For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Approved continuing education course" or "course" means any course, seminar, or program of instruction that has been approved by the department for presentation as part of the continuing education requirements for claims examiner certification and that relates to the state workers' compensation system or to interactions among injured workers, medical providers, and employers.

(2) "Certificate of completion" means a document issued by the sponsoring organization to the claims examiner signifying satisfactory completion of a course and reflecting credit hours earned by the claims examiner.

(3) "Claims examiner" means a claims examiner as defined under 39-71-116, MCA.

(4) "Classroom setting" means a course format in which a body of students meets to study the same course materials under the direction of the same approved instructor.

(5) "Credit hours" means the value assigned to a course by the department, upon review and approval of course materials and content outline.

(6) "Instructor" means an individual who meets the requirements set forth in 24.29.844, is identified by a sponsoring organization in a course submission, participates in course presentations, activities and discussions, and who may monitor the attendance and conduct of course participants, or administer examinations.

(7) "Proctor" means a person who monitors the attendance, conduct, and the examination process for course participants, but who does not participate in course presentations, activities or discussions, or complete any required examinations.

(8) "Remote training" means a course format in which a body of students attend a training session using a web meeting tool and/or conference telephone service with a method approved by the department to ensure full participation of each student.

(9) "Self-study" means those independent study methods taught outside the classroom setting through approved text, audiotape materials, videotape materials or another method of information exchange.

(10) "Significant change" means a change in two or more of the following course elements:

(a) course goals or objectives;

(b) major course topic(s);

(c) course length;

(d) syllabus or course outline;

(e) teaching method; or

(f) examination method.

(11) "Sponsoring organization" means any group(s) or organization(s) and their agent(s) that submit courses for department review and offer or provide approved courses for continuing education credit to allow claims examiner certification and are responsible for those course offerings.