§ 17-48-206 - Continuing education requirements.
17-48-206. Continuing education requirements.
(a) (1) (A) After the expiration of the two-year period immediately following the effective date of the adoption of regulations by the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors establishing requirements of continuing education, every application for renewal of a certificate of licensure under this section shall be accompanied or supported by such evidence as the board prescribes documenting the completion of fifteen (15) hours of acceptable continuing education, approved by the board, during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of application.
(B) Failure by an applicant to provide this evidence constitutes grounds for revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the permit unless the board, in its discretion, determines the failure is due to reasonable cause or the applicant was not engaged in the practice of land surveying and maintained his or her initial certificate of licensure under 17-48-204(c).
(2) (A) In its discretion, the board may renew a certificate of licensure despite the failure to furnish evidence of satisfaction of requirements of continuing education and may issue a certificate of licensure to an applicant who has previously maintained inactive status under 17-48-204(c) upon the condition that the applicant follow a particular program or schedule of continuing education.
(B) In issuing rules, regulations, and individual orders in respect to requirements of continuing education, in its discretion the board:
(i) May, among other things, use and rely upon guidelines and pronouncements of recognized educational and professional associations;
(ii) May prescribe content, duration, and organization of courses;
(iii) Shall take into account the accessibility to applicants of such continuing education as it may require; and
(iv) May provide for relaxation or suspension of requirements in regard to applicants who certify that they do not intend to engage in the practice of land surveyors and for instances of individual hardship.
(3) In its discretion, the board may exempt licensed professional surveyors sixty (60) years of age or with twenty (20) or more years' experience as practicing professional surveyors within this state from the provisions of this subsection.
(b) (1) The board may prescribe regulations, procedures, and policies in the manner and condition under which credit shall be given for participation in a program of continuing education that the board may deem necessary and appropriate to maintain the highest standard of proficiency in the profession of land surveying.
(2) Examples of programs of continuing education that are acceptable include, without limitation programs or seminars sponsored by higher educational institutions, government agencies, professional organizations of registered land surveyors, and related professions.