Section 1503.5 - Continuing Education for Trainers and Assistant Trainers(a) Commencing June 1, 2021, an applicant for renewal of license as trainer or assistant trainer shall certify that during the preceding 36-month period, they have completed a total of 12 hours of approved continuing education (ACE) coursework. (1) Certification of completion of ACE coursework shall be provided on form CHRB-59a, Certification of Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Coursework (New 12/20), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Form CHRB-59a shall be submitted with the application for renewal of license.(b) Licensees shall maintain evidence of completed ACE coursework for a period of four years from the date the course was completed and shall provide records of completion to the Board upon request. Completed ACE coursework may be recorded on a form provided by an ACE course, meeting or conference, or shall otherwise be recorded on form CHRB-242, Continuing Education Certificate of Attendance (New 12/20), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Form CHRB-242 shall be available at all CHRB offices and on the Board's website. Any record of completed ACE coursework shall state at least: (1) the title of the ACE course, meeting or conference:(2) the date, location and provider of the ACE course, meeting or conference: and(3) the number of continuing education hours earned.(c) Unless a waiver is granted under subsection (e), an application for license renewal will be denied if a form CHRB-59a is not submitted at the time of renewal.(d) The stewards shall take action, which may include imposing fines and/or license suspension, against any trainer or assistant trainer who is found to have provided false certification of completed ACE coursework or who fails to produce records of completed ACE coursework upon the Board's request.(e) The stewards shall waive the requirements of subsection (a) for applicants for renewal of license as trainer or assistant trainer if the trainer or assistant trainer is not domiciled in California and has had twelve or fewer starts in races in California during the previous 36-month period. Stakes races shall not be counted in the number of starts. (1) Requests for waivers under subsection (e) shall be submitted to the Board of Stewards at least 14 days before the time of application for renewal of license on form CHRB-59b, Request for Waiver of Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Requirements (New 12/20), which is hereby incorporated by reference. If approved, the signed form CHRB-59b shall then be submitted with the application for renewal of license.(f) The requirements of subsection (a) may be waived at the time of application for good cause conditioned upon completion of the requirements within 12 months from the date of renewal of license. (1) A licensee granted a waiver under subsection (f) shall submit a form CHRB-59a to the Board within 12 months from the date of renewal of their license.(A) The stewards shall take action, which may include imposing fines and/or license suspension, against any trainer or assistant trainer who fails to submit to the Board a form CHRB-59a within 12 months from the date of renewal of license after being granted a waiver under subsection (f).(2) "Good cause" includes, but is not limited to, a change in the licensee's state of domicile within 12 months preceding the application for renewal of license. and not having acted as a trainer or assistant trainer for at least the preceding 12 months from the time of application for renewal of license.(3) Requests for waivers under subsection (f) shall be submitted to the Board of Stewards at least 14 days before the time of application for renewal of license on form CHRB-59c, Request for Waiver of Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Requirements for Good Cause (New 12/20), which is hereby incorporated by reference, accompanied by a written explanation justifying the request. If approved, the signed form CHRB-59c shall then be submitted with the application for renewal of license.(g) Denial of a waiver will result in the applicant being ineligible for renewal of license until they have completed the requirements of subsection (a).(h) The Equine Medical Director (EMD) and the Executive Director (ED), in consultation with the California Thoroughbred Trainers, shall approve proposed ACE courses. (1) The EMD and ED shall evaluate proposed ACE courses according, but not limited, to the following criteria: (A) whether the coursework fosters competence and knowledge in horsemanship;(B) whether the coursework promotes compliance with California's horse racing laws;(C) whether the coursework promotes equine health, safety and welfare in racing; and(D) whether the coursework promotes integrity, human resource training and human safety and welfare.(2) A current list of approved ACE courses shall be available at all CHRB offices and on the Board's website. The list shall include the hours credited to each ACE course. (A) The hours credited to an ACE course shall be assigned by the EMD, and shall be determined by factors including, but not limited to, difficulty of subject matter, expected learning outcomes and the actual time necessary to complete the course.(3) The EMD and ED may remove courses from the approved ACE course list for reasons including, but not limited to: (A) irrelevance of coursework due to advancements in technology:(B) inconsistency of coursework with subsequent changes in law; and(C) discontinuance of course offering by the provider.(4) If a licensee has completed ACE coursework and the course is subsequently removed from the list of approved ACE courses, the coursework completed by the licensee will satisfy the requirements of subsection (a).Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 4, § 1503.5
1. New section filed 2-4-2021; operative 2-4-2021 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2021, No. 6). (Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.) Note: Authority cited: Section 19440, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 19420, 19440 and 19460, Business and Professions Code.
1. New section filed 2-4-2021; operative 2/4/2021 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2021, No. 6). (Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.)