Sec. 10.56.05.04. Qualifying Continuing Education

A. The licensee shall complete continuing education units relating to the practice of dietetics that foster improvement, advancement, and extension of the licensee's professional skill and knowledge relating to the practice of dietetics.

B. Continuing education may include the categories listed in §§C-J of this regulation per each licensure renewal period.

C. Category 1-Academic Course Work.

(1) In this category, continuing education may include:

(a) Graduate level academic course work from an accredited institution as defined in COMAR 10.56.01.02B(1) that will assist a licensee to carry out the licensee's professional responsibilities; and

(b) Not more than 15 hours of undergraduate course work that will assist a licensee to carry out the licensee's professional responsibilities, including but not limited to:

(i) Management courses;

(ii) Foreign language training for translators of relevant texts; or

(iii) Educational methodology for teachers of dietetic practice and nutrition.

(2) One semester hour of academic course work is equivalent to 15 continuing education units.

(3) One trimester hour is equivalent to 12 continuing education units.

(4) One quarter hour is equivalent to 10 continuing education units.

(5) The licensee shall submit documentation of a transcript indicating that the course was completed for credit.

D. Category 2-Seminars, Lectures, Journal Clubs.

(1) This category may include seminars, workshops, journal clubs, or a Board-approved similar program, which shall be verified by any documentation requested by the Board.

(2) One hour of attendance is equivalent to 1 continuing education unit.

E. Category 3-Skills Development. This category may not exceed more than 6 continuing education credits, including, but not limited to:

(1) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification;

(2) Culinary classes;

(3) Research methodology; and

(4) Anthropometry courses.

F. Category 4-Professional Reading, Independent Learning, Study Groups. This category includes formalized professional reading, independent learning, and study groups, which shall be verified by any documentation requested by the Board and may not exceed 20 hours of continuing education credit.

G. Category 5-Publications, Research, Professional Presentations, Case Presentations. This category may not exceed 15 hours for writing or editing publications, research, professional presentations, and case presentations, including, but not limited to:

(1) Books;

(2) Booklets;

(3) An original paper based on a licensee's research published in a professional peer-reviewed journal;

(4) An original technical article published in a professional journal;

(5) An abstract or book review; and

(6) Poster presentations.

H. Category 6-Exhibits, Posters. This category may not exceed 12 hours of attending exhibits and viewing posters.

I. Category 7-Initial Advanced Certifications.

(1) This category may include initial advanced certifications awarded during the first renewal as approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association and the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists.

(2) The Board shall consider advanced recertification under Category 2 as described in §D of this regulation.

J. Category 8-Professional Leadership. This category may not exceed 6 hours of professional leadership, including, but not limited to, participation at professional association and regulatory board meetings.

K. Category 9-Pro Bono Work.

(1) This category may not exceed 5 hours of pro bono work related to dietetic practice.

(2) Continuing education units may be earned for pro bono work at the rate of 1 continuing education unit for 1 hour of Board-approved pro bono work.

(3) The licensee shall provide to the Board a written application for approval of pro bono work. The application shall include:

(a) The location of the pro bono work;

(b) The type of work related to dietetic practice to be provided;

(c) The number of hours of actual work to be provided for which the licensee desires continuing education hours;

(d) A statement guaranteeing that the work provided no financial benefit to the licensee; and

(e) A description of how the work will enhance the licensee's ongoing education.

(4) Upon completion of the pro bono work, the licensee shall submit written documentation from the facility as evidence of completion of pro bono hours to the Board.

(5) Continuing education units may not be granted for work that did not receive prior approval from the Board.