CHAPTER 3
CONTINUING EDUCATION
193G—3.1(17A,272C,544C) Definitions. As used in these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
“Contact hour” means one 60-minute clock hour of educational activity of which at least 50 minutes is devoted to instructional content. Where other units of credit are stated for an educational experience (e.g., “CEUs”), they shall be credited in terms of actual contact hours.
“Distance education” means any education process based on the geographical separation of student and instructor.
“Health, safety and welfare subjects” or “HSW subjects” means subjects that relate to the planning and designing of spaces and elements to minimize the risk of injury to persons or property. Such subjects include compliance with applicable building and safety codes, the planning and designing of spaces and elements that optimize over time the physically and mentally healthful use of those spaces and elements, and the planning and designing of spaces and elements that are durable, maintainable, cost-effective, environmentally conscientious and conservative of resources; that function properly in all relevant respects; that encourage access, functional independence and use by all relevant populations; that encourage user satisfaction, including aesthetic appeal; that promote a sense of user confidence and peace of mind; that integrate effectively with the surrounding environment; and that, in other similar ways, enhance the health, safety and well-being of the public.
“Structured activity” means a method of interior design-related learning led by a qualified individual and conducted or sponsored by a professional organization, technical organization, industry source or accredited college or university taught in person or through distance education.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17; ARC 4011C, IAB 9/26/18, effective 10/31/18]
193G—3.2(17A,272C,544C) Continuing education requirements.
	3.2(1) Hours required. Each registrant shall complete a minimum of 10 contact hours in acceptable health, safety and welfare subjects for continuing education. All hours shall be in structured activity programs and must be acquired during the renewal period. Carryover hours from a previous renewal are not allowed.
	3.2(2) Continuing education hours need not be acquired in this state, provided that the registrant can demonstrate that the program meets the definition of structured activity as defined in this chapter.
	3.2(3) A registered interior designer who holds a registration in Iowa for less than 12 months from the date of initial registration shall not be required to report continuing education at the first registration renewal. A registered interior designer who holds a registration in Iowa for 12 months or more, but less than 24 months from the date of initial registration, shall be required to report 5 contact hours of HSW subjects in a structured activity, earned in the preceding 12 months, at the first registration renewal.
	3.2(4) Sources of continuing education. Credit may not be claimed for any activity required as part of a registered interior designer’s routine professional responsibilities. Structured activities include:
	a. 	Completion of any program or course sponsored by a professional or technical organization or industry source.
	b. 	Instruction of a course, seminar, lecture, presentation, workshop or similar formal educational program. Credit shall be allowed at a maximum of 3 preparation hours for each class hour spent for actual presentation, valid for the initial presentation only. College and university faculty may not claim contact or preparation credit for teaching regular curriculum courses.
	c. 	Research that is formally presented to the profession or public. Credit shall be allowed at a maximum of 4 contact hours per reporting period and shall be valid for the initial presentation only.
	d. 	Completion of college or university credit courses dealing with interior design-related subjects. Each semester hour shall equal 15 contact hours. A quarter hour shall equal 10 contact hours.
	3.2(5) Approved continuing education. The board does not preapprove continuing education activities or courses; however, acceptable HSW subjects that enhance the health, safety, and well-being of the public include the following topics:
	a. 	Life safety, ADA, and other building and safety codes, standards and administrative regulations governing the practice of interior design.
	b. 	Safety and security.
	c. 	Physical and mental health issues.
	d. 	Topics that relate to human physiology, perception, anthropometrics, ergonomics, psychology, sociology, ecology and cultural factors.
	e. 	Energy efficiency.
	f. 	Environmental issues.
	g. 	Accessibility and universal design.
	h. 	Materials and methods.
	i. 	Building systems.
	j. 	Statutes and rules relating to interior design regulation.
	k. 	Professional ethics.
	l. 	Legal aspects of professional practice.
	m. 	Construction documents and services.
	n. 	Project administration.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17; ARC 4011C, IAB 9/26/18, effective 10/31/18; ARC 5568C, IAB 4/21/21, effective 5/26/21]
193G—3.3(17A,272C,544C) Controls and reporting.
	3.3(1) An applicant for registration renewal may be requested to provide, in such manner and at such time as prescribed by the board, a signed statement, under penalty of perjury, on forms provided by the board, setting forth the continuing education in which the registrant has participated.
	a. 	When an applicant is requested to provide a listing of the continuing education completed for structured activities, the information shall include:
	(1)	School, firm or organization conducting the course.
	(2)	Location of course.
	(3)	Title of course or description of content.
	(4)	Principal instructor.
	(5)	Dates attended.
	(6)	Hours claimed.
	b. 	Reserved.
	3.3(2) The board may verify information submitted by registrants. If an application for renewal is not approved, the applicant will be so notified and may be granted a period of time by the board in which to correct the deficiencies noted. Any discrepancy between the number of CEUs reported and the number of CEUs actually supported by documentation may result in a disciplinary review. If, after the disciplinary review, the board disallows any CEUs, or the registrant has failed to complete the required CEUs, the interior designer shall have 60 days from notification by the board to either provide further evidence of having completed the CEUs disallowed or remedy the discrepancy by completing the required number of CEUs (provided that such CEUs shall not again be used for the next renewal). An extension of time may be granted on an individual basis and must be requested by the registrant within 30 days of notification by the board. If the registrant fails to comply with the requirements of this subrule, the registrant may be subject to disciplinary action. If the board finds, after proper notice and hearing, that the interior designer willfully disregarded these requirements or falsified documentation of required CEUs, the interior designer may be subject to disciplinary action.
	3.3(3) Primary responsibility for documenting the requirements rests with the registrant, and evidence to support fulfillment of those requirements must be retained for a period of five years subsequent to submission of the report claiming the credit. Satisfaction of the requirements, including retention of attendance records and written outlines, may be accomplished as follows:
	a. 	For courses taken for scholastic credit at accredited universities and colleges, evidence of satisfactory completion of the course is sufficient; for noncredit courses taken, a statement of the hours of attendance, signed by the instructor, must be obtained by the registrant.
	b. 	For correspondence courses and formal independent study courses, written evidence or a certificate of completion from the sponsor or course provider shall be obtained by the registrant.
	c. 	In all other instances, the registrant must maintain a record of the information listed in paragraph 3.3(1)“a” and a copy of the course outline prepared by the course sponsor.
	3.3(4) The registrant is responsible for maintaining verification of claimed credit for a minimum of five years subsequent to submission of the report to the board office. Acceptable verification may be presented with a course completion certificate or a college transcript.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17; ARC 5568C, IAB 4/21/21, effective 5/26/21]
193G—3.4(17A,544C) Hearings. If the board disallows any continuing education hours, the registrant shall have 60 days from notice of such disallowance to either provide further evidence of having completed the continuing education hours disallowed or remedy the disallowance by completing the required number of continuing education hours (provided that such continuing education hours shall not again be used for the next renewal). In the event of denial, in whole or in part, of any application for approval of credit for continuing education activity, the registrant shall have the right, within 20 days after the date of notification of the denial by mail, to request a hearing by the board. The hearing shall be held within 60 days after receipt of the request for the hearing. The decision of the board shall be final. If the board finds, after proper notice and hearing, that the registrant willfully disregarded the continuing education requirements set forth in this chapter or falsified documentation of the required continuing education hours, the registrant may be subject to disciplinary action.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17]
193G—3.5(17A,544C) Exemptions.
	3.5(1) As provided in Iowa Code section 272C.2(4), a registered interior designer shall be deemed to have complied with the continuing education requirements set forth in this chapter if during the continuing education compliance period the registrant:
	a. 	Has served honorably on active duty in the military service; or
	b. 	Is a resident of another state or district having a continuing education requirement for registered interior design and has complied with all requirements of that state or district for practice therein; or
	c. 	Is a government employee working as a registered interior designer outside the United States.
	3.5(2) The board shall have authority to make exceptions for reasons of individual hardship, including health (certified by a medical doctor) or other good cause. See 193—Chapter 5.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17]
193G—3.6(17A,544C) Grounds for denial of registration renewal. Failure of a registrant to complete the continuing education requirements as set forth in this chapter, or failure to file a report of completed continuing education, or failure to submit a written request for waiver or exemption shall be grounds for the board to deny renewal of the registration.
[ARC 3025C, IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 544C.
[Filed 9/7/07, Notice 7/18/07—published 9/26/07, effective 10/31/07]
[Filed ARC 3025C (Notice ARC 2796C, IAB 11/9/16), IAB 4/12/17, effective 5/17/17]
[Filed ARC 4011C (Notice ARC 3841C, IAB 6/20/18), IAB 9/26/18, effective 10/31/18]
[Filed ARC 5568C (Notice ARC 5360C, IAB 12/30/20), IAB 4/21/21, effective 5/26/21]