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Member Benefit Spotlight: Free Webinars! New CE Regulations Published

The NYSAPLS Finance Committee has received approval in NYS Register
from the NYSAPLS Board of Directors to once again offer our The “Continuing Education” bill
members TWO (2) FREE 1-hour 1st Friday Webinar for the (A.10021-A, Englebright/S.7986-A,
2021-2022 dues year as an added member benefit ($98 value). A Stavisky) signed into law as Chapter
coupon including the promo code will be sent to you after your 260 of the Laws of 2020; this new
membership has been renewed. If you miss placed your coupon, law effectively updates the continuing
contact our office for the promo code. Promo code valid for use education requirements for land
towards two 1-hour First Friday webinars only. Must be used by surveyors and engineers and extends
continuing education requirements to
7/31/22. Offer not redeemable for cash or future credit. Not valid geologists.
towards previous purchases. May not be combined with any other
coupons or discounts. May not be transferred. The impetus behind this law was that geologists, who first became
licensed in 2016, did not previously have any continuing education
Important Continuing Education Updates from the NYS requirements. While reviewing the law to make those updates, it
Education Department’s Office of Profession’s Website: was determined that this would be a good opportunity to update
the other design professions’ continuing education requirements.
Some regulations restrict licensees to a certain percentage of self-
study for continuing education requirements. In response to the Chapter 260 consolidates existing continuing education
requirements for geologists, engineers, and land surveyors into a
evolving situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), single section of law rather than three different sections. It also
and for those licensees whose registrations are due to renew eliminates the restriction on educational activity format to allow for
March 1, 2020 – January 1, 2022, the Department will grant flexibility in receiving credit remotely in addition to in person; the
an adjustment to all licensees to complete up to 100% of the law also allows for courses to be taken in architecture, engineering,
continuing education as self-study, provided that it is taken from interior design, land surveying, landscape architecture, and
a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject geology to contribute to continuing education as long as they meet
area for the specific profession. the requirements prescribed by the State Education Department.
Additionally, the Department will grant an adjustment to all Pursuant to the new requirements, up to six continuing education
licensees, regardless of registration renewal date, to utilize self- hours taken during one triennium may be rolled over to a
subsequent triennium. Finally, the sunset provision was removed
study for any coursework taken during the period from March and the new requirements are now permanent.
1, 2020 – January 1, 2022, provided that it is taken from a
Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject Chapter 260 takes effect on January 1, 2022.
area for the specific profession. Coursework taken outside that View bill: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a10021/
timeframe must meet the continuing education requirements in amendment/original
each individual profession’s laws and regulations.
Before the January 1, 2022, effective date, the State Education
SED is working closely with other New York State agencies and the Department must promulgate and implement regulations
Governor’s Office to tackle issues relating to COVID-19. Please relevant to this new requirement. After approval at the September
continue to monitor the Department’s website for updated guidance. Board of Regents meeting, the following proposed regulations
were published in the NYS Register: http://www.counsel.nysed.
Did you know NSPS has a Stolen gov/rules/indices-fulltext/2021/09 (also available here: https://
Equipment Registry? www.regents.nysed.gov/common/regents/files/921ppcd2.pdf).
This triggers the State Administrative Procedure Act, which allows
You can view the current registry at https:// for a 60-day public comment period prior to final adoption of
www.nsps.us.com/StolenEquipment any proposed regulations. Public comment will be received until
To report stolen equipment, please provide the following approximately November 30, at which time the Office of the
information by email to trisha.milburn@nsps.us.com: Professions will evaluate the need for additional changes before
the final adoption at December’s Board of Regents meeting.
1. Description of Instruments including Serial Number
2. Location where equipment was stolen, include nearest If you would like to submit comments about these proposed
Town and State regulations, email regcomments@nysed.gov with the subject line
“Comments on the regulations required by Chapter 260 of the
3. Date stolen Laws of 2020.”

4. Contact person to provide information, include phone Please let NYSAPLS know if you have any questions.
and/or email

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 57 • NO 6/ 2021 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 15