SECTION 435:45-5-1. Continuing education.

(a)   The purpose of continuing education is to aid in maintaining competency in the advancing art and science of respiratory care. Continuing education is a variety of forms of learning experiences including, but not limited to, lectures, conferences, academic studies, in-services education, institutes, seminars, home study, Internet courses, and workshops taken by Respiratory Care Practitioners for licensure renewal. These learning experiences are meant to enhance the knowledge of the Respiratory Care Practitioner in direct and indirect patient care. Continuing education does not include basic education or training needed to become a licensed RCP.

(b)   All program objectives, curricular content, presenter qualifications, and outcomes shall be subject to review. Contact hours will be determined based on program content, outcomes, and participant involvement.

(c)   Respiratory Care Practitioner licenses shall be renewed every two years on or before the last day of the month in which initial licensure was granted.

(d)   Regardless of the source, continuing education hours must be in clinical respiratory care or related areas of health care. The Board may consult with the Committee to resolve questions as to appropriate continuing education hours. The Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision shall be the final authority on acceptance of any educational activity requirements submitted by a licensee to meet the continuing education requirements.

(e)   Licensees shall be responsible for submitting documentation of their continuing education unit activities to the Board upon request.

(f)   Respiratory Care Practitioners must accrue twelve (12) CRCE (Continuing Respiratory Care Education) credits in each successive two year period (biennium) to maintain a license to practice in the state of Oklahoma. At least half of the required Continuing Respiratory Care Education hours must be directly related to clinical practice. Unless otherwise specified, one clock hour of direct instruction/training class time is equivalent to one continuing education unit.

(g)   The Board shall accept American Medical Association (AMA) and America Osteopathic Association (AOA) credits. Other acceptable continuing education credits include all programs approved by, or where applicable the affiliates of, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC); the American Thoracic Society (ATS); the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP); the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA); the American Lung Association (ALA); the American College of Cardiology (ACC); the American Heart Association (AHA); the American Nursing Association (ANA), American Red Cross and the American Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

(h)   Other agencies and professional organizations may be considered and approved for eligible continuing education credits upon review by the Chairman of the Committee with final approval by the Secretary of the Board. Those wishing to sponsor a program/meeting/class and receive approval for awarding CRCE credits must contact the Board and receive approval in advance. To apply toward satisfaction of the continuing education requirements, the following shall be submitted:

(1)   The request shall be submitted in writing to the Board office at least thirty (30) days prior to the program. The Board shall give written notification of the approval or disapproval of the educational program or seminar.

(2)   A request to be an eligible continuing education seminar or course shall include:

(A)   Name of the seminar or course;

(B)   Sponsoring party;

(C)   Objective of the seminar or format and subjects of seminar or course;

(D)   Number of hours resulting in CRCEs;

(E)   Method for certification of attendance;

(F)   Name and qualifications of the faculty; and

(G)   Evaluation mechanism.

(i)   RCPs who submit proof of successful completion of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) entry or the advanced practitioner credentialing examination or recredentialing examination may be granted continuing education credit as awarded by the American Association for Respiratory Care.

(j)   Credits may be awarded for completion of continuing education processes in accordance with the following guidelines:

(1)   Direct conference/lecture/classroom attendance - 1.0 CRCE per hour.

(2)   Teleconference (audio only) - 0.5 CRCE per hour.

(3)   Teleconference (audio with handouts or slides) - 1.0 CRCE per hour.

(4)   Videoconference (live video) - 1.0 CRCE per hour.

(5)   Video tape instruction/programs - 0.2 CRCE per hour.

(6)   Correspondence journal/workbooks with test - 0.2 CRCE per subject.

(7)   Interactive video instruction (computer) with test - 1.0 CRCE per subject.

(8)   NBRC recredentialing examination (passing) - 6.0 CRCE per biennium.

(9)   Resuscitation and life support courses - limit one of the following courses per compliance period:

(A)   Advanced Cardiac Life Support - 6 CRCE;

(B)   Neonatal Resuscitation Program - 6 CRCE;

(C)   Pediatric Advanced Life Support - 6 CRCE;

(D)   Advanced Trauma Life Support - 6 CRCE;

(E)   Basic Life Support - 6 for initial certification; 3 for recertification.

(k)   Audit/Verification. The Board staff will, each year, randomly or for cause select licensees to be audited for verification that continuing education requirements have been met.

(l)   Compliance.

(1)   Licensees selected for audit must submit verification of meeting the continuing education requirement.

(2)   Failure to submit such records shall constitute an incomplete application and shall result in the application being returned to the licensee and the licensee being unable to practice.

(3)   A license obtained through misrepresentation shall result in Board action.

[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 1021, eff 11-21-95 (emergency); Added at 13 Ok Reg 2695, eff 6-27-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 274, eff 10-1-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3954, eff 7-9-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1234, eff 5-14-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 1321, eff 5-11-01; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 822, eff 3-16-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1107, eff 5-11-07; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 2687, eff 8-26-10]