W. Va. Code R. § 29-1-14

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 29-1-14 - Continuing Education

14.1. In order to renew a Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology or provisional license, the licensee shall complete continuing education units that relate directly to professional growth and development, e.g., clinical skills. The continuing education requirements for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants are stated in the Board's Rule - Rule Governing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants, 29CSR2.

14.1.1. A person initially licensed during the last six months of the two year licensing period is not required to complete CEU's as a prerequisite for the first renewal of his or her license.

14.1.2. The Board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as extended illness, temporary disability, military deployment or officially declared disasters. The request for the exemption shall include corroboration of the circumstances.

14.2. A professional licensee shall obtain a minimum of 20 clock hours of continuing education during every two-year licensure period. Licensees who exceed the minimum continuing education requirement may carry a maximum of six hours forward to the next reporting period only. A provisional licensee shall obtain ten hours of continuing education during his or her provisional license year in order to renew his or her provisional license. An individual with professional licenses in both speech-language pathology and audiology shall obtain 15 clock hours of continuing education credits in each area, for a total of 30 clock hours during the two-year license period.

14.2.1. One clock hour per year (total of two clock hours) of approved ethics continuing education is required for license renewal.

14.3. The Board shall accept credits issued by the following organizations:

14.3.1. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

14.3.2. The West Virginia Speech-Language-Hearing Association;

14.3.3. The American Academy of Audiology; and

14.3.4. Activities approved by the Board.

14.4. Online continuing education courses will be accepted if issued/approved by the organizations in subsection 14.3 or approved by the Board.

14.5. The presenting licensee may count one and one-half times the value of a workshop the first time it is presented to allow for preparation time (Example: a three hour workshop = four and one-half hours of CE). The workshop will count for the actual hour value for each subsequent presentation of the same workshop.

14.6. Teaching at the college level in the area of communication disorders and audiology is not acceptable for continuing education.

14.7. A licensee shall attest to the completion of the required continuing education on the renewal application at the time of license renewal.

14.7.1. The licensee shall retain all continuing education documents for inspection by the Board for four years after the date of renewal.

14.7.2. The Board may audit licensees for continuing education compliance after every two year renewal cycle, to include:

14.7.2.a. Licensees who fail to attest to the completion of all required continuing education on the renewal application;

14.7.2.b. Fifteen percent of licensees may be selected for a random audit.

14.7.3. The Board shall notify licensees randomly selected for the audit by certified mail. The licensees shall respond by sending continuing education documents via email, fax or mail within 30 days of receiving the audit notification. The documentation may include completion certificates, ASHA CE Registry, AAA transcript, conference session logs, etc.

14.7.4. Licensees who fail to comply with the audit requirements may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

14.8. Continuing education activities from organizations other than those specified in subdivisions 14.3.1., 14.3.2.,14.3.3., and 14.3.4. of this rule require prior approval from the Board.

14.8.1. The licensee shall submit the following information for pre-approval of continuing education hours:

14.8.1.a. The name of the activity;

14.8.1.b. The name and credentials of the speaker or presenter;

14.8.1.c. The date and hours of the activity (including the agenda);

14.8.1.d. The location of the activity; and

14.8.1.e. The contact person or coordinator of the activity and his or her telephone number;

14.8.1.f. The goals of the activity;

14.8.1.g. The target group of the activity; and

14.8.1.h. The total number of continuing education hours requested for the activity.

14.9.1. The licensee shall request pre-approval (minimum 30 days in advance) from the Board for self-study or other appropriate CE hours.

14.9.2. Self-study activities include:

14.9.2.a. Professional presentations on recorded media including; audio, video, and online courses (both live and pre-recorded);

14.9.2.b. Reading of professional journal articles that contain self-examination questions at the end. The licensee shall submit the articles for pre-approval:

14.9.2.c. Reading journal articles and submitting summarization of articles to the Board; and

14.9.2.d. Publication of diagnostic and/or therapeutic materials:

14.9.3. Licensees who elect to audit university classes in speech-language pathology or audiology shall submit a self-study plan for pre-approval from the Board in order to qualify for CE credit.

W. Va. Code R. § 29-1-14