Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024
Section 76-6 - Continuing EducationA. Basic Requirements1. Continuing Education Hours a. A continuing education (CE) hour is defined as one continuous instructional hour (50 to 60 minutes of contact) spent in educational activities intended to increase or update the landscape architect's knowledge and competence. Continuing education shall be earned in the categories as described below.b. Each licensee shall complete twenty (20) contact hours of continuing education activities during the two (2) year period immediately preceding each biennial renewal date as a condition for license renewal.2. Continuing Education Topic Categoriesa. Category 1 - A minimum of fifteen (15) hours of the required twenty (20) hours shall be earned by completing educational activities that directly address health, safety, and welfare. Health/Safety/Welfare (HSW) educational topics should address the performance of landscape architecture as defined in S.C. Code Section 40-28-20(6).b. Category 2 - A maximum of five (5) hours of the required twenty (20) hours may be completed in practice related topics that enhance and expand the skills, knowledge, and abilities of practicing landscape architects to remain current and render competent professional service to clients and the public.B. Approved Methods 1. Method 1 - Structured educational activities include but are not limited to technical presentations, workshops, or seminars on landscape architectural subjects which are provided by independent sponsors or held in conjunction with colleges, universities, conventions or seminars. Landscape architectural activities such as those organized, sponsored, or approved by ASLA, CLARB, and LA CES are acceptable to the board. Continuing education hours approved by national or state chapter ASLA, or approved by other Landscape Architect State Regulatory Authority shall be accepted by this Board. Structured educational activities can take place within a traditional classroom style setting, or in an online, interactive presentation. A minimum of fifteen (15) hours of the required twenty (20) hours shall be earned by completing structured educational activities.2. Method 2 - Self directed study is defined as activities that include:a. Public service activities that draw upon the Landscape Architect's expertise such as serving on design review boards, planning commissions, building code advisory boards, urban renewal boards, or code study committees. Licensees may not claim more than five (5) hours for public service activities.b. Authoring papers, articles, or books. Licensees may not claim more than five (5) hours for authoring papers, articles, or books.c. Individualized seminars, tutorials, or video courses.d. Teaching landscape architectural courses or seminars. Licensees may not claim more than three (3) hours for teaching landscape architectural courses or seminars. Licensees may not claim credit for teaching the same course more than once per reporting period.C. Records 1. Responsibility for documenting the fulfillment of the continuing education requirements rests with the licensee and the licensee must retain for a period of four (4) years evidence to support fulfillment of the requirements. Such evidence shall include certificates of completion, course materials, or sign-in sheets that provide verification of the number of hours of each course or program; or, for other activities which meet the requirements, such documentation as to ascertain their completion.2. Each licensee shall submit, in a format requested by the board, an affidavit attesting to the fulfillment of continuing education requirements during the preceding period.3. Each affidavit may be subject to audit for verification of compliance with requirements. Licensees must comply with audit deadlines and requirements.4. The board has final authority with respect to approval of courses, credit, continuing education hour value of courses, and other value of credit.5. The board may disallow claimed credit for continuing education hours. The licensee shall have forty-five (45) calendar days after notification of disallowance of credit to substantiate the original claim or earn other continuing education credit which fulfills minimum requirements. These hours will be credited to the delinquent renewal period.6. Failure to fulfill the continuing education requirements, to file the required report or to comply with audit and verification requests shall be considered a violation of the Landscape Architectural Registration Law.7. If a licensee exceeds the total continuing education required in any renewal period, the licensee may carry a maximum of ten (10) continuing education (CE) hours of Category 1 structured educational activities into the next renewal period.D. Exemptions Continuing education requirements may be waived for the following reasons:
1. New licensees shall be exempt for their initial licensure period.2. A licensee serving on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days in a year shall be exempt from obtaining the continuing education hours required during that year.3. Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the board may be exempt. Supporting documentation must be furnished with any such exemption request made to the board thirty (30) days in advance of the renewal period.4. Individuals who are at least sixty (60) years old and have thirty (30) years or more of licensed experience may request a waiver of the continuing education requirement by submitting a waiver form to the Board.5. Licensees who are Board approved for Emeritus Status shall be exempt from requirements for continuing education hours.Added by State Register Volume 36, Issue No. 2, eff February 24, 2012; State Register Volume 44, Issue No. 06, eff. 6/26/2020; State Register Volume 47, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/26/2023.