Ala. Admin. Code r. 798-X-8-.01

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

Section 798-X-8-.01 - Continuing Education

(1) A respiratory therapist shall be individually accountable for continued competence to practice respiratory therapy and shall maintain documentation to support all continuing education necessary for renewal.

(2) The Board may prescribe a continuing education program for reentry into practice.

(3) Individual requests to verify approval for a specific course or activity may be submitted to a Board-approved provider.

(4) Units of measure for continuing education shall be:

(a) 1 contact hour = 50 minutes

(b) 0.5 contact hour = 25 minutes

(c) 15 contact hours = 1 academic semester credit hour

(d) 10 contact hours = 1 academic quarter credit hour

(5) Hours required.

(a) Each respiratory therapist licensed by the Board shall complete twenty-four (24) contact hours of continuing education over the two-year licensure period. Initial licensure periods which have been prorated to have the renewal date fall on the established renewal date will be prorated for 1 contact hour for each month of the initial licensure periods. Any course accepted for credit shall be at least 25 minutes in length.

(b) For new graduates of respiratory therapy programs, submitting proof of successful completion of a respiratory therapy program accredited by CoARC shall be proof of sufficient preparatory education to receive an initial license up to one year following graduation.

(6) Waiver or extension of continuing education

(a) The Board may grant a waiver of the need to attend and complete the required hours of continuing education or the Board may grant an extension of the deadline to complete the required hours of continuing education if it can be shown that compliance was beyond the control of the person seeking the waiver.

(b) Waivers or extension of the deadline will be considered only on an individual basis and may be requested by submitting the following items to the Board office:

(i) A written request for a waiver or deadline extension which specifies which requirements are sought to be waived or which deadline is sought to be extended and a written and signed explanation of the reason for the request; and

(ii) Any documentation which supports the reason(s) for the waiver or deadline extension requested or which is subsequently requested by the Board.

(c) A waiver or deadline extension approved by the Board is effective only for the renewal period for which the waiver is sought.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 798-X-8-.01

New Rule: Filed May 16, 2005; refilled August 10, 2005; effective September 14, 2005.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2017, eff. 8/19/2017.

Author: The Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-27B-l thru 34-27B-17.