24 Del. Admin. Code § 3700-8.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024
Section 3700-8.0 - Continuing Education For All Licensees8.1 Philosophy 8.1.1 Continuing education is required by the Board to maintain professional licensure in the fields of Speech/Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing. Continuing education requirements arise from an awareness that these fields are in a continual state of transition due to the introduction of new philosophies and the refinement of already existing knowledge. Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers should continually strive to update their clinical skills in an effort to deliver high quality services.8.1.2 The Board is keenly aware of existing educational opportunities in Delaware and neighboring states and has established regulations which will provide continuing education credit as effortlessly as possible while assuring quality instruction. Credit will be given for participation in a variety of activities that increase knowledge and enhance professional growth.8.1.3 These regulations recognize the financial and time limitations of Delaware's professionals while assuring continued appropriate services to those individuals who require them.8.2 Continuing Education Criteria 8.2.1 One continuing education contact hour (CE) is defined as 60 minutes of attendance/participation in an approved continuing education activity unless otherwise stated. (Therefore, credits and continuing education units (CEUs) issued by various organizations must be translated. e.g., 1.0 ASHA CEU=10 CE's)8.2.2 The required number of CEs varies with the date of issuance of license, certification and/or professional status. 8.2.2.1 New License: There is no CE requirement for a license issued for less than one year. If a license would cover more than one year, but less than 2 years, the licensee is required to obtain 15 CEs or one-half of the required total hours.8.2.2.2 Single License: Individuals with a license in only one (1) area of specialty must obtain a minimum of 30 CEs each two-year license renewal period.8.2.2.3 Dual License: Individuals with licenses in two (2) areas of specialty must obtain a minimum of 30 CEs during each two-year license renewal period, with 15 CEs obtained in each specialty area. One course may be split between specialty areas to fulfill multiple CE requirements. Content must be shown to be relevant to those areas.8.2.2.4 Temporary License: All CE requirements will be waived for temporary licensees; however, individuals are encouraged to participate in continuing education activities during their CFY period.8.2.2.5 Hardship. An applicant for license renewal may be granted an extension of time in which to complete CE hours or a total or partial waiver of CE requirements upon a showing of hardship. Hardship may include, but is not limited to, disability, illness, extended absence from the country and exceptional family responsibilities. No extension of time or waiver shall be granted unless the licensee submits a written request to the Board prior to the expiration of the license.8.2.3 CE courses must focus on the enhancement of clinical skills and professional growth as defined below.8.2.3.1 Clinical Skills: conferences, workshops, courses, etc., that expand a licensee's scope of practice by enhancing skills in the areas of prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the client (minimum of 20 CEs per licensure renewal period).8.2.3.2 Professional Growth: conferences, workshops, courses, etc., that may not directly impact on clinical services to the population being served but are of interest to the licensee and will allow the licensee the opportunity to stay abreast of current trends in the profession or related fields of interest (maximum of 10 CEs per licensure renewal period).8.2.4 All CE activities must be approved by the Board. A licensee or CE course sponsor may request advance approval from the Board by submitting a completed Board Approval form. Approval may be requested after the conclusion of a course, but there is no guarantee the course will be approved.8.2.5 CE is required for license renewal and shall be completed by July 31 of odd-numbered years.8.2.5.1 Proof of continuing education is satisfied with an attestation by the licensee that he or she has satisfied the requirements of Section 8.0.8.2.5.2 Attestation must be completed online.8.2.6 Random audits will be performed by the Board to ensure compliance with the CE requirements. The Board will determine the percentage of licensees to be audited.8.2.6.1 The Board will notify licensees within sixty (60) days after July 31 of each biennial renewal period that they have been selected for audit.8.2.6.2 Licensees selected for random audit shall be required to submit verification within twenty (20) days of receipt of notification of selection for audit.8.2.7 Verification shall include such information necessary for the Board to assess whether the course or other activity meets the CE requirements in Section 8.0. While course brochures may be used to verify CE hours, they are not considered to be acceptable proof for use of verification of course attendance. Verification must include, but is not limited to, the following information:8.2.7.1 Date of CE course;8.2.7.2 Instructor of CE course;8.2.7.3 Sponsor of CE course;8.2.7.4 Title of CE course; and8.2.7.5 Number of hours of CE course.8.2.7.6 Certificate of completion and/or ASHA or American Academy of Audiology (AAA) continuing education registry documenting course completion.8.2.8 In response to the audit, audiologists and hearing aid dispensers shall submit documentation of calibration of electronic equipment used to assess hearing, as set forth in Section 7.0.8.2.9 Licensees who are not audited shall retain their CE documentation for three (3) years after renewal.8.2.10 Licensees who renew their license under the late renewal provision shall be audited for CE completion (and equipment calibration, if applicable). These licensees shall submit documents that evidence satisfactory completion of their CE requirements (and annual equipment calibration pursuant to Section 7.0, if applicable) for the prior licensure period.8.2.11 The Board shall review all documentation submitted by licensees pursuant to the CE audit. If the Board determines that the licensee has met the CE requirements, his or her license shall remain in effect. If the Board determines that the licensee has not met the CE requirements, the licensee shall be notified and a hearing may be held pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act. The hearing will be conducted to determine if there are any extenuating circumstances justifying the noncompliance with the CE requirements. Unjustified noncompliance with the CE requirements set forth in these rules and regulations shall constitute a violation of 24 Del.C. § 3715(a)(7) and the licensee may be subject to one or more of the disciplinary sanctions set forth in 24 Del.C. § 3716.8.3 Acceptable CE Courses/Activities8.3.1 CE activities sponsored by accredited professional organizations, such as ASHA or AAA, are acceptable, provided the topics are relevant to the improvement of the licensee's clinical skills or professional growth as defined in subsection 8.2.3.8.3.2 A licensee may receive up to three (3) CE's for training obtained from a colleague who, after attending a professional conference, gives a formal presentation of the information from the conference after developing an agenda and outline.8.3.3 University/College coursework for academic credit in the field of Speech/ Language Pathology, Audiology, or Hearing Aid Dispensing. A course description must be submitted to the Board for approval. (1 undergraduate credit=minimum of 3 CE's; 1 graduate credit=minimum of 5 CE's)8.3.4 Professional presentations. A presentation summary must be submitted to the Board for approval. Credit may be given for a presentation only once during a licensure period. (1 hour of presentation=3 CE's)8.3.5 Professional publication in related specialty journals. A reprint of the publication must be submitted to the Board for approval.8.3.6 Other continuing education may be approved by the Board with documentation of content.8.3.7 Excluded are any job related duties in the workplace such as staff meetings, CPR, etc.24 Del. Admin. Code § 3700-8.0
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