Promoting Regulatory Excellence

Host:Deanna Williams

Presented at the 2006 CLEAR Annual ConferenceAlexandria, Virginia

Founded 1980

In 1980, a group of professional and occupational regulators and private sector representatives, met in New Orleans to discuss their need to share information.

Goal of New Organization

The goal was to better achieve their shared mission of public protection.

The result was The Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR).

A Resource for All

They decided the new organization must include representatives of

- all governmental sectors

- the private sector

- others with an interest in the field

A Broadly-Based Constituency

The organization would thus be a resource to everyone involved in the licensure, certification or registration of the hundreds of regulated occupations and professions, both non-health and health.

Holistic Approach

This inclusive approach worked well for CLEAR's members and continues as an excellent vehicle for responding to a necessarily diverse constituency.

The Early Years

CLEAR was originally supported by state regulatory agencies and The Council of State Governments.

CLEAR’s early leaders designed and implemented many of the programs and projects that continue today.

Regular Membership

Regular CLEAR membership is open to governmental agencies concerned with professional and occupational regulation, and other approved governmental jurisdictions and individuals.

Associate Membership

Associate CLEAR membership is open to approved non-governmental organizations, individuals representing an organization not eligible for regular membership, and private individuals.

Membership Community

Within a few years of its founding, CLEAR's organizational culture was enriched as first Canadian members, then Western European and others decided to participate.

International Office

CLEAR’s Office of International Affairs based in England provides assistance to all non-North American constituencies.

Meeting its Mission

CLEAR meets its mission through

- conferences and training- publications- answering Inquiries- consulting - providing opportunities for peer-to-peer

networking

An Educator, Not a Regulator

CLEAR defines its educator role by

- proactively identifying critical issues

- providing a dynamic, interactive forum

- collecting and disseminating information

Inquiry Areas

CLEAR supports three areas of substantive inquiry on an ongoing basis.

The annual conference program is structured around these areas.

Area 1: Professional Discipline

The percentage of budgets that most state and provincial agencies spend on professional discipline activities is quite high.

The current focus includes best practices in all phases of the investigative process from complaint to final decision.

Area 2: Credentialing/Exams

Candidate entry into professions and occupations is a critical part of the regulatory process.

Issues include: - leveraging the Internet

- managing exam programs- candidate accommodation

Area 3: Policy/Administration

All agencies face the same policy and operational issues.

Current policy issues include:- disaster preparedness- unregulated professions- accountability- ethics

Special Interest Groups

CLEAR sponsors five special interest groups:

- autonomous agency administrators

- central agency administrators

- facilities regulation

- health issues

- legal issues

CLEAR EXAM REVIEW

CLEAR Exam Review (CER)

- a semi-annual part-journal

- focused on licensing examination issues

- intended for all audiences

CLEAR News Online

CLEAR News, an online Web log, provides timely information relative to the CLEAR organization and on general issues of interest to professional regulators.

Anyone may receive notices by subscribing to CLEAR’s ListServe.

Conferences and Beyond

CLEAR offers

- the premier annual conference on

professional regulation

- training programs

- topical seminars upon request

Training Programs

- Board Member

- Executive Leadership for Regulators

- NCIT: Basic and Specialized

- On demand

Board Member Training

- with annual conference

- online

- upon sponsor request

Online BMT Curriculum

- The History and Purpose of Regulation- Role of a Board Member- Administrative Rulemaking- Licensure Examinations- Professional Discipline- Continuing Competence

A self-paced course – each module takes about 40 minutes to complete

Executive Leadership Program

for Regulators

- prepared by Canadian and US regulators to meet the needs of both

- three-day program

- offered in conjunction with the annual conference and upon request

Executive Leadership Program Curriculum

- Creating a positive public relations

program

- Creating an appropriate working

relationship with legislators

- Regulatory leadership

The NCIT

- The National Certified Investigator/Inspector Training (NCIT)

- started in 1984

- programs held several times a year throughout the US and Canada.

- programs coordinated between CLEAR and host agencies.

About the Basic NCIT

- training modules include lectures, role playing, and video presentations

- basic program concludes with an examination that can lead to certification

- completion of the Basic NCIT is a prerequisite for attending the specialized program.

Basic NCIT Curriculum

- Administrative law and the regulatory process

- Professional conduct and inter-agency relations

- Investigative process

Basic Curriculum Cont’d.

- Principles of evidence

- Evidence collection, tagging and storage

- Interviewing techniques

- Report writing

- Administrative and criminal proceedings (US & Canadian versions offered)

Specialized NCIT Curriculum

Provides advanced certification in

– Advanced Interviewing– Investigative Analysis– Investigative Report Development

Faculty

All CLEAR’s training programs are presented by faculty members expert in handling the common challenges faced by professional and occupational regulators.

Training on Demand

Upon request, CLEAR can also meet various training needs.

You don’t have to shoulder the entire burden by yourself

CLEAR can come to your agency or organization

Committees

Much of CLEAR's work is carried out through various standing committees and special interest groups.

These groups meet at least twice a year to conduct business.

Volunteers

It is primarily through the extraordinary contribution of its many volunteer members that CLEAR accomplishes its mission.

You are cordially invited to join one or more of these committees. To participate, fill out the form in your packet.

CLEARHQ.ORG

Last is CLEAR's much-beloved Web site. The address is http://www.CLEARHQ.org

On this site, we have links to regulatory agencies, associations and other stakeholders as well as a host of other information.

The Bottom Line

CLEAR promotes excellence through its educational programs, networking opportunities, publications, inquiry and other services for everyone involved with the professional and occupational regulatory community.

Promoting Regulatory Excellence

Thank You!

Presented at the 2006 CLEAR Annual ConferenceAlexandria, Virginia