Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0020-05-.04 - QUALIFYING PROGRAMS

(1) In order to qualify for credit toward satisfaction of the requirements of Rule 0020-05-.03, a continuing education program must be a learning opportunity that contributes to the licensee's knowledge, ability, and/or competence to perform his or her professional responsibilities.

(2) The following learning activities shall qualify for CPE credit:

(a) A learning activity that complies with the Statements on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs jointly approved by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and is coordinated and presented by a qualifying CPE program sponsor as set forth in Rule 0020-05-.05. The sources of qualifying learning activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Group Programs;

2. Self-Study Programs;

3. Blended Learning Programs;

4. Nano-Learning Programs;

5. Instructor/Developer of CPE programs in 1 through 4 above or in (b) or (d) below;

6. Technical Reviewer of CPE programs in 1 through 4 above or in (b) or (d) below; and

7. Independent Study.

(b) A college or university course that is coordinated and presented by a qualifying university or college as set forth in Rule 0020-05-.05(3)(b) in a technical or nontechnical field of study;

(c) Participation and work on a technical committee of an international, national, or state professional association, council or member organization, or a governmental entity that supports professional services or industries that require unique and specific knowledge in technical fields of study;

(d) A group learning activity that is coordinated and presented as an organized in-firm or in-house (includes any company that gives training for their employees and others) educational program for employees and others without charge; and

(e) Programs of other organizations (accounting, industrial, professional, etc.) recognized by the Board.

(3) Programs requiring attendance may be considered for credit if:

(a) An outline is prepared and preserved;

(b) The program is at least one (1) credit hour [one (1) credit hour = fifty (50) minute period];

(c) The program is conducted by a qualified instructor, discussion leader, or lecturer; and

(d) A record of registration or attendance is maintained.

(4) Formal correspondence or other self-study programs, including those administered via computer which require registration and provide evidence of satisfactory completion, may qualify for continuing education credit. Such programs, excluding those offered by the AICPA and state CPA societies, must be approved by the Board or its designee, NASBA's National Registry of CPE Sponsors.

(5) Continuing education credit will be allowed for service as an instructor/developer, discussion leader, or speaker, at any program for which participants are eligible to receive continuing education credit. Credit for such service will be awarded on the first presentation only, unless a program has been substantially revised. An instructor/developer may receive CPE credit for actual preparation time up to two (2) times the number of CPE credits to which participants would be entitled, in addition to the time for presentation; however, credit hours awarded under this paragraph shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total number of credit hours required by this chapter within any two (2) year period. A licensee who receives credit for services as an instructor/developer, discussion leader, or speaker of a CPE course cannot also receive credit for attendance at the same or substantially same course that the licensee served as an instructor/developer, discussion leader, or speaker within the preceding twelve month period.

(6) In the board's discretion, continuing education credit may be allowed for writing articles and books, provided that their preparation contributes to the professional competence of the license holder. Credit for such preparation may be awarded on a self-declaration basis of up to fifty percent (50%) of the two (2) year continuing education requirement. Acceptable evidence may include a copy of the publication that names the licensee as author or contributor; a statement from the licensee supporting the number of CPE credits claimed; and the name and contact information of the independent reviewer(s) or publisher. Additional credit may be awarded in exceptional circumstances, upon the written request of the license holder, accompanied by a copy of the article(s) or books(s) and a statement of justification. No credit shall be given for unpublished book(s) or article(s).

(7) Continuing education credit may be allowed for the reading of professional journals and the taking of an examination related thereto. Credit hours obtained under this paragraph are limited to twenty percent (20%) of the total number of credit hours required by this chapter within any two (2)-year period and may not be used to meet the requirements of subparagraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) of Rule 0020-05-.03.

(8) CPE credit may be allowed for the successful completion of exams for Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), as well as other similar exams approved by the Board. Credit will be awarded at a rate of five (5) times the length of each exam taken and limited to fifty percent (50%) of the total CPE required under Rule 0020-05-.03.

(9) To receive credit, any program of continuing education not specifically covered by this rule must be approved by the Board before completion of the course. A licensee, once per reporting period, may submit for approval up to sixteen (16) hours of CPE from courses that are sponsored by organizations that are not registered with NASBA, and are either offered on a limited basis or industry specific. A licensee will not receive credit for attending/completing a program that was not timely approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 0020-05-.04(9).

(10) The Board specifically reserves the right to approve or disapprove credit for all continuing education claimed under this rule.

(11) Acceptable evidence for completion of qualifying learning activities shall include the following:

(a) For program or courses as set forth in Rule 0020-05-.04(2)(a) and (b), acceptable evidence should include a certificate of completion or transcript issued by the qualifying CPE program sponsor.

(b) For programs or courses set forth in Rule 0020-05-.04(2)(d) and (e), acceptable evidence should include a certificate of attendance supplied by the program sponsor.

(c) For activities set forth in Rule 0020-05-.04(2)(c), acceptable evidence should include a certificate of completion supplied by the program sponsor or a written certificate of the licensee setting forth all of the following:

1. The nature of the activity, including items discussed and the materials considered;

2. The dates on which the learning activity occurred; and

3. The number of CPE credits attributed to the learning activity.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0020-05-.04

Original rule filed June 10, 1999; effective August 24, 1999. Amendment filed October 15, 2003; effective December 29, 2003. Amendment filed August 15, 2006; effective October 29, 2006. Amendment filed March 26, 2012; effective June 24, 2012. Amendments filed October 28, 2016; effective January 26, 2017. Amendments filed February 23, 2018; effective May 24, 2018. Amendments filed June 6, 2019; effective 9/4/2019.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-1-105 and 62-1-107.