OAR 161-020-0055: Criteria for Approval of Course as Continuing Education

In order to be approved as continuing education, the course must satisfy all criteria described in this rule. (1) Current Offering — The course shall be a current offering of the course owner/affiliated entity that is presented via the following formats: synchronous/classroom, asynchronous, or a hybrid. A hybrid course must meet the criteria for both synchronous/classroom and asynchronous as set forth in this Division 020. Courses presented asynchronously online, or by Compact Disc (CD), correspondence, videotape or remote television are eligible for approval only as provided in OAR 161-020-0140. (2) Course Length and Content — The course shall involve a minimum of two classroom hours which meet the “Continuing Education Course Content Guidelines” in OAR 161-020-0120. (3) Course Description — The course materials or syllabus shall include a course description which clearly describes the content of the course. (4) Summary Outline — If more than one major topic is to be covered in the course, the course materials or syllabus shall include a summary outline of major topics to be covered and the number of classroom hours devoted to each major topic. (5) Learning Objectives — The course materials or syllabus shall include specific learning objectives which: (a) Are appropriate for a continuing education course; (b) Clearly state the specific knowledge and/or skills students are expected to acquire by completing the course; (c) Are consistent with the course description; (d) Are consistent with the instructional materials; and (e) Are reasonably achievable within the number of classroom hours allotted for the course. (6) Instructional Materials — Instructional materials for students shall be provided unless the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that such materials are not needed to accomplish the stated course learning objectives. Instructional materials shall: (a) Be appropriate in view of the stated course learning objectives; (b) Reflect current knowledge and practice; (c) Contain no significant errors; (d) Reflect correct grammatical usage and spelling; (e) Effectively communicate and explain the information presented; (f) Be suitable in layout and format; and (g) Be suitably bound or packaged, and be produced in a quality manner. (7) Instructor Qualification — Course provider shall keep written records documenting that their instructors meet the Board qualifications as set forth below: (a) Three years of experience directly related to the subject matter to be taught; or (b) A baccalaureate or higher degree in a field directly related to the subject matter to be taught; or (c) Three years of experience teaching the subject matter to be taught; or (d) A combination of education and experience equivalent to (a), (b) or (c) of this section (e) For those instructing the 15-Hour National USPAP Course or its equivalent, and/or the 7-Hour National USPAP Continuing Education Course or its equivalent, at least one instructor must be a certified residential or certified general appraiser in good standing and possess a current certified USPAP instructor credential approved by the AQB. (f) For those instructing the Supervising Appraiser/Appraiser Assistant Course: (A) The instructor must be a certified residential or certified general appraiser; and (B) The instructor must have completed a Board-approved Supervising Appraiser/Appraiser Assistant Course and passed the final exam. (8) Attendance Policy — The course owner/affiliated entity shall have a written attendance policy that requires student attendance to be verified. Policy must: (a) Stipulate as to a percentage of attendance required by the student; (b) Include on the attendance records form the Instructor(s) name(s) and the criteria under which the Instructor is qualified; (c) Provide that non-members of an association or organization may apply for the course without membership in the association or organization; (d) Provide for retention of attendance records for a minimum of five years. (e) Provide a copy of the attendance record to the Board within 30 days of the student’s completion of the course, including whether there was successful passage of the course’s final examination (if applicable). (9) Course Scheduling Policy — If the course involves more than eight classroom hours, the course owner/affiliated entity shall have an established policy on course scheduling that provides for a maximum of eight (8) classroom hours of instruction in any given day and for appropriate breaks during each class session. (10) Course Completion Certificate Policy — The course owner/affiliated entity shall have an established policy assuring prompt issuance of signed course completion certificates to attendees which should include information regarding the number of classroom hours, course approval number, name of course, date of completion and whether there was successful passage of the course’s final examination (if applicable). (11) Audit Policy — The course owner/affiliated entity shall permit the Board Administrator or the Administrator's representative to audit the course and course materials at no cost to the Administrator or the Administrator's representative in order to evaluate the instruction. The course owner/affiliated entity shall permit the Administrator or the Administrator's representative to review their records appropriate to selected course offerings.