For each license term, each licensed sales agent shall
complete a minimum of three credits of continuing education in courses
acceptable to the commissioner, which may include independent study courses,
pursuant to paragraph 100.14(2)"g." Completion of the required
continuing education is mandatory for the renewal of a sales agent license.
"Independent study" means a subject, program or activity that a person pursues
autonomously that meets the requirements of this rule and that includes a test
at the conclusion of the independent study. Independent study includes but is
not limited to programs conducted using television, the Internet, video,
sound-recorded programs, correspondence work, and other similar media.
(1)
Exemption. The
requirements of this rule do not apply to:
a.
A licensed funeral director.
b. A
licensed insurance producer.
c. A
licensed sales agent who served full time in the U.S. armed forces on active
duty during a substantial part of the continuing education term and who submits
evidence of such service.
(2)
General rules for continuing
education credits.
a. The topic of
at least one of the three continuing education credits earned each license term
must be business ethics.
b. Proof
of completion of a continuing education course shall, at a minimum, include all
of the following, in a format acceptable to the commissioner:
(1) The date of the course, the location of
the course, the course title, the course subject, and the identity and
qualifications of the presenters.
(2) The number of course credits.
(3) Proof of successful completion of the
course provided by the person conducting or sponsoring the course.
c. A sales agent cannot receive
continuing education credit for courses taken prior to the issuance of an
initial license.
d. A sales agent
cannot receive continuing education credit for the same course twice in one
license term.
e. A sales agent
cannot carry over to the next license term more than three continuing education
credits earned in excess of the sales agent's license term requirements.
f. An instructor of a course is
entitled to the same credit as a student completing that course; the instructor
may receive such credit once during a license term, regardless of how many
times the instructor teaches the class.
g. A sales agent may receive continuing
education credit for independent study courses that are part of a recognized
national designation program. A sales agent may receive up to three continuing
education credits for independent study courses during a license term. A sales
agent shall maintain a record from the course provider that the course was
completed and the examination was passed.
(3)
Maintenance of records of
completion of continuing education requirements. A sales agent shall
maintain for three years after the license term during which the course was
taken the original proof of completion and descriptions and outlines of all
completed continuing education courses.
(4)
Standards for acceptable
continuing education courses. The commissioner shall find a continuing
education course acceptable if it meets all of the following criteria:
a. The course constitutes an organized
program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competency
of the licensee.
b. The course is
conducted by individuals who have specialized training concerning the subject
matter of the course.
c. The person
conducting or sponsoring the course provides proof of attendance to
attendees.
d. The activity pertains
to subject matters which integrally relate to the sale of merchandise or
services and purchase agreements subject to Iowa Code chapter 523A.
(1) The following are examples of acceptable
course topics:
1. Ethics.
2. Mortuary science law; public health; and
technical standards, requirements and issues regarding the handling and
interment of deceased human remains.
3. Insurance.
4. Iowa laws and administrative rules related
to Iowa Code chapters 523A and 5231.
5. Technical information related to
merchandise or services used in the death care industry.
6. Medicaid and the Iowa estate recovery law,
Iowa Code section 249.53.
7.
Relevant federal laws and regulations such as the Federal Trade Commission
Funeral rule (16 CFR Part
453).
8.
Information provided in programs or courses offered or sponsored by a state or
national funeral association that otherwise meets the criteria in this
subrule.
(2) The
following are examples of course topics that are not acceptable for continuing
education credit:
1. Sales.
2. Motivation.
3. Purchaser prospecting.
4. Supportive office skills (e.g., typing,
filing, computer systems).
5. Other
subjects not specifically related to the death care industry.
Notes
Iowa Admin. Code r.
191-100.14
Adopted by
IAB
November 25, 2015/Volume XXXVIII, Number 11, effective
12/30/2015
Amended by
IAB
March 10, 2021/Volume XLIII, Number 19, effective
4/14/2021