POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
FOR SPONSORS OF
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Revised July, 2011
This edition supersedes previous edition.
AMERICAN BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION
IN ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS AND PEDORTHICS, INC.
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210
Alexandria, VA 22314-2747
(703) 836-7114
(703) 836-0838 (FAX)
www.abcop.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
DEFINITION ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Professional Continuing Education ............................................................................................................... 1
APPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ...................................................................................................... 1
CLASSIFICATION OF PCE CATEGORIES .............................................................................................................. 1
Category I PCEs ............................................................................................................................................ 1
PCEs Awarded for Category I ......................................................................................................... 2
Category II PCEs ............................................................................................................................................
PCEs Awarded for Category II ....................................................................................................... 2
SPONSORING CATEGORY I
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS .............................................................................................................. 2
Program Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 2
Awarding Credits ............................................................................................................................................ 4
A)
Assessment of PCEs ........................................................................................................................ 4
B)
Speaker Presentations ...................................................................................................................... 5
C)
Panel/Group Discussions ................................................................................................................. 5
D)
Post Test ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Application Procedures ................................................................................................................................... 5
A)
Submission ....................................................................................................................................... 5
B)
Application Fee ................................................................................................................................. 5
C)
Processing Fee ................................................................................................................................. 5
D)
Notification ...................................................................................................................................... 6
E)
Transmittal of "Sign-in Sheets" ....................................................................................................... 6
F)
Submission of Sponsor Program Evaluation.................................................................................... 6
FORMS TO BE FOUND IN THE BACK OF THIS BOOKLET
-
Sponsor Application for Course Approval
-
Sponsor Program Requirements form
2
1
INTRODUCTION
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics,
Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc., (ABC) has long recognized
the need for effective continuing professional education.
Continuing education, which is the norm in the health care
profession, is meant to maintain and improve the healthcare
system and delivery of services. Individuals must seek
education to meet two continual demands: 1) to maintain
performance at the basic level of professional competence;
and, 2) to advance training and specialized skills beyond the
basic level.
In 1988, ABC adopted a policy which required all
orthotists and/or prosthetists who were certified after 1987 to
obtain a specified number of continuing education credits in
each five (5) year period in order to retain their certification.
In 1992, ABC adopted a policy extending this
requirement to all orthotists and/or prosthetists, effective
December 1, 1994. The policy was adopted because:
 the ABC wanted to declare to patients and to the
general public that the organized field of O&P believes
continuing professional education is a necessary
adjunct to quality patient care.
 continuing education serves patients' interests.
contact hours of participation. ABC's definition has always
been that one contact hour equals one credit and a credit was
also referred to as a CEU. However, the ABC Continuing
Education Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the CEU designation be changed to
"Professional Continuing Education" (PCE) credit. Except
as noted elsewhere for specific types of programs or
activities, the PCE is defined as one hour equals a
maximum of one credit.
CLASSIFICATION AND
DEFINITION OF CATEGORIES
ABC grants certification in orthotics, prosthetics,
pedorthics and post-mastectomy fitting, therefore, only
educational and business programs that relate specifically to
the practice of those disciplines will be granted PCEs.
In
identifying
various
continuing
education
opportunities, the Continuing Education Committee
(Committee) created two categories, "Category I" and
"Category II" that would distinguish those learning activities
which are largely sponsor-based programs from those which
are independent and/or unsupervised.

Category I continuing education opportunities are
generally sponsor-based programs that have been
pre-approved by ABC for relevance to a specific
credential.

Category II continuing education opportunities
are generally independent, unsupervised activities
and while relevant to the profession, may or may
not be directly relevant to a specific credential.
 continuing education is an integral part of many allied
health certification programs.
In 1997, the requirement for mandatory continuing
education was extended to include all Associates and
Technicians. All fitter programs have required participation
in continuing education since their inception.
DEFINITION OF
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The content of the continuing education programs are
within that body of knowledge and skills generally
recognized and accepted by the profession as encompassing
the basic sciences, the discipline of clinical orthotics,
prosthetics, pedorthics and post-mastectomy fitting, and the
provision of health care to the public. This does not rule out
leading edge scientific information that is at the forefront of
research in the O&P profession.
This definition and the rules applied by the continuing
education program are sufficiently broad to permit certified
individuals to undertake continuing education activities
relevant to their ABC credential. All applications for
continuing education should comply with this definition.
Professional Continuing Education
(PCE) Credit
In the field of continuing education, the definition of a
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is that one CEU equals ten
Within the categories mentioned above, there are also
Scientific vs. Business credits.

Scientific credits are awarded to activities that
specifically relate to the certifications offered by
ABC and general patient care.

Business credits are awarded to activities designed
to improve various aspects of facility/office
management.
Category I PCEs
Category I continuing education opportunities are
structured educational and training experiences for
professional development in which participants are assumed
to have previously attained a basic level of education,
training and experience. They are generally sponsor-based
programs and are evaluated by the Committee for
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course/program content relevant to the profession; qualified
presenters/instructors and clear and concise learning
outcomes. PCE credits for this category can only be
applied for by the sponsor.
Category I continuing education can take the form of
lectures, seminars, self-study materials, self-assessment
programs, and use of audio-visual or computer based
materials.
ABC approved continuing education activities,
sponsored by or affiliated with the American Academy of
Orthotists and Prosthetists, Inc., (Academy), the American
Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, Inc., (AOPA), including
national assemblies, regional meetings, local chapter
meetings, CECs, , Societies, etc., shall qualify for Category I
PCE credit.
Credits Awarded for Category I
Academy/AOPA Sponsored or Affiliated Programs
One hour of demonstration of didactic (lecture)
presentation shall qualify for one credit. Two hours hands-on
or laboratory sessions shall qualify for one credit.
Commercial/Business Programs
The following programs may qualify for Category I
credits:
a)
Academy/AOPA Sponsored Programs
These are outlined above.
At ABC’s discretion, an outside monitor may attend to
validate the program.
 If employees and/or non-employees are lecturing
and the information is open to the public, it may
qualify for one (1) PCE per hour of lecture.
 If employees and/or non-employees are lecturing
and the information is closed to the public, the
lecture will receive no credit.
Exhibit Hall Attendance Category II Credits
Sponsors of Category I approved programs may make
Exhibit Hall Attendance (Category II) Application forms
available to attendees for touring an exhibit hall. A list of
exhibitors must be provided in the Category I application.
These forms must be submitted to ABC directly for
credits to be awarded.
Large meetings (over 100 exhibitors) will receive three
(3) PCEs, medium meetings (between 50-100 exhibitors)
will receive two (2) PCEs and small meetings (between 1549 exhibitors) will receive one (1) PCE.
In order to receive credit, each attendee will need to
submit a Category II Exhibit Hall Attendance application
with the required documentation.
CPR/AED/Basic First Aid
CPR courses will be approved under Category II, whether
they are held independently or as part of a larger meeting.
Credits for Pre-Certification Courses
b) Academy Sponsored Independent Activities
Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO)
Articles/Quizzes will be awarded 2 PCEs; Academy
Videos/Monographs will be awarded 6 PCEs.
c)
Allied Health or Medical Presentations
PCEs will be awarded as outlined in the criteria for
Category I credits for allied health or medical seminars (i.e.,
American Council for Rehabilitative Medicine; American
Association of Orthopedic Surgeons; etc.)
d) In-House Programs
If a company hosts a seminar for which the speaker is
not an employee of the company and is brought in to lecture,
both the speaker and the host company must comply with the
same guidelines applicable to all programs seeking Category
I credit. For example, if a well-known manufacturer is
invited to lecture at Company X, Company X applies for
Category I credits but must submit information given to them
by the manufacturer.
In this case, if the program and/or information are open
to the public, it will receive one (1) PCE per contact hour. If
the program is not identical to the sponsor’s (in this case the
manufacturer’s) regular program and the information is not
available at other venues, the lecture would receive no credit.
ABC does not award Category I continuing education
credits for NCOPE approved primary education courses.
Since these courses are developed for the purpose of
providing the core curriculum necessary to enter the
field, ABC wants to encourage its certified individuals
to participate in courses that will advance their skills
beyond the basic competencies.
Individuals wishing to receive credits for attending precertification course may do so by submitting a Category
II form along with their certificate of completion.
Agendas will not be necessary. Certified individuals
participating in a pre-certification course will be
awarded the following number of Category II credits:
Pedorthic Pre-Certification Courses
120 (S)
Orthotic Fitter Pre-Certification Courses 30 (S) + 2 (B)
Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Pre-Certification Courses11 (S) + 1 (B)
Mastectomy Fitter Pre-Certification Courses7 (S) + 1 (B)
Category II Credits
Category II credit is intended to provide opportunities
for O&P practitioners to be more self-directed in their
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continuing education. Practitioners can develop a personal
educational program, determine individualized educational
objectives and select the learning activities most effective to
reach those objectives. Category II continuing education
opportunities are generally independent, unsupervised
activities. Credits for this category must be applied for
independently by the practitioner.
SPONSORING CATEGORY I
CONTINUING EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
Program Requirements
1. Needs Identification - The program or activity must
be planned in response to the identified needs of a target
audience. This can be done by submitting a statement as to
why an audience would benefit from the program. What
makes the program new, different or of any value to the
profession.
Guidelines: The purpose of identifying learning
needs is to ensure that the planned activity is relevant to the
learner's continuing education and/or job requirements.
Needs may be identified in several ways, for example, input
from learners, their supervisors, their organizations, and/or
professions. The key to effective needs assessment is the
identification of the gap between what the learner knows and
what the learner needs to know. The documentation
produced by needs assessment becomes the basis for
developing learning outcomes.
2. Learning Outcomes - The continuing education
provider has a clear and concise written statement of intended
learning outcomes (i.e., behavioral or performance
objectives) for each continuing education program/activity.
This is the specific knowledge and/or information that the
program sponsor expects the audience to retain.
Guidelines:
Intended learning outcomes are
synonymous with behavioral and performance objectives.
Their purpose is to specify the determined skills, knowledge,
and/or attitudes that the learner should be able to demonstrate
following the continuing education experience. The learners
should be aware of these intended learning outcomes prior to
and during the activity. Such outcomes form the basis for
measurement of progress, periodic feedback, and final
assessment.
3. Speaker Qualifications - Qualified instructional
personnel are directly involved in determining the program
purpose, developing intended learning outcomes, and
planning and conducting each learning experience. Speakers
must be qualified to speak on the subject matter.
Guidelines: A systematic and sequential process
that fulfills the specified purposes and intended learning
outcomes of the continuing education experience requires
program leaders or instructional staff who have the following
qualifications:
a) Expertise in the subject matter and appropriate
credentials;
b) Qualifications include, but are not limited to
registration or certification earned, licensure or
credentials in the subject matter, educational
degree, medical degree, special training or
education, extensive experience in the subject
matter;
c) Understanding the purpose and intended learning
outcomes of the continuing education or training
experience;
d) Knowledge and skills in the instructional
methodologies and learning processes to be used;
e) Ability to communicate the educational content to
the participants at an appropriate level;
f) Exceptions to speakers' qualifications will be
considered as the information presented relates
uniquely to the speaker's background and
experience. Qualifications that relate specifically
to the content of the presentation will be
favorably considered; and
g) If deemed necessary by the Committee, program
sponsors may be asked to provide additional
information which establishes the speaker’s
qualifications to present the subject matter.
4. Methodology - Instructional methodologies selected
are consistent with stated learning outcomes, sequenced to
facilitate learning, and permit opportunities for the learner to
participate and to receive feedback.
Guidelines: The learner and the instructor have a
clear understanding of the method through which the
educational methods are presented. For example, learning
outcomes can be achieved through lectures, demonstrations
or through “hands-on” or laboratory sessions.
Content should be sequenced in a logical manner and
should proceed from basic to advanced levels. Instructional
methodologies should permit the learner to participate
interactively and to receive feedback that strengthens and
reinforces learning and measures progress.
5. Requirements for Satisfactory Completion Requirements for satisfactory completion are established for
each planned learning experience. These requirements are
based on the purpose and intended learning outcomes.
Participants should be informed of the requirements for
satisfactory completion prior to their participation (i.e.
program advertisement, continuing education announcement,
registration confirmation). Sponsors should not rely solely on
attendance as a requirement of satisfactory completion. It is
suggested that sponsors give serious consideration to a
pretest and post-test for satisfactory completion.
4
Guidelines:
The requirements for satisfactory
completion are established prior to the offering of the
program or activity through the mutual agreement of the
course coordinator, course director, or other persons
responsible for the overall PCE program. Requirements may
be based on the ability of participants to demonstrate what
they have learned, or some predetermined level of attendance
at sessions, or a combination of performance and attendance.
Programs that require achievement of certain
performance levels (such as independent study or video
home study) should be based on the intended learning
outcomes that have been clearly stated at the beginning of the
program. Requirements that focus on attendance only should
be high (i.e., 90 percent and above) and documented by such
means as attendance rosters or sign-in sheets. Regardless of
which form is used, sponsors need to answer the question,
"What was the most useful/valuable information gained from
this program/seminar?"
A. Sign-in Sheets - PCE credits are granted for a.m.
and p.m. sessions. Practitioners will receive credit for all-day
attendance only if their signatures appear on both the a.m.
and p.m. sign-in sheets. If their signatures appear on only one
session, they will receive one half credit for that day. If
practitioners fail to sign-in twice per day, they may
subsequently secure written proof of attendance from the
sponsor.
B. Assessment of Learning Outcomes – Procedures established during program planning are used, when
applicable, to measure the achievement of intended learning
outcomes specified for the program or activity as they relate
to changes in learners' knowledge, skills or attitudes.
Guidelines - Assessment refers to the measurement
of individual performance in relation to intended learning
outcomes. Assessment may be made during and/or at the
conclusion of the learning activity. Assessment made during
the activity may help to rein-force learning and provide a
point of reference for the progress of the learners. (For
example, a Q&A session during the seminar to assess if
needs are being met.)
The assessment procedure, its timing, and its
application are established as part of the planning process.
Because the assessment procedures depend on the intended
learning outcomes, they must be measur-able or observable,
clearly stated, and focused on the level of performance
expected of the learner. When a formal assessment of
learning outcomes is to be a part of a program or activity, the
purpose and nature of the assessment procedure must be
made known to the learner prior to the beginning of the
program.
Assessment may take diverse forms, such as
performance demonstrations under real or simulated
conditions, written or oral examinations, written reports,
completion of a project, self-assessment, or locally or
externally developed standardized examina-tions. Moreover,
assessments may be made during or at the conclusion of the
program or activity, or after some elapsed time following the
learning experience. Assessment will be made based upon
the type of learn-ing experience. For a lecture/ seminar the
best form of assessment may come from the evaluation
forms.
6. Sponsor Program Evaluation - During the course of
planning, a process is established to evaluate major aspects of
the continuing education experience, (i.e., organizational
input; the design, content, content level, and operation; and
the extent to which intended learning outcomes were
achieved.)
Guidelines: The distinction between assessment and
evaluation is: "assessment" refers to the measurement of
individual learning outcomes; "evaluation" refers to measures
of the quality of the administration and operation and of the
continuing education experience as a whole. Using only
participant reaction surveys will not yield the data needed for
an adequate assessment of a continuing education experience.
However, substantial and useful participant reaction surveys
can be designed: (1) to measure what the participants
consider to be the benefits of the learning experience; (2) to
determine participant satisfaction with the physical
arrangements; or, (3) for comparisons between different
offerings or between the same offerings on different
occasions. The evaluation process itself is one measure of
the quality of a continuing education program or activity.
The importance of evaluating the continuing
education experience(s) for the individual learner, user
groups and the sponsor or provider cannot be
overemphasized. Evaluation is a coordinated process carried
on by the total system and its individual subsystems (the
provider's organization and all facets of that organization that
are involved in continuing education offerings.) It consists of
making judgments about programs and activities based on
established criteria and observable evidence. Evaluation
takes into account the process followed in the program
planning effort and is intended to develop information aimed
at answering the following questions:
 Did the learning experience and the instructional
methods used satisfy the intended learning
outcomes?
 Were the intended learning outcomes appro-priate
for the stated purpose of the learning experience
and for the learners involved?
 Were the intended learning outcomes stated in
measurable or observable terms?
 Were the program inputs (decision making during
the planning process; fiscal, physical, and
instructional inputs of the provider) associated
with the learning outcomes?
 Was there a clear relationship between the
educational needs of the learners and the stated
purposes of the learning experience?
 Were the provider's philosophy, mission, structure,
functions, and processes effective and efficient in
5
producing the learning out-comes intended for the
learning experience?
Quality improvement, development and control of
continuing education programs are enhanced through longrange, systematic evaluation of what intended goals are in a
program, in relation to what actually occurs. The differences
found between what is intended and what actually occurs,
can be used as the base for whatever change is needed to
ensure that the intended learning outcomes are attained.
Sponsors and providers of continuing education may find
evaluations are a useful tool when accounting for the results
of their programming efforts.
Awarding Credits



Classroom or meeting session time led by an
instructor and/or discussion leader;
Activities in which a learner is engaged in a planned
program of learning;
Sessions allowing for learner assessment.
Activities NOT included when calculating
credits:



Breaks, meals or social activities;
Meeting time devoted to business or committee
activities,
announcements,
introductions,
welcoming speeches, reports, etc.
Time for study, travel, assigned reading, or related
activities outside the classroom or meeting.
A) Assessment of PCEs
PCEs are earned for educational contact of one quarter
(1/4) hour or more. Continuing education presentations of
less than one quarter (1/4) hour are not eligible for PCEs. All
PCEs shall accumulate in segments of one quarter (1/4)
hour or more. The committee encourages the grouping of
subject categories under which shorter presentations can be
given. Subjects that defy categorization must be 1/4 hour in
length.
B) Speaker Presentations
In the case where two or more lecturers can speak on the
same subject matter or theme/topic, credits can be maximized
by grouping the lecturers together. For example, if a
program with four speakers who are all speaking on the topic
of "organized sports for the dis-abled," and two speak for two
consecutive presentations of 8 minutes each, one speaks for
an 1/2 hour and one for an hour, the sponsor could receive
the maximum credits of 1.75 credits for that portion of the
program only if 1) the topics are organized under one subject
matter; and 2) the lectures are presented consecutively.
Credit will be awarded based on total accumulated credit for
total minutes of content, providing the presentations are all
topic related.
C) Panel/Group Discussions
Sponsors of O&P programs are encouraged to include
guided discussion sessions during each speaker presentation
or group of presentations. All panel or group discussions will
be included in the credit time awarded. The Committee
encourages and emphasizes the importance of audience and
presenter interaction in the learning process.
D) Sponsors may earn additional credits for those courses
that have a post-test.
Promoting and Advertising Category I
Approved Programs
Sponsors are responsible accurately promoting and
advertising for whom their program has been approved under
ABC Category I. To be eligible for Category I approval for a
specific discipline, the course/meeting must have at least 50%
content specifically related to that discipline. For those
individuals participating in your program that are not
credentialed by ABC in the approved discipline(s), Category
II credits may be awarded. A very limited description of
each credential is provided below. For additional information,
please reference the official Scope of Practice documents
found on the ABC website.
Certified Orthotist (CO): An individual specifically
trained and educated to provide or manage the provision
of a custom-designed, fabricated, modified and fitted
external orthosis to an orthotic patient, based on a
clinical assessment and physician’s prescription, to
restore physiological function and/or cosmesis.
Certified Prosthetist (CP): An individual specifically
trained and educated to provide or manage the provision
of a custom-designed, fabricated, modified and fitted
external limb prosthesis to a prosthetic patient, based on
a clinical assessment and a physician’s prescription, to
restore physiological function and/or cosmesis.
Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.): An individual who has
studied foot anatomy and pathology, biomechanics, shoe
construction and modification, foot orthosis fabrication
and materials, footwear fitting and patient/practice
management not to exceed the ankle.
A sponsor may receive double credit for the time it takes
to conduct a post-test and discussion period. Separate sign-in
sheets must be submitted for the course and for the post-test.
A copy of the test and an estimation of the time required to
take the test should be submitted with the application.
Certified Assistant in Orthotics and/or Prosthetics
(COA, CPA or CPOA): An individual, that while
under the direct or indirect clinical supervision of the
ABC-certified practitioner, is competent to perform
clinical assessment and patient management tasks.
Activities included when calculating credits:
Certified Technician in Orthotics and/or Prosthetics
(CTO, CTP or CTPO): An individual that provides all
of the technical implementation tasks and services
6
associated with the support of patient care. This includes
fabrication, modification and the repair of orthoses and
prostheses.
Certified Fitter of Orthotics (CFo): An individual trained
and qualified to participate in the fitting and delivery of
prefabricated orthotic devices and/or soft goods. A CFo
is competent to practice orthotics within a scope of
practice that is specific to fitting prefabricated and offthe-shelf orthoses as described below:
• Cervical orthoses, except those used to treat an
unstable cervical condition
• Prefabricated orthoses for the upper and lower
extremities, except those used in the initial and/or
acute treatment of long bone fractures and
dislocations, therapeutic (diabetic) shoes/inserts and
functional electrical stimulation orthoses (e.g. myoorthosis, neuroprosthesis)
• Prefabricated spinal orthoses, except those used in the
treatment of scoliosis or unstable spinal conditions, or
halo cervical orthoses
• Pressure gradient garments
• Trusses
Certified Fitter of Mastectomy (CFm): An individual
trained and qualified to participate in the fitting and
delivery of breast prostheses and mastectomy products
and services. A CFm is competent to practice within a
scope of practice that is specific to fitting breast
prostheses and mastectomy products and services.
Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes (CFts): An
individual trained and qualified in the provision of noncustom therapeutic shoes and non-custom diabetic
multi-density inserts. A CFts is competent to practice
within the scope of non-custom therapeutic footwear
only.
Sponsors may not use the ABC approval or logo to imply,
or mislead individuals into thinking, that participation will
increase or expand their stated ABC Scope of Practice. If
any sponsor is found to be releasing inaccurate or
misleading information relating to the eligibility of any
ABC credential holder's MCE requirements, that sponsor
will immediately be removed as an approved continuing
education provider.
Distance Learning Applications
Applications for distance learning opportunities must follow
the same criteria as live programs. However, all distance
learning opportunities are required to have a quiz/exam.
Presentations must exceed the 15 minute minimum to be
eligible for continuing education credits.
Course Process Overview
Document each step required to complete the course. For
example, “first 1.5 hours will be a review of a DVD,
student then reads the 4-page article from Journal of
Prosthetics and Orthotics, etc.” The quiz/exam should have
questions relevant to each part of the course. Provide a
header above each section of questions indicating to which
segment of the course they are relevant. All materials
must be provided with your application. For online
courses, ABC staff must be provided access to the course
for review.
Copy of the quiz/exam
The number of questions on the quiz/exam should be
appropriate for the length of the course. With a minimum
passing score of 80%, a minimum of 10 questions is
required.
Course-specific link for the ABC website
Sponsors must provide a course-specific link so that the
program may be posted on the ABC website.
All materials must be provided with your application.
For online courses, ABC staff must be provided access to
the course for review.
Credits for distance learning programs are entered on
February 28, May 31, August 31, November 30 and
December 31. Sponsors are required to submit their
completed eligible participants list as close to those dates as
possible.
There is a charge of $.50 for each ABC credentialed
participant for whom you submit credits. Invoices will be
sent at the end of each year.
Approval for a distance learning program or course is valid
for two (2) years. If you wish to reapply at the end of your
approval period, please submit the appropriate reapplication
form attesting that the content and relevance has not
changed. Current application fees at the time of
resubmission will apply.
Live webinars will be approved on a calendar year basis.
However, if those presentations are recorded to later
become available on-demand, the two (2) year approval
becomes effective from the date of the initial presentation.
Application Procedures
A) Submission
Formal applications are available from the ABC upon
request and can be downloaded from the ABC website at
www.abcop.org,
under
“Continuing
Education”.
Applications must be typewritten and include the
course/program or other outline and include the information
as requested above (see "Program Requirements").
Applications must be submitted to ABC for
evaluation by the Continuing Education Committee at
least 60 days prior to the program date for assurance of
receiving notice of credits prior to the program being
held.
7
Programs submitted less than 60 days prior to the
program, cannot be offered assurance of credit
notification prior to the program date.
John Doe, CPO
Sponsors that are holding the same program repeatedly
throughout the course of the year are requested to submit
additional program dates within a minimum of 30 days prior
to the program presentation. Sponsors need not resubmit a
program that remains the exactly same throughout the year.
Further, the sponsor must attest that the program is exactly
the same with no changes in either content, format or
presenters. Any substantive changes to the content, format or
presenters of programs offered repeatedly will require that
the program be re-submitted for application. A program that
is given each year must apply for credit each calendar year,
regardless of whether the program content changes. Program
approval is good for one calendar year.
D) Notification
B) Application Fee
CPO 1234
John Doe
Upon receipt of the completed application, sponsors will
be notified in writing of approval of PCE credits in
approximately six (6) weeks.
E) Transmittal of "Sign-in Sheets"
All sign-in sheets should be transmitted to ABC, via
certified mail, immediately upon conclusion of the program.
To avoid a delay in posting credits, sign-in sheets should be
transmitted to ABC within 30 days following completion of
the program. Sponsor cooperation in this matter is greatly
appreciated.
F) Submission of Sponsor Program Evaluation
An application fee of $100.00 must accompany the
submission of every program/course for Category I PCE
credit. The application will not be processed without the
application fee.
The program evaluation form completed by the sponsor must
accompany the sign-in sheets in order for the participants to
receive credits for attendance.
C) Processing Fee
G) Credit Reactivation Fee
Each session (a.m. and p.m.) will be charged at the rate
of $7.50 per session. However, programs using pre-printed
sign-in sheets including each attendee’s name and
certification number typed next to the signature line will be
charged $3.75 per session (see sample below). Each attendee
record that must be updated with attendance information will
be charged at the rate of $.50 per attendee. An invoice will
be sent following receipt of the sign-in sheets. ABC reserves
the right to deny processing of credits to programs that have
not submitted fees. Failure to remit processing fees may
affect future Category I approval.
There a $50 credit reactivation fee per individual for credits
that are reapplied after being removed at the request of the
sponsor. Should the participant later decide to pay the
appropriate registration fees to be eligible to receive credit,
the sponsor will be responsible for this payment. Failure to
submit this payment will postpone any future Category I
course approvals.
The policies governing Category I Credit Approval are
subject to change by the ABC Board of Directors.
Sample of Discounted Sign-In Sheet
Attendee
ABC Cert #
Signature
Rev. 7/11