How long must records of continuing education be retained by providers?

Continuing education records are essential for demonstrating that pharmacists have met the required education standards necessary to maintain their licensure. In Minnesota, the regulations stipulate that providers of continuing education must retain detailed records of the courses offered, including attendance and completion for a period of three years. This retention period ensures that there is sufficient time for regulatory review or audits, allowing authorities to verify compliance with continuing education requirements.

A retention period of three years aligns with standard practices in many states, reflecting the necessity of keeping this documentation readily available for regulatory scrutiny while allowing a reasonable timeframe for assessment of educational engagement. This ensures both accountability for the education providers and compliance for the licensees involved. Keeping these records for a further extended period or shorter duration would not meet the regulatory standards set forth in Minnesota's pharmacy laws.