Wyo. Code R. 061-0001-5
Accountants, Board of Certified Public
Chapter 5: Continuing Professional Education
Effective Date: 08/25/2009 to 08/25/2010
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 061.0001.5.08252009
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ()
(a) A program qualifies as acceptable continuing education if it is a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of a certificate holder in the practice of accounting or is directly related to the holder's field of business and verification of attendance or completion can be provided by a third party.
(b) A program contributes to professional competence if it maintains or improves the the certificate holder's current professional knowledge. Selection of the appropriate courses will be at the discretion of the certificate holder and may be selected from any of the following fields of study:
(i) at least 66% (80 of the 120 credit requirement or 40 of the 60 credit requirement) of the credits shall be earned in fields of study that directly relate to a holder's field of business in the following Code A areas:
(ii) The balance of credits may be earned in the following Code B fields of study:
demonstrate the course does not qualify under an identified field but does contribute to professional competence.
(c) 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, certificate holders must be prepared to demonstrate that providers/sponsors have complied with the Program Standards.
(d) Certificate holders are required to comply with the CPE requirements in the three (3) full calendar years immediately preceding the renewal year as set forth below:
| Rolling CPE Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewal Year | First Calendar Year | Second Calendar Year | Third Calendar Year |
| First Renewal | 0 | ||
| Second Renewal | 60 credits in this two year period | ||
| Thereafter | 120 credits in this three year period |
(i) With the exception of the requirement stipulated in sub-section (iv)(A) below, certificate holders renewing the initial active certificate are excepted from the continuing professional education requirements;
(ii) To renew an active certificate for the second time, one must complete 60 credits in the two calendar years immediately preceding the renewal year;
(iii) To renew an active certificate thereafter, one must complete 120 credits in the three calendar years immediately preceding the renewal year.
(iv) All certificate holders who maintain their principal place of business in Wyoming are required to complete, as scheduled by the Board and at least once every three year continuing education period, four credits of continuing education in ethics as approved by the Board. Credits may be earned at separate courses but all four credits must be completed in the same calendar year. To qualify for credit, the course must include a Wyoming statutes and rules element and other topics such as ethical reasoning or standards of professional conduct including those of other applicable regulatory bodies with a passing score of 80%.
(A) Holders who obtain initial certificates shall complete an approved ethics course within six (6) months (month-end of date of initial certificate) of obtaining the initial certificate and every three year renewal period thereafter.
(v) If a reported/planned course is not completed, an amended program attendance record must be submitted to the Board’s office reflecting the change.
(e) The continuing professional education requirement of a non-resident certificate holder not using practice privileges is considered met if the individual meets the continuing education requirement for renewal of a certificate, permit, or license in the state in which individual’s principal office is located. These individuals must, during the applicable renewal period imposed by the state where the principal office is located, complete four credits of continuing education in ethics covering state specific statutes and rules and such topics as ethical reasoning or standards of professional conduct including those of other applicable regulatory bodies. The non-resident must certify 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 or the individual is not licensed in another 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) Certificate holders should obtain an appropriate mix of group and individual courses that meet their individual needs.
(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 the Act and the Rules and Regulations.
(h) The Board may suspend, relax, or grant exceptions to the continuing education requirements for instances of individual hardship or other 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 unique, one-time 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.
(e) Renewal Year: The calendar year following any year in which a registrant holds an active certificate.
(f) “Third Party” means a person associated with or duly authorized by a CPE vendor or sponsor to represent that vendor or sponsor.
(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-house, 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, if the program is at least one full credit period in length, 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 the Board determines otherwise. 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 period plus an additional two credits for each period for preparation (3 credits for each presentation credit). 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.
(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) Independent Study: Credit in this area is limited to twelve (12) credits in any renewal period.
(f) Non-degree certificate programs: Accredited colleges and universities that offer certificate programs but do not post credit for the program on the official transcript must either provide a completion certificate to the participant or maintain an attendance log of participants, prepare and preserve an outline of the course, and ensure the course is led by a qualified instructor. One (1) CPE credit shall be awarded for every 50 minutes of class time.
(g) When credits are limited by section 4(b)(c) or (e), no future adjustments may be made to utilize credits previously limited.
Section 5. Evidence of Completion - Retention. Primary responsibility for documenting the requirements have been met rests with the certificate 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. Certificate holders must retain an outline or program for each course and evidence of attendance. Documentation shall include the holders' name, sponsor/provider name; course title, date and time frame of the course; and the amount of credit granted as applicable. 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, signed statements from vendors or sponsors, copies of the applicable Independent Study contracts, or other acceptable documentation as determined by the Board.
(c) Group Study: Sign in sheets, certificates of attendance, firm rosters signed by participants or attested to by the appropriate firm officials, other third party verification, or other acceptable documentation as determined by the Board.
(d) Instructor/Lecturer: a signed statement from the course provider or other appropriate official verifying the services were provided must be obtained.
(e) Ethics Course: Upon request all certificate holders must submit a certificate of completion or certificate of attendance to the Board office.
(a) No later than thirty days after beginning to provide accounting services, an individual who has been excepted from the requirements or has otherwise not provided evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements, must make appropriate application and show compliance with the continuing education requirements.
(i) 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.
(ii) The Board may allow a certificate holder to re-enter active practice without providing compliance with the continuing education requirements upon the condition that the applicant follow a particular future program or schedule of continuing education.
(iii) The applicant shall document that an approved ethics course as set forth in Section 1 of this chapter has been completed within the three (3) years prior to re-entry.
Section 7. Controls & Reporting.
(a) To renew an active certificate, on forms provided by the Board, each holder who does not renew on-line or non-resident who does not report CPE to another state 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 calendar year subject to renewal including the following information:
(A) sponsoring organization/provider/contractor; (B) title of program or description of content; (C) course type (individual, group, lecture, etc.); (D) dates attended or completed; and (E) credit claimed.
(b) Holders who renew on-line shall provide the total number of credits completed and shall certify compliance with CPE requirements.
Section 8. Extensions. The Board may, upon written request, extend the time within which certificate holders must comply with the requirements of this Chapter for reasonable and just cause.
(a) An applicant may request an automatic ninety (90) day extension at the time of renewal.
(b) Any request for an additional extension in excess of ninety (90) days must be submitted to the Board in writing no later than March 1 and outline good cause for granting the extension.
(c) Any applicant who requests or is granted an extension of time under this section shall submit documentation of completion of the applicable course work no later two weeks after the expiration of the extension deadline and shall be audited under Section 9 of this Chapter.
(d) Any applicant who fails to complete the requirement by the extension deadline shall be required to complete additional CPE credits equal to either the lesser of the shortage of credits or no more than sixteen (16) additional CPE credits. The additional credits must be completed no later than thirty (30) days from the extension deadline and shall not qualify for purposes of meeting any future CPE renewal requirement. Failure to submit documentation of completion of the additional credits by the deadline shall result in the initiation of disciplinary action.
Section 9. Verification (Audit). The Board will verify compliance with the CPE requirements on a test basis (to a maximum of 20% audit).
(a) In the form requested by the Board, Certificate holders, selected by random sample and pursuant to Section 8(c) of this Chapter, shall submit evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements.
(b) Non-resident certificate holders not using practice privileges shall comply when selected by either submitting a copy of the applicable renewal application in the state of residence and evidence of completion of all courses required by the residency state, to include the completion of the ethics course required in Section 1(e) of this chapter for the applicable renewal period or through another Board approved CPE audit process. If no documents were submitted to the state of residence, the holder shall comply with subsection(a) above.
(c) A certificate holder must remedy any deficiency discovered as a result of an audit within ninety (90) 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) Any certificate holder found deficient shall be required to complete additional CPE credits equal to the lesser of the shortage of credits but not more than sixteen (16) additional CPE credits. The additional credits must be completed within thirty (30) days of the date advised of the deficiency. Deficiency credits shall not qualify for purposes of meeting any future CPE renewal requirement. Failure to submit documentation of completion by the deadline shall result in the initiation of disciplinary action.
(e) Programs found to be out of compliance with the general standards may be disqualified and result in the requirement that the holder remedy any deficiency caused pursuant to subsection (c) and (d) of this section.
(f) Certificate holders found deficient pursuant to an extension or an audit shall be included in the CPE audit for two renewal cycles following the deficiency.