Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.36

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 8, May 31, 2024

Section 680-X-2-.36 - Continuing Education For Pharmacists

(1) Pharmacists shall complete thirty (30) hours of continuing education each renewal cycle as a condition of licensure renewal. By submitting the biennial renewal, a pharmacist is representing their compliance with this requirement by the end of the relevant renewal cycle.

(2) Section (1) shall not apply to pharmacists applying for the first renewal of their license. If a pharmacist has only been licensed for one full calendar year, they shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education for the first renewal of their license. If a pharmacist has been licensed for less than one full calendar year, no continuing education is required for the first renewal of their license.

(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 or ACCME 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 pharmacist must complete at least six (6) hours of live continuing education through attendance at a course(s), within the renewal cycle. If a pharmacist has only been licensed for one full calendar year, they must complete at least three (3) hours of live continuing education.

(5) It is the responsibility of each pharmacist to maintain and compile accurate records relating to all continuing education courses or activities they have attended and completed. It shall be the responsibility of each pharmacist to maintain above-described documentation and information pertaining to each year for a period of two (2) years and 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 or information to be maintained or submitted by each pharmacist as described herein to assure compliance with these rules. Failure to maintain the documentation or information set forth in these rules or 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 pharmacist, on the first violation to a non-disciplinary administrative penalty authorized by Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-33(b) an amount not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) as determined by the board.

(7) Upon written request to the Board of Pharmacy, and upon the demonstration of good and sufficient cause, the Board of Pharmacy may grant a waiver or extension of time for the completion of the annual hour requirements for continuing education as set forth herein. The pharmacist 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 for it to make a decision concerning that waiver or extension.

(8) Any pharmacist who allows their license 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 fifteen (15) hours of continuing education in the manner prescribed above for each lapsed calendar year. If a license is lapsed for more than five (5) calendar years, in addition to the examination requirement set forth in Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-52, the Board may require as a condition for reinstatement any amount of continuing education deemed appropriate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.36

New Rule: Filed July 6, 2006; effective August 10, 2006.

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. 01, October 31, 2019, eff. 12/15/2019.

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

Author: Donna C. Yeatman, R.Ph., Executive Secretary

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-23-92.