Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Section 3-309.1

      (a)      (1)      To qualify for renewal of a license under this subtitle, a licensee shall complete 24 continuing education contact hours per 24-month period since the last renewal of a license, including 16 continuing education contact hours that are related to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

            (2)      Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection:

                  (i)      a licensee who is granted an initial license may renew a license for the next full term without complying with the continuing education requirement of this section;

                  (ii)      a licensee serving on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding 120 consecutive days in a year, if the activity restricts participation in a continuing education program, may renew a license for the next full term without complying with the continuing education requirement of this section; and

                  (iii)      a licensee experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the Board may renew a license for the next full term without complying with the continuing education requirement of this section.

      (b)      (1)      A continuing education course or activity must:

                  (i)      have a clear purpose and objective which will maintain, improve, or expand skills and knowledge obtained prior to licensure or certification or develop new and relevant skills and knowledge;

                  (ii)      be presented in a well-organized and sequential manner;

                  (iii)      provide evidence of preplanning which must include the opportunity for input by the group to be served;

                  (iv)      be conducted by persons who are well qualified based on education or experience; and

                  (v)      provide for documentation of an individual's participation including information required for record keeping and reporting.

            (2)      A course or activity approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) shall be accepted as meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection.

            (3)      (i)      A course or activity not approved by this subsection, the AIA, or NCARB may be given approval by the Board if the licensee seeking approval of the course or activity submits a written request to the Board and obtains pre-approval from the Board.

                  (ii)      An individual seeking to obtain pre-approval of a continuing education course or activity shall submit the following at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program so that the Board may analyze and respond to the individual:

                        1.      the name, address, and phone number of the course or activity sponsor;

                        2.      the name of the course or activity;

                        3.      a detailed description of the course or activity;

                        4.      the length of the instructional period;

                        5.      the total number of contact hours for which credit is sought;

                        6.      the name and academic or professional credentials of the course or activity instructor;

                        7.      the time, place, and date of the course or activity; and

                        8.      the sponsor's method for providing evidence of attendance.

                  (iii)      The sponsor of a pre-approved course or activity may announce or indicate as follows: "This course has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Architects for the maximum of ___ contact hours of continuing education."

      (c)      (1)      In accounting credit, the Board shall provide a space on the regular license renewal form for the licensee to sign as certification that the licensee has complied with the continuing education requirement of this section.

            (2)      The Board may conduct random audits to verify completion of the requirement.

            (3)      In response to an audit, a licensee may submit a transcript from the Continuing Education System of the AIA or another form prescribed or accepted by the Board.

            (4)      Evidence of compliance shall be maintained by the licensee for 2 years after each renewal period.

            (5)      If as a result of an audit the Board disallows any contact hours, the licensee shall have 6 months from notice of such disallowance either to provide acceptable evidence of having acquired contact hours or to acquire the required number of contact hours prior to revocation of a license.

      (d)      The requirements of this section may be met if an individual is licensed or certified in another state, province, or district which has a continuing education requirement for renewal of a license that is similar to the program in subsection (b) of this section, and the program is accepted by the Board and the individual certifies that all continuing education and licensing requirements for the state, province, or district from which the individual is licensed or certified have been met, subject to audit by the Board.

      (e)      The Board may waive the requirements of this section for a licensee if the licensee shows good cause for being unable to meet the requirements.