SF4952

Purpose

• This bill changes how continuing education (CE) is defined and approved for licensed professionals working in regulated construction-related industries in Minnesota. It updates content requirements, how online CE is delivered and credited, and what types of courses can count toward license renewal.

Main Provisions

• Content and scope of CE
  • CE must impart appropriate and related knowledge for the regulated industries and may include materials that appear on licensing exams, with limits.
  • The burden for proving a course provides appropriate knowledge lies with the sponsor seeking approval or credit.
  • CE can cover topics like workforce safety, running a business in the regulated industry, professional responsibility, and ethical obligations.
  • Courses approved for CE may come from recognized bodies, including:
  • Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education
  • International Code Council
  • National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • Other nationally recognized professional organizations
• Online and delivery formats
  • For online CE, some examinations may be required for internet-based asynchronous or simultaneous broadcast formats, but otherwise examinations are not required for CE courses.
  • If textbooks aren’t used, sponsors must provide a syllabus with course details (title, schedule, sponsor contact info, instructor details, and a detailed outline).
  • CE credits are awarded based on classroom time: 1 hour of credit for each classroom hour, and all or part of a course can be credited. Credit for a course is allowed for more than one regulated industry.
  • Instructors delivering CE earn credit: 1 CE credit for each hour of the initial presentation.
  • CE credits earned for completing a course may only be used once toward license renewal.
• Course approval criteria and requirements
  • Courses must have substantial intellectual or practical content directly related to practicing in the regulated industry, workforce safety, or running a business in the industry.
  • Courses must be conducted in a suitable classroom or construction setting; online formats (video recording, teleconference, or simultaneous broadcast) may be approved if the sponsor is available during the presentation.
  • Internet online asynchronous and simultaneous broadcast CE formats must meet subdivision 4 requirements (specific online rules apply).
• Not eligible for CE credit
  • Courses designed solely to prepare students for a license examination.
  • Mechanical office skills (like typing), or general computer skills not related to the regulated industry (though some computer courses are allowed if relevant).
  • Sales promotion topics (including meetings tied to general business or marketing), motivation, psychology, or personal time management.
  • Courses focused on product knowledge for a specific company unless tied to the product’s relevance to the industry.
  • Content that is the State Building Code unless the course materials clarify that the code provisions have been officially adopted into a future version of the State Building Code and include the enforcement date.
• Authority and continuity
  • The changes do not limit the authority of the Board of Electricity, Board of High-Pressure Piping Systems, or the Plumbing Board.

Notable Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces explicit guidelines for online CE delivery (including asynchronous, broadcast, and teleconference formats) and how they are credited.
• Clarifies documentation requirements if textbooks are not used (requirement for a detailed syllabus).
• Establishes credit rules for instructors, sponsorship, and license renewal usage.
• Adds clear exclusions to what may count as CE credit, particularly around licensing exam prep, certain business/marketing topics, and non-relevant administrative skills.
• Keeps existing boards’ authority while expanding approved sources for CE content.

Implications for Stakeholders

• Licensees in regulated construction-related fields: clearer pathways to earning CE credits, especially for online courses; must ensure courses meet the new content and delivery requirements.
• CE course sponsors and providers: new documentation, content, and approval standards; opportunity to offer online formats that still meet standards.
• Regulatory boards: maintain oversight while referencing approvals from recognized professional organizations.

Relevant Terms continuing education CE credits continuing education courses course sponsor instructor syllabus textbooks classroom hour online asynchronous simultaneous broadcast Internet online asynchronous video recording teleconference approved course regulated industry workforce safety business of running a company professional responsibility ethical obligations Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education International Code Council National Association of Home Builders State Building Code adopted future version license renewal license examination examinations Board of Electricity Board of High Pressure Piping Systems Plumbing Board