Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 16-1-11 - Continuing Education11.1. A "unit" is one clock hour spent in a continuing education activity unless otherwise defined in this section.11.2. All licensees desiring to remain "active" and in good standing must complete 24 units of board approved continuing education within the 2-year licensing period. If the licensee does not complete the 24 units of board approved continuing education within the license period, that licensee will be placed on delinquent status and will be subject to all fees associated with delinquent status. 11.2.1. For those applicants reinstating their license for a period of six months or less, only six units are required for that year.11.2.2. Volunteer licensees need only to complete 20 units of board approved continuing education activities within a two-year renewal cycle. 11.2.3. Accumulated CEU's may not be carried over from one renewal period to another. 11.2.4. A new graduate does not need continuing education hours for the current year of graduation. 11.3. Completion of examinations, residencies, fellowships, tools, and courses for continuing education credit. 11.3.1. A maximum of eight units per license period can be obtained from any combination of clinical instruction or competency tools.11.3.2. Passing the following specialty examinations will qualify for 24 contact hours of continuing education in the year the examination is taken: 11.3.2.a. Specialty examinations and recertification administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). 11.3.2.b. The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) certification examination. 11.3.2.c. Continuing education course instructors can receive one unit per hour of class instruction time will be awarded for board approved continuing education courses in the year the course given. Credit awarded to the instructor for said course will be granted only one time. 11.3.3. The successful completion of an American Physical Therapy Association credentialed residency or fellowship program will qualify for 24 contact hours of continuing education in the year the residency or fellowship is completed. 11.3.4. The successful completion of a practice review tool of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy pertaining to continued competence will qualify for continuing education. 11.3.4.a. Eight contact hours of continuing education will be awarded for completion of a practice review tool. 11.3.4.b. Licensees may use a practice review tool identified in paragraph 11.3.4.a. of this section no more than every other renewal period. 11.3.5. Clinical instruction. 11.3.5.a. Providing clinical instruction to physical therapist or physical therapist assistant student(s) enrolled in a CAPTE approved physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program can qualify for up to a maximum 8 units per year. 11.3.5.b. Four weeks of clinical instruction is equal to one unit of continuing education. 11.3.6. Continuing education courses are subject to board approval.11.3.6.a. One unit per hour of class instruction time will be awarded for board approved continuing education courses in the year the course is taken.11.3.7. One unit per hour of class instruction time shall be awarded and automatically approved for CAPTE College/University, American Physical Therapy Association, Board of Certification or West Virginia Physical Therapy Association sponsored continuing education courses in the year the course is taken. 11.3.8. One unit per hour of class instructions for CAPTE college or university physical therapy or doctorate physical therapy programs.11.4. The Board may grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements in the case of illness, disability, or undue hardship. 11.4.1. A request for waiver form must be completed in full. In the case of illness or disability, a physician's statement is required. 11.4.2. All completed forms must be received by the Board for consideration no later than the first day of October of the year preceding the renewal date. 11.4.3. A waiver may be granted for any period of time not to exceed one renewal cycle. 11.4.4. In the event that the illness, disability, or hardship continues to the next renewal cycle, then a new waiver request is required. 11.4.5. Should a waiver be granted due to disability or illness, the Board may require the individual to provide appropriate documentation from a physician or another qualified and appropriate practitioner to verify the individual's competency and ability to practice physical therapy in the state of West Virginia prior to the return to active practice of physical therapy in West Virginia. 11.5. The Board reserves the right to conduct randomized continuing education audits.