(1) The commissioner will determine the number of credit hours assigned to a continuing education course. The commissioner will consider:

(a) The presentation minutes for a classroom course or webinar course;

(b) The word count and course difficulty level of the study material for a self-study course; and

(c) Course difficulty level based on whether the course is designed for inexperienced or experienced licensees and the complexity of the materials.

(i) Basic: A course designed for entry-level licensees or licensees new to the subject matter. Significant course time is devoted to building familiarity with appropriate terminology, definitions and concepts of the subject matter. The course is characterized as "an introduction to" or "the fundamentals of" the subject matter rather than application of the subject matter to client specific situations.

(ii) Intermediate: A course designed for licensees who have existing competence in the subject area and who seek to further develop and apply their skills. A minimal part of the course is used to review terms, definitions and concepts considered to be basic level subject matter. Course time is devoted to the application of the subject matter to client-specific situations through nonsophisticated case studies, problem-solving and calculations.

(iii) Advanced: A course designed for licensees who have extensive knowledge and a high level of competence in the subject matter and already specialize in the subject matter and related field of practice. No part of the course is used to review terms, definitions and concepts considered to be basic level subject matter. The course is designed to provide analysis of more sophisticated or complex issues concerning the subject matter. Significant course time is devoted to the application of the subject matter to client specific situations through complex case studies, problem solving or calculations.

(2) Generally, fifty minutes of instruction equals one credit hour.

(3) After evaluating the content of a continuing education course, the commissioner may assign fewer credits than the total hours the continuing education provider had requested for the classroom, webinar or self-study instruction.

(4) No continuing education course will be approved for less than one hour of continuing education credit. Continuing education credits will be assigned in one-hour increments.