24 Del. Admin. Code § 2600-13.0

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

Section 2600-13.0 - Mandatory Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (24 Del.C. Section 2607(a))

13.1 Three CEUs are required for every biennial license renewal for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Athletic Trainers. The required CEUs shall be completed no later than January 31 of every odd-numbered year and every 2 years after such date. The required hours shall include 0.2 units of Ethics and proof of current CPR certification by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council or other agency approved by the Board and posted on the Division of Professional Regulation's website. Proof of current CPR certification will count for 0.1 CEU.

13.1.1 One CEU will be given for every 10 hours of an approved continuing education course. (1 contact hour = .1 CEU).

13.1.2 CEUs shall not be carried over from one biennial period to the next.

13.1.3 CEU requirements shall be prorated for new licensees. If the license is granted during the six month period shown below, the following will be required for renewal:

13.1.3.1 If an applicant is granted a license during the first six months of a license period, between the dates of February 1 of an odd-numbered year and July 31 of that year, the new licensee must complete 2.5 CEUs.

13.1.3.2 If an applicant is granted a license during the second six months of a license period, between the dates of August 1 of an odd-numbered year and January 31 of an even-numbered year, the licensee must complete 2.0 CEUs.

13.1.3.3 If an applicant is granted a license during the third period of six months during a license period, between the dates of February 1 of an even-numbered year and July 31 of an even-numbered year, the licensee must complete 1.5 CEUs.

13.1.3.4 If an applicant is granted a license during the last period of six months during a license period, between the dates of August 1 of an even-numbered year and January 31 of an odd-numbered year, the licensee must complete .5 CEUs.

13.2 Each course must include topics relevant to the field of health care as it pertains to Physical Therapy or Athletic Training. Approval of CEUs shall be within the discretion of the Board.

13.2.1 Continuing education units that have been previously approved during the current licensing period by another agency such as a national governing body, for example, APTA and BOC, or a fellow state licensing board shall be acceptable to the Examining Board for the State of Delaware as appropriate CEUs.

13.2.2 Any sponsors or licensees wishing to receive prior written approval of CEU courses from the Board must complete a CEU Application Form. CEU applications shall be reviewed and approved or denied by a designated Board member, and the designated Board member's decision shall be ratified by the Board. Board approval shall expire 3 years after the approval date. If the course is amended at any time during the 3 years, the sponsor or licensee shall submit a new Application Form.

13.2.3 Hardship. An applicant for license renewal may be granted an extension of time in which to complete CEU hours or a total or partial waiver of CEU 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.

13.2.4 CEUs may be earned through Board approved courses in colleges and universities, extension courses, independent study courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, lectures, videotapes, professional presentations and publications, and in-services oriented toward the enhancement of their respective professional practice. CEU programs shall be conducted under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. The program may include staff development activities of agencies and cross-disciplinary offerings.

13.2.5 The following are examples of acceptable continuing education which the Board may approve. The Board will determine the appropriate number of contact hours for these categories of continuing education, subject to any limitation shown below.

13.2.5.1 professional meetings including national, state, chapter, and state board meetings

13.2.5.2 seminars/workshops

13.2.5.3 staff/faculty in-services

13.2.5.4 first time presentation of professionally oriented course/lecture (0.3 CEU/hour per presentation)

13.2.5.5 approved self studies including online courses that demonstrate time requirements and are related to physical therapy or athletic training if there is a sponsoring agency and the sponsoring agency provides a certificate of completion.

13.2.6 The following are also examples of acceptable continuing education in the amount of CEUs shown.

13.2.6.1 university/college courses:

0.34 CEU for each 1 credit profession-related course per semester

0.27 CEU for each 1 credit profession-related course per trimester

0.24 CEU for each 1 credit profession-related course per quarter

13.2.6.2 passing of licensing examination (1.5 CEUs)

13.2.6.3 original publication in peer reviewed publication (0.3 CEU)

13.2.6.4 original publication in non-peer reviewed publication (0.1 CEU)

13.2.6.5 holding of an office (0.3 CEU), to include:

executive officer's position for the national or state professional associations (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) member, Examining Board of Physical Therapists

13.2.6.6 acting as the direct clinical instructor providing supervision to a Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant or Athletic Trainer student officially enrolled in an accredited institution during an internship (40 contact hours = 0.1 CEU)

13.2.6.7 acting as the direct clinical instructor providing supervision to an Athletic Training student officially enrolled in an accredited Athletic Training Education Program (40 contact hours = 0.1 CEU).

13.3 Proof of continuing education is satisfied with an attestation by the licensee that he or she has satisfied the requirements of Section 13.0.

13.3.1 Attestation shall be completed electronically.

13.3.2 Licensees selected for random audit will be required to supplement the attestation with attendance verification pursuant to subsection 13.4.

13.4 Random audits will be performed by the Board to ensure compliance with the CEU requirements.

13.4.1 The Board will notify licensees within sixty (60) days after January 31 that they have been selected for audit.

13.4.2 Licensees selected for random audit shall be required to submit verification within twenty (20) days of receipt of notification of selection for audit.

13.4.3 Verification shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

13.4.3.1 Proof of attendance. While course brochures may be used to verify contact hours, they are not considered to be acceptable proof for use of verification of course attendance;

13.4.3.2 Date of CEU course;

13.4.3.3 Instructor of CEU course;

13.4.3.4 Sponsor of CEU course;

13.4.3.5 Title of CEU course; and

13.4.3.6 Number of hours of CEU course.

13.4.4 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. § 2616(a)(7) and subsection 12.22 and the licensee may be subject to one or more of the disciplinary sanctions set forth in 24 Del.C. § 2616.

24 Del. Admin. Code § 2600-13.0

18 DE Reg. 469 (12/1/2014)
20 DE Reg. 913 (5/1/2017)
28 DE Reg. 395 (11/1/2024) (Final)