(1) A continuing education program or course must be relevant to peer support services, counseling, or coaching and must contribute to the advancement or enhancement of the professional competence of the credential holder. Courses or workshops primarily designed to increase practice income or office efficiency are not eligible for CE credit.

(2) Continuing education courses, seminars, workshops, training programs, and institutes must be approved by an industry-recognized professional organization or institutions of higher learning as identified in WAC 246-929-315 that is directly related to peer support services, peer counseling, mental health, or substance use disorder treatment.

(3) Distance learning programs approved by an industry-recognized professional organization or educational organization may meet these requirements. Distance learning courses must require a test of comprehension upon completion to qualify as continuing education.

(4) Credit hours for a continuing education course are determined by the amount of time the training takes to complete.

(5) A certified peer support specialist who prepares and presents lectures or education that contributes to the professional competence of other peers or behavioral health providers may accumulate the same number of hours obtained by attendees. The hours for presenting a lecture or education on a specific topic may only be used for continuing education credit once during each reporting period.

(6) Other learning experiences, such as serving on a panel, board or council, professional research, peer consultation, or publishing articles for professional publications are acceptable if the experience contributes to the advancement or enhancement of the professional competence of the certified peer support specialist. The experience is limited to six hours per reporting period.