MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                  787

3.

(E) (1) ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 1977, CERTIFIED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS WHO HAVE CERTIFICATES, AND WHO HAVE
REGISTERED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE, SHALL
COMPLY WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ADOPTED BY
THE BOARD AS A PREREQUISITE TO THE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL OF
REGISTRATIONS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING.

(2)    THE BOARD MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS
[[INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO]] CONSISTENT WITH THE

PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION WHICH

INCLUDE, A DEFINITION OF BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR
CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND A SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND
REPORTING.

(3)    IN EXERCISING ITS POWER, THE BOARD SHALL
ESTABLISH STANDARDS WHICH WILL ASSURE REASONABLE CURRENCY
OF KNOWLEDGE AS A BASIS FOR A HIGH STANDARD OF PRACTICE
BY CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS. THE STANDARDS SHALL BE
ESTABLISHED IN A MANNER TO ASSURE THAT A VARIETY OF
ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO CERTIFICATE HOLDERS AND
REGISTRANTS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTINUING
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION. THE
STANDARDS SHALL TAKE COGNIZANCE OF SPECIALIZED AREAS OF
PRACTICE.

(4)    CERTIFICATE HOLDERS SHALL NOT BE
REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE BOARD TEST SCORES OR GRADES
WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ANY
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS APPROVED BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD
MAY NOT REQUIRE EXAMINATIONS IN REGARD TO THE CONTINUING
EDUCATION PROGRAMS, BUT MAY, AT ITS DISCRETION,
SUBSTITUTE A TEST OR EXAMINATION IN LIEU OF PARTICIPATION
IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AT THE REQUEST OF A CERTIFICATE
HOLDER.

(5)    THE BOARD MAY APPOINT A CONTINUING
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS, FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT, AND AS DIRECTED BY THE
BOARD, THE COMMITTEE SHALL ASSIST THE BOARD IN THE
ADMINISTRATION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVISIONS.

(F) (1) IN THE CALENDAR YEAR IMMEDIATELY

PRECEDING__THE YEAR FOR WHICH REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED,

THE APPLICANT MUST COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF 40 HOURS OF

ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION. ALL HOURS IN EXCESS OF
THE 40 HOURS REQUIRED FOR ONE YEAR CAN BE CARRIED FORWARD

TO APPLY AS CREDIT TO THE 40 HOUR REQUIREMENTS OF THE

FOLLOWING TWO YEARS.

(2) (I) THE BOARD MAY____APPROVE FOR

SATISFYING THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT IN PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, TECHNICAL SESSIONS OF PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETIES AND CHAPTERS, UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE COURSES.
FORMAL ORGANIZED IN-FIRM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRMS, SEMINARS OFFERED BY GOVERNMENTAL