24 Del. Admin. Code § 1790-9.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 1790-9.0 - Continuing Education

9.1 Professional Development Activity Points Required for Renewal

9.1.1 Licensees are required to complete (30) Professional Development Activity (PDA) points biennially. Licensees shall retain all certificates and other documented evidence of participation in an approvedccredited continuing education program for a period of at least (3) three years. Upon request, such documentation shall be made available to the Council for random audit and verification purposes.

9.1.2 PDAs shall be prorated for new licensees in accordance with the following schedule:

Two years remaining in the licensing cycle requires - 30 hours

One year remaining in the licensing cycle requires -15 hours

Less than one year remaining in the licensing cycle -exempt

9.2 Exemptions

9.2.1 A licensee who because of a physical or mental illness during the license period could not complete the continuing education requirement may apply through the Council to the Board for a waiver. A waiver would provide for an extension of time or exemption from some or all of the continuing education requirements for one (1) renewal period. Should the illness extend beyond one (1) renewal period, a new request must be submitted.

9.2.2 A request for a waiver must be submitted sixty (60) days prior to the license renewal date.

9.3 Criteria for Qualification of Continuing Education Program Offerings

The following criteria are given to guide licensees in selecting an appropriate activity/program and to guide the provider in planning and implementing continuing education activities/programs. The overriding consideration in determining whether a specific activity/program qualifies as acceptable continuing education shall be that it is a planned program of learning which contributes directly to professional competence in the practice of acupuncture.

9.3.1 Definition and PDA Point Requirements

9.3.1.1 Each hour of continuing education is equal to (1) PDA point.

9.3.1.2 Fifteen of the required 30 PDA points shall enhance core knowledge, skills and abilities and shall be in biomedicine and/or one of the five branches of Oriental medicine (e.g., acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese dietary therapy, Qigong, Asian bodywork therapy). Four the 15 core PDA points shall be taken in safety and/or ethics (e.g., CPR, herbal safety, universal precautions, clean needle techniques, ethics and liability, public health reporting requirements).

9.3.1.3 The remaining 15 PDA points may be taken in electives that directly contribute to a licensee's knowledge or practice of acupuncture (including Western science and medical practices, medical ethics, medical research, practice management, adjunctive therapies, patient education, and disaster relief training, etc.).

9.4 Acceptable Activities/Programs

9.4.1 Acceptable activities and programs include:

9.4.1.1 Additional NCCAOM Certification: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for successfully achieving an additional certification from NCCAOM in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, or Asian bodywork therapy (Required Documentation: Copy of the NCCAOM certificate including certification date which must be within the two year renewal period);

9.4.1.2 Passage of the NCCAOM or other approved Biomedicine Examination: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for successfully passing the NCCAOM Biomedicine examination. (Required Documentation: A copy of the official letter notifying the licensee of their test score including the exam date which must be within the two year renewal period).

9.4.1.3 Service on a Professional Board: Serving on a regional, state, or national board or committee related to acupuncture may be submitted for a maximum of 5 PDA points submitted per renewal period. (Required Documentation: A letter, printed on letterhead from the organization's chair verifying participation dates of service, and in what capacity.)

9.4.1.4 Clinical Experience: Completing a supervised clinical experience in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Oriental medicine or Asian bodywork therapy which includes observation, case discussions, and/or supervised practice. The experience must be conducted in a formal clinical setting and be part of an educational or preceptor program. One PDA point is equal to one hour of supervision with a maximum of 5 PDA points per renewal period. (Required Documentation: A letter from the school or preceptor who must be an NCCAOM Diplomate in active status for 5 years. Date(s), hours, and type of experience are required on letterhead stationery)

9.4.1.5 Directing Clinical Supervision: Supervising a clinical experience in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Oriental medicine or Asian bodywork therapy which includes directing students in observation, case discussions, and/or supervised practice. The experience must be conducted in a formal clinical setting and be part of an educational or preceptor program. One PDA point is equal to one hour of supervision with a maximum of 5 PDA points per renewal period. (Required Documentation: A letter from the school or preceptor, on letterhead, indicating the date(s), hours, and type of supervision.)

9.4.1.6 Research in Oriental Medicine: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for documented research in acupuncture or Oriental medicine. The licensee must be a primary researcher, and the research must be funded (not self-funded). (Required Documentation: One PDA point is equal to one hour of research. A letter from the school, hospital or official agency funding the research is required. The letter, on letterhead, must be accompanied by a copy of the published abstract showing the licensee's name as contributor.)

9.4.1.7 Teaching or Lecturing: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for teaching and/or lecturing in acupuncture or Oriental medicine subjects. (Required Documentation: One PDA point is equal to one hour of teaching. Date(s), number of classroom hours, course title, and instructor's name is required on letterhead stationery from the providing organization, or listed on a school transcript)

9.4.1.8 Tai Chi/Qigong: A maximum of 5 PDA points may be submitted for Tai Chi and exercise Qigong courses. One PDA point is equal to one hour of instruction. (Required Documentation: Date(s), number of hours, course title, and instructor's name is required on either an end-of-course certificate or letterhead stationery from the providing organization.)

9.4.1.9 Language: A maximum of 5 PDA points may be submitted for the study of a second language relevant to a practitioner's practice. One PDA point is equal to one hour of instruction. (Required Documentation: Date(s), number of hours, course title, and instructor's name is required on either an end-of-course certificate or on letterhead from the providing organization.)

9.4.1.10 Publications: Includes writing and editing books, professional journals, and articles in Oriental medicine. PDA points may be permitted as follows:

9.4.1.10.1 Author a Book: A maximum of 15 PDA points may be submitted for authoring a book in the field of Oriental medicine that is at least 150 pages in length. (Required Documentation: Copy of the book cover and title pages showing the date, ISBN number, abstracts, and executive summaries.)

9.4.1.10.2 Author a Chapter in a Book: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for authoring chapters in a book in the field of Oriental Medicine. Five PDA points may be gained for each chapter with a maximum of submitting two chapters per renewal period. (Required Documentation: Copy of the book cover and title pages showing the date, ISBN number, abstracts, and executive summaries).

9.4.1.10.3 Edit a Book or Professional Journal: A maximum of 10 PDA points may be submitted for editing a professional book or journal. Five PDA points may be gained for each book or professional journal with a maximum of submitting two books/journals per renewal period. (Required Documentation: A letter, on letterhead, from the author of the book or the editor in chief of the journal is required. The letter should describe the licensee's participation in the editing process including the title of the book/journal, publishing date, ISBN number, abstracts, and executive summaries.)

9.4.1.10.4 Publication of a Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: A maximum of 10 points may be submitted for authoring an article in a professional, peer-reviewed journal in the field of Oriental medicine. Five PDA points may be gained for each article with a maximum of submitting two articles per recertification cycle. (Required Documentation: Copy of the article, the cover of the journal, and the table of contents that show the date, article title, and author.)

9.4.1.10.5 Author an Article: A maximum of 5 PDA points may be submitted for writing an article that is published. (Required Documentation: Copy of the article and the cover of the newspaper or magazine that shows the date and table of contents or article listing.)

9.4.1.10.6 Formal Continuing Education Programs: All PDA points may be obtained by taking formally organized courses which satisfy the content requirements of Regulation 9.3.1.2 and are approved by the Board or sponsored and/or approved by and sponsored by the following organizations and their member organizations:

9.4.1.10.6.1 The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM),

9.4.1.10.6.2 The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM),

9.4.1.10.6.3 The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM),

9.4.1.10.6.4 The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM),

9.4.1.10.6.5 The National Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NAAOM),

9.4.1.10.6.6 The Society for Acupuncture Research,

9.4.1.10.6.7 Center for Oriental Medical Research and Education (COMRE),

9.4.1.10.6.8 The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association,

9.4.1.10.6.9 The National Acupuncture Teachers Association, or

9.4.1.10.6.10 The American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists;

9.4.1.10.6.11 World Health Organization (WHO),

9.4.1.10.6.12 National Institutes of Health (NIH),

9.4.1.10.6.13 The National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine (NIHOAM),

9.4.1.10.6.14 American Medical Association (AMA),

9.4.1.10.6.15 American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

9.4.1.10.6.16 American Nurses Association (ANA),

9.4.1.10.6.17 American Psychiatric Association (APA),

9.4.1.10.6.18 American Hospital Association (AHA),

9.4.1.10.6.19 American Lung Association (ALA),

9.4.1.10.6.20 Red Cross;

9.4.1.10.6.21 Local colleges;

9.4.1.10.6.22 Local hospitals; or

9.4.1.10.6.23 Other professional or educational organizations as approved periodically by the Board upon the recommendation of Council. (Required Documentation: Certificate of attendance documenting hours attended and/or credits awarded.)

9.4.2 No continuing education PDA points will be given for advocating legislation or for peer Reviewed Posters and/ or exhibits.

9.4.3 PDA points for foreign study are subject to the approval of the Council and Board.

9.4.4 Approval of continuing education is at the discretion of the Council and with the approval of the Board. PDAs earned in excess of the required credits for the two (2) year period may not be carried over to the next biennial period.

24 Del. Admin. Code § 1790-9.0

13 DE Reg. 858 (12/01/09)
16 DE Reg. 434 (10/01/12)