Okla. Admin. Code § 690:10-3-8

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 690:10-3-8 - Continuing education (CE) for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech - language pathology assistants

(a)Purpose. The purpose of continuing education requirements for speech-language pathologists and audiologists is to assure that licensees update and advance their skills such that the public shall benefit from the most current and effective standards of professional practice. To further the goal of public benefit, all speech-language pathologists and audiologists are encouraged to fulfill a portion of their continuing education requirements in the area of ethics, professional conduct, and related legal issues.

(b)Clock hours required for license renewal. A licensee must obtain a minimum of twenty (20) clock hours of acceptable continuing education, including at least three clock hours of professional ethics in a two-year period. The continuing education period begins in January of every odd-numbered year. A speech-language pathologist or audiologist obtaining initial licensure during a two-year period shall have his or her continuing education requirement prorated to 2.5 clock hours per every full three month quarter remaining in the two-year period. If the total of pro-rated hours is less than five clock hours, the requirement for at least three clock hours of ethics does not apply.

(c)Approval of continuing education activities required. Continuing education hours may be granted for acceptable educational activities which are approved by the Board, or by a committee appointed by the Board. No hours will be granted for any activities or categories of activities that have not been approved. A provider of educational activities may apply to the Board for pre-approval of an activity. The provider shall be responsible for compliance with the standards for approval of the activity, verification of participation, and for the provision of the necessary verification of attendance forms to all participants. This verification of attendance form shall include: The participant's name, the presenter's name and credentials, the presentation topic, the program sponsor or agency, the location of the presentation, the dates of presentation, and the total number of clock hours attended. A list of preapproved activities is available on the website or by contacting the board office. Any activity not included on this list will require approval by the Board for credit.

(d)Exceptions to the requirements. Exceptions to the pre-approval requirement may be granted at the discretion of the Board for programs presented by recognized sponsors whose programs have been pre-approved by the Board. The university academic semester hour is equivalent to fifteen (15) clock hours, and shall be verified by the presentation of an official academic transcript showing course or audit credits. The licensee is ultimately responsible for providing all information necessary for the Board to make a final determination concerning the acceptability of any requested continuing education hours.

(e)Fee for approval. Providers of continuing education programs may be charged a fee for approval of their program. This fee shall be set by the Board.

(f)Kinds of educational activities for which credit may be received. Continuing education hours may be earned through formal organized learning experiences, scientific publications, attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of international, national, regional, or state professional associations, or through presentations to appropriate groups not related to the speech-language pathologist's or audiologist's regular employment.

(g)Hours allowed. Continuing education activities, whether received or presented by the speech-language pathologist or audiologist, must be targeted toward a professional audience. In those instances when the speech-language pathologist or audiologist is teaching in programs such as institutes, university or college courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences which have been granted approval by the Board, three (3) clock hours will be given for each one (1) hour that is taught, provided that such teaching is not part of the speech-language pathologists or audiologists regular employment. Publication in a professionally related format approved by the Board shall be equal to up to twenty (20) clock hours. Completion of select job-required activities such as CPR training, etc. can be counted once in the two-year period for a maximum of 20% of the total required hours. Other activities may be credited as authorized and disseminated separately by the Board.

(h)Petition for extension. A speech-language pathologist or audiologist who fails to comply with the required twenty (20) hours of continuing education in the two year continuing education period ending December 31 may, by submitting an individual review fee of fifty ($50.00), petition the Board for a ninety (90) day extension. Failure to meet this deadline may result in disciplinary action. The petition for extension shall be filed prior to the expiration of the continuing education period.

(i)Petition for hardship relief. A speech-language pathologist or audiologist may petition the Board for partial or complete relief of the continuing education requirements upon the showing of incapacitation or serious illness of licensee or licensee's immediate family member, or licensee's absence from the United States for a period of at least eighteen (18) months during the continuing education period, or the licensee is a member of the armed forces on full-time active duty during the continuing education period. The petition for hardship relief should be filed prior to the expiration of the continuing education period, and will be accepted no later than February 1st of the year following the audit period.

(1) Individuals with medical disabilities must provide evidence that documents the inability to work in the professions, such as a letter from a doctor or a Social Security Administration determination letter. Individuals with medical disabilities will be required to sign an affidavit confirming that they are not providing or supervising the provision of clinical services. In addition, individuals with temporary medical disabilities will be required to affirm every two years that they continue to be classified as medically disabled.

(2) Members of the armed forces on full-time active duty will be required to provide a copy of their deployment orders and a signed affidavit stating they will not practice during their deployment. They will be assigned a new 2-year maintenance interval that will start on January 1 of the year following their return. If licensees are deployed for the purpose of providing clinical services or supervising the provision of clinical services, an exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

(j)Audits of continuing education. The Board will conduct audits every two years (every even year) of licensee compliance with continuing education requirements.

(1) A minimum of 3% of licensees will be audited.

(2) Those audited will be required to submit verification of completion for each continuing education activity completed within the audited period. The verification shall be signed by the course provider and shall include the title of the activity, the course description, the number of contact hours and a contact for verification of participation. An official continuing education transcript from a Board approved provider is acceptable verification. The verification must be submitted within thirty (30) days of receipt of notification of selection for audit. Failure to submit verification as required shall be considered non-compliance with the continuing education requirements, and the licensee shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph four of this subsection.

(3) Licensees will maintain all original documentation of attendance, course agendas and/or other supporting documentation. The Board may request copies of such documentation as is necessary to determine if an activity will be accepted for continuing education credit. The Board will destroy all such copies following the audit.

(4) Licensees found to be non-compliant with the continuing education requirement shall have ninety (90) calendar days from receipt of notification of continuing education deficiency to complete the following:

(A) obtain continuing education hours sufficient to meet this requirement;

(B) submit verifications of completion to the Board;

(C) pay a penalty fee equal to half of the licensure renewal fee. This fee is in addition to any fees for late license renewal. Such hours may not be counted toward fulfillment of future continuing education requirements. Failure to comply with the provisions of the paragraph within the ninety (90) calendar day period may result in disciplinary action.

Okla. Admin. Code § 690:10-3-8

Added at 15 Ok Reg 4234, eff 7-31-98 (emergency); Added at 16 Ok Reg 1247, eff 5-13-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 1786, eff 5-25-01; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 1119, eff 5-13-04; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1961, eff 6-25-10; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 2112, eff 7-11-11

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 31, Issue 24, September 2, 2014, eff. 9/12/2014

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 33, Issue 24, September 1, 2016, eff. 9/11/2016

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017