Section 172-162-005 - CONTINUING EDUCATIONOn or before June 1st of each even-numbered year, individuals holding an active license in the State of Nebraska must complete at least 20 hours of acceptable continuing education hours during the preceding 24-month period.
005.01CONTINUING EDUCATION HOUR CALCULATIONS. The following provides the hour calculations for acceptable continuing education: 005.01(A)PROGRAMS AT STATE AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. Programs presented at state or national association meetings must relate to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of respiratory care. One hour for each hour of attendance;005.01(B)FORMAL EDUCATION COURSES. Formal continuing education courses must be: (i) Formally organized and planned instructional experiences;(ii) Have a date, location, course title, number of contact hours, signed certificate of attendance, and be open to all licensees;(iii) Have objectives that relate to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of respiratory care; and(iv) Be presented by an instructor that has specialized experience or training to meet the objectives of the course.005.01(C)ACADEMIC COURSEWORK. Courses related to respiratory care practice taken either in person or online for college credit will be accepted for continuing education upon submission of a transcript by the college or university from which the course was taken. Continuing education hours will be awarded as follows: (i) 1 semester hour of academic credit equals 15 continuing education hours; and(ii) 1 quarter hour of academic credit equals 10 continuing education hours.005.01(D)HOME STUDY. Home study will be accepted when the content of the home study activity relates to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of respiratory care, whether the subject is research, treatment, documentation, education, or management, for example, videotapes, internet courses, or correspondence courses. The program must have a testing mechanism scored by the named study provider. A licensee's documentation must include a certificate of completion and a program outline or objectives.005.01(E)MANAGEMENT COURSES. Management courses which relate to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of respiratory care will be accepted. A respiratory care practitioner may complete a maximum of 4 hours of continuing education utilizing management courses each 24-month renewal period. A licensee's documentation must include a certificate of attendance and a program outline or objectives.005.01(F)SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS. A licensee will earn contact hours for successful completion of nationally recognized specialty certification examinations related to an area of specialty practice in the field of respiratory care each 24-month renewal period. A licensee's documentation must include a copy of the certification that shows the date of the examination. Continuing education hours will be awarded as follows: (i) Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), 10 hours;(ii) Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), 10 hours;(iii) Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS), 10 hours;(iv) Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), 10 hours; and(v) Registered Respiratory Therapist (written and clinical simulation examinations), 15 hours.005.01(G)CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION CERTIFICATION. Basic or advanced cardiac life support for adults and pediatric or neonatal courses: (i) Maximum of 1 hour credit for the basic cardiac life support course during each 24-month renewal period;(ii) Maximum of 12 hours credit for initial advanced cardiac life support certification course or 6 hours credit for re-certification during each 24-month renewal period;(iii) Maximum of 8 hours credit for initial neonatal advanced life support certification course or 4 hours credit for re-certification during each 24-month renewal period;(iv) Maximum of 12 hours credit for pediatric advanced life support certification course or 6 hours credit for re-certification during each 24-month renewal period.005.01(H)IN-SERVICES. In-services that meet the requirements for formal education that cover: (i) Therapeutic respiratory care procedures; or(ii) Respiratory care equipment.005.01(I)PRESENTER OR LECTURER. One hour credit will be awarded for each hour of scientific presentation by a licensee acting as an essayist or lecturer to licensed respiratory care practitioners if the program relates to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to respiratory care. A licensee may receive continuing education credit for only the initial presentation during a renewal period, with a maximum of 4 hours of continuing education for presentations in a 24-month renewal period. Presenters may not receive any more hours of credit for a continuing education activity than an attendee could receive for the activity.005.02ACCEPTABLE PROGRAMS. The Board does not approve continuing education programs. In order for a continuing education program to be accepted for renewal or reinstatement of a license, the activity must include one or a combination of the following topic areas related to the practice of respiratory care therapy or clinical application: 005.03NON-ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION. Continuing education credit will not be awarded for programs that do not relate to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of respiratory care including: (A) Business communications and operations;(B) Medical terminology and language courses;(C) Courses which deal with personal self-improvement, financial gain, or career options;(D) Courses designed for lay persons;(E) Teaching unlicensed or uncertified persons, conducting research, or publications, or any preparation for the same;(F) Respiratory care on-the-job training;(G) Respiratory care orientation programs or staff meetings, including orientation to new policies, non-therapeutic procedures, equipment, forms, responsibilities, or services;(H) Presentation made by students; or(I) Participation in or attendance at case conferences, grand rounds, or informal presentations.172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 162, § 005
Adopted effective 5/17/2020