(1) Continuing education for licensees is formal training that:

(a) provides new knowledge and skills to assist with advanced decision making;

(b) offers greater depth of knowledge and skills in a particular area of operation;

(c) enhances professional attitudes and behaviors;

(d) advances career goals;

(e) promotes professional development and currency in operations;

(f) supports innovation and creativity in operations;

(g) implements change within the individual's professional operations; or

(h) addresses new and developing standards of operations.

(2) To qualify, continuing education courses must relate to the licensee's occupation. In addition to training and education that is specific to a licensee's occupation, the board approves the following topics of study:

(a) Private investigators and process servers may complete continuing legal education (CLE) approved by a state bar on legal topics that relate to their respective operations.

(b) Alarm runners, installers, resident managers, and security guards may complete continuing education on the topics related to their practice defined in 37-60-101, MCA.

(3) Providers of continuing education that are acceptable to the board include:

(a) professional organizations that establish standards and criteria for continuing education programs, and/or serve or represent practitioners of the licensee's occupation;

(b) academic institutions of higher learning;

(c) continuing education courses that have been approved in another state; and

(d) POST-approved instruction.

(4) Licensees cannot count any firearms training received under ARM 24.182.420 and 24.182.421 toward the continuing education requirement.