1.  Requirement.  Beginning July 1, 2026, as a prerequisite to renewal of a licensed architect's license under section 224, an applicant shall satisfactorily complete continuing education courses, programs or activities each year in the area of health, safety and welfare as set forth by rules adopted by the board. The rules must require an applicant to complete not less than 12 hours of approved health, safety and welfare continuing education as a condition of renewal. An applicant may not repeat for credit the same continuing education course, program or activity within a license renewal cycle. An applicant is responsible for maintaining evidence of that applicant's continuing education hours and shall submit such evidence of continuing education hours to the board upon renewal of that applicant's license.  

2.  Exemption.  An architect who receives an initial license to practice architecture from any jurisdiction, including a foreign jurisdiction, is exempt from the requirements of subsection 1 for 2 years from the date of issuance of that initial license, as long as the architect has not been previously licensed by any jurisdiction, including a foreign jurisdiction, for a period of 2 or more years.  

3.  Program approval.  Each application for approval of a continuing education course, program or activity must be submitted to the board annually according to the rules adopted by the board together with any fees required pursuant to section 222.  

4.  Rulemaking.  The board shall adopt rules necessary to carry out this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.