2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 10.481. Approved providers; approved course criteria
(a) Approved providers
The Judicial Council's Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER) is responsible for maintaining a current list of approved providers. The list of approved providers must include the Judicial Council, the California Judges Association, and all California state courts. The list and should also include other reputable national and state organizations that regularly offer education directed to justices, judges, and court personnel. The director of CJER may add or remove organizations from the list of approved providers as appropriate according to the criteria contained in (b). Any education program offered by any of the approved providers that is relevant to the work of the courts or enhances the participants' ability to perform their jobs may be applied toward the education requirements and expectations stated in rules 10.461-10.479, except for the requirements stated in the rules that require a specific provider or providers.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2023; previously amended effective January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2016.)
(b) Approved education criteria
Education is not limited to the approved providers referred to in (a). Any education from another provider that is approved by the Chief Justice, the administrative presiding justice, or the presiding judge as meeting the criteria listed below may be applied toward the continuing education expectations and requirements for justices, judges, subordinate judicial officers, clerk/executive officers, or court executive officers. Similarly, any education from another provider that is approved by the clerk/executive officer, the court executive officer, or the employee's supervisor as meeting the criteria listed below may be applied toward the orientation or continuing education requirements for managers, supervisors, and other employees or the content-based or hours-based continuing education requirements for probate court investigators, probate attorneys, and probate examiners in rule 10.478.
(1) The education must meet the following two criteria:
(A) The subject matter is relevant to the work of the courts or the judicial branch; and
(B) Anticipated learning outcomes (how new knowledge, skills, or abilities will be applied, demonstrated, or used) are identified prior to the education work.
(2) The education must also meet at least two of the following five criteria:
(A) The learning environment is educationally sound (e.g., distractions are limited and the physical location is conducive to learning the subject matter);
(B) The participant receives or has access to all the reference tools and other materials and resources (such as handouts) that are required for learning and applying the content (such as job aids or scripts);
(C) The participant has an opportunity to practice using or applying the new information or skill (through direct experience, role-play, or case studies/hypothetical situations) as part of the learning experience;
(D) The participant has the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable faculty or other experts in the topical area to pose questions or clarify understanding;
(E) An assessment tool or activity (such as the development of an action plan to apply the newly gained knowledge or skill) enables the participants to determine whether the skills, abilities, or knowledge gained through the education can be used in the future in their work.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2023; previously amended effective January 1, 2008; January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2018.)
Rule 10.481 amended effective January 1, 2023; adopted as rule 10.471 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended and renumbered as rule 10.481 effective January 1, 2008; previously amended effective January 1, 2012, January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2018.
Advisory Committee Comment
Subdivision (b). The director of CJER or their designee is available to assist those authorized to approve a request to apply education offered by a non-approved provider in determining whether the education meets the listed criteria.