§ 1003.30. Accreditation of sponsors of continuing education.

 (a)  Entities and institutions may apply for accreditation as a continuing education sponsor by submitting to the Department an application in a format prescribed by the Department. The applicant shall supply all information requested in the application. The Department will grant accreditation to an applicant for accreditation as a continuing education sponsor if the applicant satisfies the Department that the courses the applicant will offer will meet the following minimum standards:

   (1)  The courses shall be of intellectual and practical content.

   (2)  The courses shall contribute directly to the professional competence, skills and education of prehospital personnel.

   (3)  The course instructors shall possess the necessary practical and academic skills to conduct the course effectively.

   (4)  Course materials shall be well written, carefully prepared, readable and distributed to attendees at or before the time the course is offered whenever practical.

   (5)  The courses shall be presented by a qualified responsible instructor in a suitable setting devoted to the educational purpose of the course.

 (b)  Accreditation of the continuing education sponsor shall be effective for 3 calendar years.

 (c)  At least 90 days prior to expiration of the 3-year accreditation period, a continuing education sponsor shall apply to the Department for renewal of the sponsor’s accreditation. The Department will renew the sponsor’s accreditation if the sponsor meets all of the following requirements:

   (1)  The sponsor has presented, within the preceding 3 years, at least five separate continuing education courses which met the minimum standards in subsection (a).

   (2)  The sponsor establishes to the Department’s satisfaction that future courses to be offered by the sponsor will meet the minimum standards in subsection (a).

   (3)  The sponsor has satisfied its responsibilities under §  1003.32 (relating to responsibilities of continuing education sponsors).

 (d)  If the Department deems that the continuing education sponsor has demonstrated a history of understanding and compliance with the regulatory standards for providing continuing education to prehospital personnel, the Department may apprise the continuing education sponsor that its accreditation constitutes prior approval of continuing education courses offered under this chapter which are presented in a classroom setting, and permit the continuing education sponsor to assign the number of credit hours for such a course, based upon the criteria in §  1003.31(a) (relating to credit for continuing education).

   The provisions of this §  1003.30 adopted September 1, 1995, effective September 2, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 3685; amended October 13, 2000, effective October 14, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 5363. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (256635).

   This section cited in 28 Pa. Code §  1003.31 (relating to credit for continuing education); 28 Pa. Code §  1003.32 (relating to responsibilities of continuing education sponsors); and 28 Pa. Code §  1003.33 (relating to advertising).