Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.37

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 680-X-2-.37 - Continuing Education For Pharmacy Technicians

(1) Pharmacy technicians shall complete six (6) hours of continuing education within the renewal period, as a condition of registration renewal. By submitting the biennial renewal, a pharmacy technician is representing their compliance with this requirement by the end of the relevant renewal cycle.

(2) Section (1) shall not apply to pharmacy technicians applying for the first renewal of their registration. If a pharmacy technician has only been registered for one full calendar year, they shall complete three (3) hours of continuing education for the first renewal of their registration. If a pharmacy technician has been registered for less than one full calendar year, no continuing education is required for the first renewal of their registration.

(3) In order to receive credit for continuing education, the continuing education shall be previously approved by the Board. Any requests for approval of continuing education shall be submitted to the Board no less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to offering of the continuing education. A condition of approval shall be that the continuing education is pertinent to the practice of pharmacy. However, this requirement shall not apply to ACPE approved continuing education courses for which a program number is available.

(4) Continuing education may be completed by either attendance or by distance-based program, video or by publications; however, a pharmacy technician must complete at least two (2) hours of live continuing education within each renewal cycle. If a pharmacy technician has only been registered for one full calendar year, they shall complete at least one (1) hour of live continuing education.

(5) It is the responsibility of each pharmacy technician to maintain accurate records relating to all continuing education courses they have completed for a period of two (2) years. This information shall be submitted to the Board of Pharmacy within thirty (30) calendar days after a request for the same by the Board.

(6) The Board of Pharmacy shall randomly audit the continuing education documentation to assure compliance with these rules. Failure to maintain the documentation or information set forth in these rules, the submission of false or misleading information or documentation to the Board of Pharmacy, or failure to submit requested documentation or information within the time specified by the Board may subject the pharmacy technician, on the first violation to a non-disciplinary administrative penalty authorized by Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-33 an amount not less than twenty five dollars ($25.00) or more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) as determined by the Board.

(7) Upon written request to the Board of Pharmacy, and upon the demonstration of sufficient cause, the Board of Pharmacy may grant a waiver or extension of time for the completion of the requirements for continuing education as set forth herein. The pharmacy technician who seeks such a waiver or extension shall submit to the Board of Pharmacy any documentation required by the Board which the Board deems appropriate.

(8) Any pharmacy technician who allows their registration to lapse for a minimum of one (1) calendar year but not more than five (5) calendar years, shall be required as a condition for reinstatement to provide documentation of their completion of three (3) hours of continuing education in the manner described above for each lapsed calendar year. If a registration is lapsed for more than five (5) calendar years, the Board may require as a condition for reinstatement any amount of continuing education deemed appropriate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.37

New Rule: Filed July 6, 2006; effective August 10, 2006. Amended: Filed November 29, 2007; effective January 3, 2008. Amended: Filed October 14, 2008; effective November 18, 2008.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 04, January 31, 2019, eff. 3/8/2019.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2020, eff. 10/15/2020.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 12, September 30, 2022, eff. 11/14/2022.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 09, June 28, 2024, eff. 8/12/2024.

Author: Alabama State Board of Pharmacy

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-131.