Wyo. Code R. 061-0001-5
Accountants, Board of Certified Public
Chapter 5: Continuing Professional Education (Now under Adm & Information)
Effective Date: 08/29/2003 to 09/23/2005
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 061.0001.5.08292003
(a) Effective January 1, 2002, for a program to qualify as acceptable continuing education, it must be a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of a permit holder in the practice of accounting. A program that promotes professional competence in the practice of accounting is defined as one that refers to the process, methods, or principles of accounting or directly relates to a permit holders's practice and is at or above the level of the permit holder's current knowledge. Selection of the appropriate courses will be at the discretion of the permit holder who is determined to be the best judge of his needs.
(b) Programs must be conducted in compliance with the Program Requirements and Program Standards as outlined in Section 3 of this Chapter. If called upon to do so by the Board, permit holders must be prepared to demonstrate that providers/sponsors have complied with the Program Standards.
(c) All permit holders are required to comply with the CPE requirements in the three (3) full calendar years immediately preceding the renewal of a renewed permit-to-practice by completing 120 acceptable continuing education credits.
(i) Effective 1/1/2002 all permit holders, resident and nonresident, are required to complete, at least once every three year continuing education period, a continuing education course (minimum two credits in length), approved by the Board, on the provisions of the Wyoming CPA Act and Wyoming's Rules and Regulations.
(ii) Effective 1/1/2004, within six (6) months of obtaining the initial permit-to-practice and every three year renewal period thereafter, each permit holder, resident and non-resident, will be required to complete an approved continuing education course on the provisions of the Wyoming CPA Act and Wyoming's Rules and Regulations.
(d) With the exception of the requirement stipulated in subsection (c)(ii) above, applicants renewing the initial permit are excepted from the continuing education requirements but shall comply at all subsequent continuing education periods.
(e) The continuing professional education requirement of a non-resident permit holder is considered met if the individual meets the continuing education requirement for renewal of a permit or license in the state in which individual's principal office is located. All non-residents must show compliance with subsection (c)(i) of this section. The non-resident must sign an annual statement verifying that the continuing professional education requirement has been met in another state. If there is no continuing education requirement in the non-resident's state, the individual must comply with the requirements as though he was a resident of Wyoming. Non-residents are subject to the audit provisions of this Chapter. The Board may verify the continuing professional education status of a non-resident.
(f) Permit holders should obtain an appropriate mix of group and individual courses that meet their individual needs. Permit holders are expected to complete course work that supports their general areas of practice.
(g) Inactive and Retired certificate holders are excepted from the continuing education requirements until such a time as they enter or re-enter practice under the provisions of this Chapter.
(h) The Board may grant exceptions to the continuing education requirements for good cause shown.
(a) Program Sponsor/Provider: The organization or individual responsible for setting learning objectives, creating the program materials to achieve such objectives, offering a program to participants and maintaining the documentation which demonstrates compliance with the Program Standards.
(b) Group Course: An educational program designed to permit a participant to learn a given subject through interaction with an instructor and other participants.
(c) Individual Course: An educational program designed to permit an individual to learn a given subject without interaction with others.
(d) Independent Study: An educational program designed to permit an individual to learn a given subject under a learning contract with a qualified provider/sponsor. The learning contract must set forth the anticipated inputs and outcomes as well as the number of credits to be recommended at the conclusion of the program.
(a) Group Programs: Group programs qualify as acceptable continuing education if they meet the general requirements of this Chapter, if an outline of the program is prepared in advance, if evidence of satisfactory completion is retained, and the program is at least one full credit period in length.
(i) The following are acceptable group programs: professional development programs of recognized national, state, and local accounting organizations; technical sessions at meetings of recognized national, state, and local accounting organizations and their chapters; university or college courses; formal organized in-firm and inter-firm education programs; and programs given by other organizations devoted to accounting or professional improvement.
(b) Individual Programs: these programs qualify as acceptable continuing education if they meet the general requirements of this Chapter, if evidence of satisfactory completion is retained, and include the following:
(i) Individual self-study courses which require registration;
(ii) Service as an instructor, lecturer, or discussion leader;
(iii) Published articles or books if they contribute to the professional competence of the individual; or
(iv) Independent study that is under the direction of a qualified sponsor/provider who has met the applicable program standards.
(c) Program Standards:
(i) Standard #1: Learning activities must be based on clearly defined, relevant learning objectives and outcomes that clearly articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be achieved by participants.
(ii) Standard #2: Learning activities must be developed in a manner consistent with the prerequisite education, experience, and/or advanced preparation of the participants.
(iii) Standard #3: Activities, materials and delivery systems must be current, technically accurate, and effectively designed. Providers, sponsors, or contractors must be competent in the subject matter. Competence may be demonstrated through practical experience or education.
(iv) Standard #4: Learning programs must be reviewed by qualified persons other than those who develop the program to assure the program is technically accurate, current, and addresses the stated learning objectives. This requirement is waived for single presentations such as lectures that are given once.
(a) Continuing Professional Education will be measured by program length with one fifty (50) minute period constituting one (1) credit. One-half credits (25 minute periods) are permitted after the first credit has been earned. Total credits will be determined based on the sum of segments with credits rounded down to the nearest half credit when the total is not divisible by 50 (180 minutes = 3.5 credits).
Credit is granted in the calendar year in which the course is attended or completed unless otherwise approved by the Board through the extension process. Credit granted through the extension process will be granted in one year only and cannot be duplicated.
(b) Instructors, Lecturers, Discussion Leaders or Speakers will earn credit for the actual presentation and an additional two credits for preparation. The maximum credit allowed in this category will be 50% of the total renewal requirement (no more than 60 credits in any three year period). Repetitious presentations will not qualify unless substantive changes which require significant additional research and study have been made to the course. No adjustments may be made due to expiring credit from previous years.
(c) Published Articles, Books, Etc.: Credit may be awarded for published articles or books for up to 25% of the renewal requirement (no more than 30 credits). Copies of articles or books must be provided.
(d) University or college courses: Each semester hour credit will equal fifteen (15) credits towards the requirement. A quarter hour will equal ten (10) credits. Credit earned for courses taken to obtain an initial baccalaureate degree that qualifies an individual to sit for the examination will not qualify under this section.
(e) Behavioral, Motivational, Other: No more than twenty-four (24) credits will be allowed in a three year renewal period for these types of courses which include non-accounting related software application courses.
(f) Independent Study: Credit in this area is limited to twelve (12) credits in any renewal period.
Section 5. Evidence of Completion - Retention. Primary responsibility for documenting the requirements rests with the permit-holder and evidence to support fulfillment of those requirements must be retained for a period of four (4) years after the completion of the course. Permit holders must retain an outline or program for each course and evidence of attendance. Satisfaction of completion of the requirements may be accomplished as follows:
(a) College or university courses: official transcripts verifying completion or other verified documentation from an institution.
(b) Individual or Independent Study: Certificates of completion or a signed statement from a vendor or sponsor and a copy of the applicable contract for Independent Study.
(c) Group Study: Sign in sheets, certificates of attendance, firm rosters attested to by the appropriate firm officials, or other third party verification, etc.
(d) Instructor/Lecturer: a signed statement from the course provider or other appropriate official verifying the services were provided must be obtained.
(e) Wyoming Statutes & Rules Course: Residents or those who do not report continuing education to another US Board of Accountancy may report completion of this course on the listing required in Section 7 of this Chapter or may submit a certificate of completion or certificate of attendance. Non-residents must submit a certificate of completion or certificate of attendance.
Section 6. Re-Entry.
(a) Prior to obtaining a permit to re-enter practice by an individual who has been excepted from the requirements or has otherwise not provided evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements, an individual must make appropriate application and show compliance with the continuing education requirements. The Board may waive the requirement to complete requirements in a given calendar year period and consider a combination of 120 hours completed within a three year period other than calendar years.
(b) Prior to obtaining a permit to re-enter practice, an individual who has been excepted or has otherwise not provided evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements shall document that an approved course on the provisions of the Wyoming CPA Act and Wyoming's Rules and Regulations has been completed within the three (3) years prior to re-entry.
Section 7. Controls & Reporting.
(a) As required by the Board, each resident or individual who does not report CPE to another state desiring to renew the permit to practice shall provide the following:
(i) The number of CPE credits completed as requested; and
(ii) A listing of the courses completed or to be completed prior to December 31 of the renewal year including the following information:
(A) sponsoring organization/provider/contractor; (B) location of program; (C) title of program or description of content; (D) course type (individual or group); (E) dates attended or completed; and (F) credit claimed.
Section 8. Extensions. The Board may, upon written request, extend the time within which permit holders must comply with the requirements of this Chapter for reasonable and just cause.
(a) An applicant may request a ninety (90) day extension at the time of renewal.
(b) Any request for an extension in excess of ninety (90) days must be submitted to the Board in writing and outline good cause for granting the extension.
(c) Any applicant who requests or is granted an extension of time under this section will be audited under Section 9 of this Chapter.
Section 9. Verification. The Board will verify on a test basis (to a maximum of 20% audit) information submitted by the permit holder.
(a) Permit holders, selected by random sample and pursuant to Section 8(c) of this Chapter, shall submit evidence of completion of all courses as requested by the Board.
(b) Non-resident permit holders shall comply when selected by submitting verification of completion of all requirements imposed by the state in which the individual's principal office is located.
(c) A permit holder must remedy any deficiency discovered as a result of an audit within one hundred eighty (180) days of formal notification by the Board. Deficiency credits shall qualify for credit in the initial reporting period and can not be duplicated for purposes of determining the applicable requirement in any other reporting period.
(d) Programs found to be out of compliance with the general standards may be disqualified and result in the requirement that the permit holder remedy any deficiency caused pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.