1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to construction codes; modifying continuing education course approval 
1.3 	requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.0981, 
1.4 	subdivision 3.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.0981, subdivision 3, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 3.Content. (a) Continuing education consists of approved courses that 
1.9 	impart appropriate and related knowledge in the regulated industries pursuant to this 
1.10 	chapter and other applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Courses may 
1.11 	include relevant materials that are included in licensing exams subject to the limitations 
1.12 	imposed in subdivision 11. The burden of demonstrating that courses impart appropriate 
1.13 	and related knowledge is upon the person seeking approval or credit.
1.14 	(b) Except as required for Internet continuing education, course examinations will 
1.15 	not be required for continuing education courses.
1.16 	(c) If textbooks are not used as part of the course, the sponsor must provide students 
1.17 	with a syllabus containing the course title; the times and dates of the course offering; the 
1.18 	name, address, and telephone number of the course sponsor; the name and affiliation of 
1.19 	the instructor; and a detailed outline of the subject materials to be covered. Any written 
1.20 	or printed material given to students must be of readable quality and contain accurate 
1.21 	and current information.
1.22 	(d) Upon completion of an approved course, licensees shall earn one hour of 
1.23 	continuing education credit for each classroom hour approved by the commissioner. Each 
1.24 	continuing education course must be attended in its entirety in order to receive credit for 
2.1 	the number of approved hours. Courses may be approved for full or partial credit, and for 
2.2 	more than one regulated industry.
2.3 	(e) Continuing education credit in an approved course shall be awarded to presenting 
2.4 	instructors on the basis of one credit for each hour of the initial presentation. Continuing 
2.5 	education credits for completion of an approved course may only be used once for renewal 
2.6 	of a specific license.
2.7 	(f) Courses will be approved using the following guidelines:
2.8 	(1) course content must demonstrate significant intellectual or practical content and 
2.9 	deal with matters directly related to the practice in the regulated industry, workforce 
2.10 	safety, or the business of running a company in the regulated industry. Courses may 
2.11 	also address the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of a licensee related to 
2.12 	work in the regulated industry;
2.13 	(2) the following courses may be are automatically approved if they are specifically 
2.14 	designed for the regulated industry and are in compliance with paragraph (g) clause (1) 
2.15 	and all applicable rules promulgated by the commissioner:
2.16 	(i) courses approved by the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education; or
2.17 	(ii) courses approved by the International Code Council, National Association of 
2.18 	Home Building, National Fire Protection Association, or other nationally recognized 
2.19 	professional organization of the regulated industry; and or
2.20 	(iii) courses approved by the state fire marshall; and
2.21 	(3) courses must be presented and attended in a suitable classroom or construction 
2.22 	setting, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements of 
2.23 	subdivision 5a. Courses presented via video recording, simultaneous broadcast, or 
2.24 	teleconference may be approved provided the sponsor is available at all times during the 
2.25 	presentation, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements 
2.26 	of subdivision 5a.
2.27 	(g) The following courses will not be approved for credit:
2.28 	(1) courses designed solely to prepare students for a license examination;
2.29 	(2) courses in mechanical office skills, including typing, speed reading, or other 
2.30 	machines or equipment. Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related to the 
2.31 	regulated industry;
2.32 	(3) courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the 
2.33 	general business of the licensee;
2.34 	(4) courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, or personal time management;
3.1 	(5) courses that are primarily intended to impart knowledge of specific products of 
3.2 	specific companies, if the use of the product or products relates to the sales promotion 
3.3 	or marketing of one or more of the products discussed; or
3.4 	(6) courses where any of the educational content of the course is the State Building 
3.5 	Code that include code provisions that have not been adopted into the State Building Code 
3.6 	unless the course materials clarify that the code provisions have been officially adopted 
3.7 	into a future version of the State Building Code and the effective date of enforcement.
3.8 	(h) Nothing in this subdivision shall limit an authority expressly granted to the Board 
3.9 	of Electricity, Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, or Plumbing Board.