(a) Requirement for license renewal.--As a condition for the biennial renewal of a license to practice chiropractic, a licensee shall submit to the board evidence that he has completed at least 24 hours of continuing chiropractic education within the immediately preceding two-year period, provided that this requirement for continuing chiropractic education shall apply for the first time to the renewal of licenses in 1988.

(b) Qualifying education.--A licensee may receive credit for only those hours of continuing chiropractic education in a program approved by the board and for only those hours directed toward keeping the licensee apprised of advancements and new developments in chiropractic which build upon the basic courses required to practice chiropractic and which are in the following areas:

No credit shall be given for any course in office management or practice building.

(c) Application by sponsors.--Prior to receiving board approval for a program of continuing chiropractic education, a sponsor shall submit to the board, in writing, the following information at least 90 days prior to the date on which the program is scheduled to be presented:

(d) Action on application.--The board shall notify each sponsor, in writing, of approval or disapproval of the application within 45 days of the receipt of the application. If an application is disapproved, the board shall detail the reasons for disapproval in order that the sponsor may cure any defect and submit an amended application in a timely manner.

(e) Evidence of completion.--Each licensee, in order to qualify for biennial renewal of his license, shall complete a form provided by the sponsor and supplied by the board which contains the name of the licensee, business address, name of the sponsor and instructor, course taken, hours completed, date and place of the continuing education program offered, and a signed statement sworn and attested to by the licensee that the licensee was fully in attendance at the program offered and that the information in such form is true and correct. The licensee shall be responsible for sending this form to the board.

(f) Notification.--The board, within 30 days after the effective date of this act, shall notify all licensees subject to this section that they will be required to complete 24 hours of continuing education within the two-year period before the renewal period commencing in 1988 and shall notify such licensees of continuing education required when renewal applications are issued for 1988 and every renewal period thereafter.

(g) Approved programs.--A continuing education program offered by a chiropractic college approved in accordance with this act and attended by a licensee must be accepted by the board so long as the course requirements of this section are met.

(h) Exceptions.--The board may make exceptions to the continuing education program requirements in emergency or hardship cases on the basis of evidence submitted in proof of an emergency or hardship.