providers that are approved by the following organizations will automatically qualify for continuing education credit:

   1. (a) the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE);
   2. (b) programs that have been approved for Continuing Medical Education (CME) by a state Board of Medical Examiners or its equivalent; or
   3. (c) programs that have been approved for CME by an accredited CME provider.

2. (2) Pharmacists may receive CEU for programs other than those on the ACPE list of providers. Acceptable non-ACPE programs must focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to the pharmacist's professional knowledge and competence, and must:

   1. (a) directly relate to the scope of practice of pharmacy as defined in board statutes and rules;
   2. (b) review existing concepts and techniques;
   3. (c) convey information beyond the basic professional education;
   4. (d) update knowledge on the practice and advances in pharmacy; and/or
   5. (e) reinforce professional conduct or ethical obligations of the pharmacist.

3. (3) A maximum of 1.0 CEU (10 hours) of the hours required in ARM 24.174.2104 may be obtained through completion of non-ACPE programs. The programs must comply with (2), and:

   1. (a) be a minimum of 30 minutes in duration;
   2. (b) be provided by an individual(s) competent in the subject matter;
   3. (c) provide a statement and evaluation mechanism of educational objectives; and
   4. (d) provide program materials and/or an agenda, and a certificate of completion that includes the program date, hours of CEU, name of non-ACPE program provider, and name of program presenter.

4. (4) In the event a pharmacist is selected for audit, the pharmacist must demonstrate the continuing education meets the above standards and submit non-ACPE information with a form provided by the board, including:

   1. (a) program materials and/or an agenda; and
   2. (b) a certificate of completion.

Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-319, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 37-1-306, MCA

History: NEW, 1978 MAR p. 1740, Eff. 12/29/78; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; AMD, 1986 MAR p. 945, Eff. 5/30/86; AMD, 1998 MAR p. 3103, Eff. 11/20/98; AMD, 2002 MAR p. 178, Eff. 2/1/02; TRANS, from Commerce, 2002 MAR p. 904; AMD, 2003 MAR p. 109, Eff. 12/27/02; AMD, 2011 MAR p. 1148, Eff. 6/24/11; AMD, 2021 MAR p. 1671, Eff. 11/20/21.