The state Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee recently advanced a bill that would allow certain workers to carry over excess continuing education credits.
The bill applies to people who are licensed under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and are subject to a continuing education requirement.
Any excess credits earned would be carried over to the next license renewal period. Carryover credits only would be valid for one biennial renewal term. This would give more flexibility in the continuing education process.
Pennsylvania has 29 licensing boards; 23 require some continuing education for license renewal. Only psychology currently allows for the carryover of excess credits.
“Carryover would allow licensees to create a cushion in the continuing education requirement by accumulating additional credits,” Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny), the bill’s sponsor, said. “It would also permit them to choose classes without fear of paying for unused credits, which would give them the freedom to choose courses based on content, not on the number of credits provided.”
Readshaw is the Democratic chairman of the committee.
The state’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs was formed in 1963. Each licensing boards has its own governing powers and functions.
The bill moves to the full Senate for consideration.