2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
§ 20-302 - Qualifications

§20-302.

(a) To qualify for a certificate as a program administrator, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) The applicant shall be of good moral character.

(c) The applicant shall have completed a State and national criminal history records check.

(d) The applicant shall be at least 21 years old.

(e) The applicant shall have:

(1) (i) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

(ii) At least 4 years experience in the human service field with at least 3 years in a supervisory or administrative capacity; or

(2) (i) A master’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

(ii) At least 2 years experience in the human service field with at least 1 year in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

(f) Except as otherwise provided in this title, the applicant shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.

§ 20-302 - 1. Certification as residential child and youth care practitioner

(a) Required. -- To qualify for a certificate as a residential child and youth care practitioner, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) Moral character. -- The applicant shall be of good moral character.

(c) Criminal history records check. -- The applicant shall have completed a State and national criminal history records check.

(d) Age. -- The applicant shall be:

(1) At least 21 years old; or

(2) At least 18 years old and have earned at least an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

(e) Education and experience. -- The applicant shall have:

(1) A high school diploma or equivalent and have successfully completed an approved training program;

(2) At least 2 years experience in the human service field and sponsorship from a certified program administrator; or

(3) An associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

(f) Training program; waiver. --

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the applicant shall have successfully completed a training program approved under § 20-302.2 of this subtitle.

(2) (i) An applicant who has an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university may be waived from the training program requirement, if the applicant passes an examination and meets other requirements established by the Board under this subtitle.

(ii) The Board shall establish requirements and procedures for waiving the training program requirement for an applicant under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

(g) Examination. -- The applicant shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.

(h) Waiver of requirements. -- The Board shall waive the education, experience, training, and examination requirements of this section for an applicant who:

(1) Applies for certification on or before October 1, 2015; and

(2) Presents to the Board satisfactory evidence that the applicant worked as a residential child and youth care practitioner in the State for at least 2 years before October 1, 2015.

§ 20-302 - 2. Regulations for approved training programs

(a) In general. -- The Board shall adopt regulations for approved training programs for residential child and youth care practitioners.

(b) Effect of completion of program. -- Successful completion of an approved training program shall prepare an individual for certification as a residential child and youth care practitioner.

(c) Scope of regulations. -- The regulations shall:

(1) Require an approved training program to provide a fundamental working knowledge of the varied aspects of performing the direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization to children and youth in residential child care programs;

(2) Establish a process for approving residential child and youth care practitioner training programs; and

(3) Establish the contact hours, curriculum, format, and fees for approved training programs.

(d) Posting list of approved programs on Web site. -- The Board shall post a list of approved training programs on its Web site.