(a) The department shall be authorized to require paramedics and cardiac technicians seeking recertification under this chapter to complete department approved continuing education of not less than 40 hours biennially. The department shall be authorized to approve courses including but not limited to courses offered by the department, the number of hours required, and the category in which these hours should be earned.

(b) The department shall be authorized to waive the continuing education requirement in cases of hardship, disability, illness, or under such other circumstances as the department deems appropriate.

(c) The department shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and ensure compliance with the requirements of this Code section.

(d) This Code section shall apply to each recertification cycle which begins after the renewal deadline in 2000.