§ 76.13. Obtaining Departmental approval of a continuing education course.

 (a)  Approval required. A person shall obtain the Department’s approval of a continuing education course before the course will be considered an approved continuing education course for purposes of §  76.12 (relating to renewal of certification). Revisions or changes to a previously-approved continuing education course must also be approved by the Department.

 (b)  General requirements for approval. The Department will approve a continuing education course, and the certification category of that course, if the course instructs participants in current food protection practices, fits within the certification category with respect to which approval is sought and has been recommended for approval by the Advisory Board.

 (c)  Application for approval. A person seeking the Department’s approval of a continuing education course under this section may obtain an application form from the Department at the address in §  76.16 (relating to contacting the Department). The applicant shall complete the form and return it to that same address. The form shall require the following information:

   (1)  The name and mailing address of the applicant.

   (2)  A course syllabus demonstrating that the course addresses regulatory or food industry changes, updates or advancements, or offers a general review of food safety considerations and procedures.

   (3)  A copy of all teaching materials for the course.

   (4)  A copy of all materials to be distributed to persons taking the course.

   (5)  The proposed sites and dates of the course.

   (6)  The certification category with respect to which approval is sought.

   (7)  Other information the Department might reasonably require in evaluating whether to approve the continuing education course.

 (d)  Departmental and Advisory Board action on application. The Department and the Advisory Board will consider application materials submitted to them under subsection (c)(3) and (4) confidential and the proprietary documents of the applicant, and will make no distribution of these materials. The Advisory Board will consider whether to recommend Departmental approval of the continuing education course. If a simple majority of a quorum of the Advisory Board recommends Departmental approval of a continuing education course, the Department will grant its approval, if the other requirements of subsection (b) are met. The Department will mail the applicant its written approval of the continuing education course, its denial of approval or a request for additional clarification or documentation.

   The provisions of this §  76.13 amended August 6, 2004, effective August 7, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 4139. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (260099) to (260100).