Mandatory Continuing Education Reviews

A mandatory continuing education review explores whether there is a need for mandatory continuing education for a profession or occupation.  COPRRR staff is directed by statute to conduct a comprehensive study and then make recommendations to the Colorado General Assembly.  

Anyone proposing a mandatory continuing education requirement or a continuing competency requirement that includes mandatory continuing education for any occupation or profession, in any bill before the General Assembly, must first submit an application to COPRRR. 

Applications should include: 

• Information that shows the knowledge base for the profession or occupation is changing;
• In what states mandatory continuing education is required;
• Independent studies that show that mandatory continuing education assures the competency of practitioners;
• Any assessment tool that indicates that mandatory continuing education is effective; and 
• Recommendations concerning disciplinary actions for non compliance.

If your sunrise application proposing to regulate an unregulated occupation or profession also requires compliance with mandatory continuing education requirements, a mandatory continuing education review application must be submitted as well.

Provisions of section 24-34-901, C.R.S. are employed to evaluate all proposals for new mandatory education requirements. COPRRR impartially reviews the documentation presented in the application. Based upon that analysis it reports, in writing, to the General Assembly whether mandatory continuing education is likely to protect the public. 

To create the mandatory continuing education requirement, the applicant or some other party must seek legislation, and they may do so regardless of the findings of the mandatory continuing education review. The General Assembly makes the final determination whether mandatory continuing education requirements should be imposed upon an occupation or profession.