March 2020

North Carolina Licensing Board For General Contractors

ApplicationProcess

CourseDevelopmentGuidelines

Course ApprovalApplication Formwith Attachments

Course Approval

Application Packet

Application Process for Course Approval

1. The applicant completes the Application for Course Approval and submits the application to the Board. If the applicant does not own the course content, the applicant must also submit a properly completed Content Use Authorization Form. Failure to do so will result in a denial. Completed applications and forms should be emailed to education@nclbgc.org. *Please do not drop off or mail hard copies of course materials to the NCLBGC office - all materials must be submitted electronically.

2. Applicant submits course review fee to the Board by either calling the Education Department and providing credit card information over the phone, or by mailing a check to The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors at 5400 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. Checks should be made payable to NCLBGC. The fee is non-

refundable. Course review will not begin until payment has been successfully submitted. Initial course review fees are $25 per credit hour requested.

3. The Board’s Education Committee will review applications and forms for completeness and compliance with continuing education requirements and will recommend approvals to the Board.

4. If corrections are needed or more information is required, the Board’s education staff will contact the applicant using the contact information provided in the application. Email is the preferred method for communication and for submission of corrections.

5. Once the Board gives final approval, the application is approved, and the applicant is assigned a course number.

Course Development Guidelines

This document contains specific recommendations for elective course development and

approval; however, it does not contain all rules, requirements, and information affecting

course providers and instructors. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a replacement or

substitute for reading the Board’s continuing education rules. It is essential that all

prospective providers, instructors, and elective course developers thoroughly read the

complete rules for continuing education before attempting to use the information in this

document. This material is provided to supplement the Board’s rules concerning elective

course subject matter and criteria for elective course approval. The subject matter

guidelines are intended to assist prospective course providers in determining whether

the content of a particular course (or proposed course) is likely to be found acceptable

by the Board. The course development guidelines contain suggestions on developing

acceptable courses.

Basic Elements for Elective Course Subject Matter:

1. A proposed elective course shall cover subject matter that is deemed relevant

statewide, and provides information that will increase a qualifier’s knowledge,

professionalism, and competency in the practice of general contracting as

determined by the Board.

2. As a general rule, it is best to select a fairly specific topic and address that

topic in depth, or to select the most important points relating to a topic and focus

on those points.

Minimum Requirements for Approval

For All Elective Courses:

1. Should include substantive information relevant to the practice of general

contracting which shall consist of two hours or four hours of instruction, offering

two or four CE credit hours, respectively (one credit hour is equal to 50 minutes

of instructional time).

2. The application should include:

a. Course Objective – What will the student know or be able to do upon completion of this course? What is the intended outcome? Do students only need awareness or recognition of the information presented? Or

will they need to be able to apply the information and/solve problems? The objective statement should be brief, clear, and address what the course should accomplish and should define the standard of acceptable performance of the students upon completion. Course objectives are the keystones for the design and development of the course. The design should be based on principles of adult learning, and the presentation should reflect the goals of the learning objectives. Objectives should be attainable in the allotted time session.

b. A narrative of the substantive information – Key points to be

made/discussed must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate

the information is current, complete, and otherwise appropriate.

Information should follow a systematic approach, ensuring all elements

interconnected. Topics should each build upon the other, moving from

simple to complex.

c. A timed outline, including any breaks or meals – total instructional

time should be equivalent to the number of CE credit hours requested.

(One credit hour is equal to 50 minutes of instructional time). A brief,

topic outline is not sufficient – be as detailed as possible, clearly

stated, using full sentences to describe each topic, as well as its

relevance to the course objectives. The timed outline should easily

map to the course content provided. For example, the topics listed in

the timed outline should tie back to the applicable slides in the

accompanying powerpoint presentation if your course will be taught

utilizing slides and lecture. The time (in minutes) devoted to each topic

listed should be clearly stated. If slide presentations are not used to

deliver information to students, then detailed instructor notes

describing the content to be discussed, the flow of that content, and

the number of minutes that will be devoted to each segment must be

provided and must clearly align with the timed outline.

d. Instructional methods/aids to be employed – (lecture,

question/answer, case studies, demonstrations, group discussions,

role plays, games, etc.)

e. Teaching tools to be used for delivery – (PowerPoint slides, props,

hands-on equipment, videos, flipcharts, whiteboards, computer, etc.)

3. If the provider seeking course approval does not own the course content, the

Provider must also submit a completed Content Use Authorization Form, along

with the Application for Course Approval. This form, found on the Board’s website,

must be properly completed and signed by the course content owner, and

acknowledges that the content owner gives the provider seeking course approval

permission to use the content for the purpose of offering the course for continuing

education credits through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General

Contractors.

4. Courses shall not be designed to promote specific products, services or markets.

5. Course reviews include reviews of both course content and delivery method.

For Instructor-led, Classroom Setting Elective Courses (Students and

Instructor are not separated by time but may be separated by distance):

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for approval listed under “All

Elective Courses”, the following requirement must also be satisfied:

1. If the instructor is not physically present in the classroom (for example, the

instruction is streamed in live from a location apart from the students), then a

proctor must be physically present with the students in the classroom to

monitor attendance and participation.

For Web-Based eLearning Online Elective Courses (Students register and

log-in through the internet for continuing education delivered through e-Learning

modules):

*Please note: Web-based eLearning online elective courses are not allowed until January, 2021.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for approval listed under “All

Elective Courses”, the following requirements must also be satisfied:

1. All online courses shall be fully developed prior to submittal to the Board for review.

2. A set of log-in credentials shall be provided to the Board at no cost to the

Board at the time of submission for review of the online course. Log-in

credentials shall also be made available at no cost at any time when requested by the Board in its sole discretion for audit purposes.

3. Providers of online courses shall clearly state to students the technical

requirements necessary for accessing the course, provide a technical support phone number or email address available to those students who require technical support for accessing and/or completing the online course.

4. Providers shall implement measures to verify student identity. At a minimum, the provider shall collect the student’s qualifier number at the time of registration for an online course. The student shall be required to enter the qualifier number each time he/she accesses the online course, and this number shall match exactly the qualifier number provided during registration. Otherwise, the student shall not be permitted to access the course.

5. Students shall complete all online elective courses 30 days from course

registration or no later than November 30th of each year.

6. North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors requires a timing device for all online education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours.

7. Online continuing education courses shall consist of e-learning modules

that will include no more than fifty minutes of curriculum.

8. Each module shall include a knowledge check which will consist of at least 5 questions per 50 minutes of online instruction. A passing score of 70% is required to move to the next module. A student is allowed up to 5 attempts to earn a passing score; otherwise, the student will be required to revisit the applicable modules again before attempting to answer the knowledge check questions again.

9. A summative assessment quiz at the end of the final module which will

consist of twenty (20) questions and includes questions pertaining to each module. A passing score of 70% is required to pass the course and to earn a certificate of completion. The student shall not be allowed to access the summative assessment quiz until that student has actively participated in

100 minutes of documented onscreen instruction for a 2-hour course or 200 minutes for a 4-hour course.

10. A certificate of completion will be provided to each student and the

continuing education hours and all payments will be uploaded to the Board

per 21 NCAC 12B .0204.

Application For Course Approval 

Before completing this application, the applicant should read the Continuing Education Rules found  in 21 NCAC 12B, as well as the Course Development Guidelines document. 

Each course approval request must be submitted on a separate application.

The Application For Course Review must be submitted with payment of required fees –course review will not begin until the review fee has been submitted.

Fees are non‐refundable.

Information on this application must be typewritten or completed in dark ink.

Legal Name of Applicant ___________________________________________________________

The applicant is the entity or person applying as provider of continuing education courses. If applicant is a corporation, partnership, or LLC, list the company as the applicant.

Applicant’s Mailing Address: ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

County____________________ Telephone Number (_____)___________________

Provider Number (if known): ___________________

CE Coordinator Name __________________________________________________

CE Coordinator Email _____________________________________________

CE Coordinator Phone (Office)______________ (Cell)_________________

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors 

Proposed Title of Course:

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Number of CE Credit Hours Requested_________________

Do you own the course content?

Yes (if yes. please respond to the next statement if applicable; then proceed to the question titled “Brief Background/Overall Purpose of the Course”)

If you have given permission for any other Board-approved provider(s) to use the content of this course, please list the name of the provider(s) below:

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

No (if no, the Content Use Authorization Form must be submitted with this application. This form, found on the Board’s website, acknowledges the content owner gives you permission to use the content for the purpose of offering as a course for continuing education credits through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Failure to include this properly completed and signed form will result in a denial of this application)

Is the content owner a Board-approved provider for this course?

Yes (if yes, answer the following)

Content Owner’s Provider Name____________________________________

Content Owner’s Board-approved Provider # (if known) ________________

Board-approved Course ID#_____________________

No (if no, continue to the next question)

Brief Background/Overall Purpose of the Course

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes (What will the student be able to do after completion of

the course?)

Teaching Techniques Planned for the Course (lecture; question & answer; case studies;

demonstrations; group discussions; role plays; games; etc)

Teaching Tools to be Used for the Course (whiteboards; PowerPoint slides; Props; Hands-on

Equipment; Videos; flipcharts; computers; etc)

List of Instructor(s) to Teach the Course (if currently known) *Please note - Providermust submit an “Application For Instructor of Continuing Education” as well as a “Provider Acknowledgement of Instructor Approval Form” for each instructor.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Checklist of additional items that must be included with this application:

Electronic copy (pdf format, etc) of powerpoint slides,course manuals, notebook of content material, etc that clearly demonstrates the entirety of course content

A timed agenda of the course outline or syllabus, including breaks and mealtimes. Should reflect 100 minutes of instructional time for a 2-hour course or 200 minutes for a 4-hour course.

Electronic copies of any student materials (optional as inclusion to this application; however, all students must receive either a hardcopy or electronic copy of the material presented and must be available upon request to the Board)

A fully completed and properly signed Content Use Authorization Form, if current applicant is not the course content owner.

Signature and Certification

This application must be signed by the owner (if sole proprietorship), a managing partner (if a partnership), or a major officer authorized to submit such application (for other types of business entities). If applicant is a community college or college/university, the application must be signed by the vice‐president or dean responsible for the institution’s continuing education program (or by the institution’s president). 

I hereby certify that all information submitted in connection with this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that omission or inaccuracy may be grounds for denial of approval, and that the applicant and all persons in its employ will comply with the the requirements of the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors regarding the conduct of continuing education courses. 

Printed Name and Title of Applicant or Legal Designee: ________________________________

Signature of the Applicant or Legal Designee: _______________________________________

___________________ Date

03/2020

Content Use Authorization Form

The undersigned, _______________________________________________________________, (Legal Name of Content owner. If content owner is a corporation, partnership or LLC, list the company as the content owner)

as content owner of:

Course Title: ___________________________________________________________,

hereby authorizes _______________________________________________________________ (Provider requesting authority to use course content)

permission to use the approved course for the purpose of offering the course for general contractor continuing education credits through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.

This form may not be altered in any way, nor any additional addendums added.

This form must be signed by the content owner (if sole proprietorship), a managing partner (if a partnership), or an officer authorized to grant such permission. If content owner is a community college or college/university, the form must be signed by an authorized representative for the institution’s continuing education program (or by the institution’s president).

I hereby certify that no other individual or parties hold ownership interest in the course described above, that I hold all rights to the course listed, and the permission granted herein does not violate any third-party rights or applicable laws. I hereby certify that I am authorized to sign on behalf of the entity listed below.

Content Owner Legal Name: (Please print)_____________________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Printed Name: ____________________________ Title: ______________________

rev. 06/2020

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors

(Person authorized to grant permission of content use on behalf of the content owner)Date:_________________

Phone# ___________________ Email: _________________________________