DIVISION 720
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST LICENSING BOARD
CONTINUING EDUCATION
331-720-0000
Continued Competency
(1) To ensure continuing efforts on the part of Oregon licensed respiratory care practitioners to remain current with new developments in the respiratory therapy and health care field and to encourage diversified training and qualifications in the profession continuing education is required as a condition of licensure.
(2) Continuing Education requirements apply whether the renewal applicant is living or working within Oregon or outside of the state so long as Oregon licensure is maintained.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 688.830
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615,
688.830
Hist.: HDLB 1-1997(Temp), f. 12-19-97, cert. ef. 12-22-97 thru
6-19-98; HDLP 2-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-98; HLO 4-2004, f.
6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
331-720-0010
Continuing Education Requirements
(1) Each respiratory care practitioner is required to complete 15 hours of Board approved continuing education every two years, whether the license is active or inactive. At least two-thirds of the required continuing education hours shall be related to clinical practice of respiratory care.
(2) To renew the license, evidence of required continuing education shall be provided at the time of renewal by means of a prescribed self-attestation statement certifying participation in approved continuing education. To ensure that adequate proof of attainment of required continuing education is available for audit or investigation by the Health Licensing Office, licensees shall maintain a record of attendance for two years following the two-year continuing education cycle and renewal of the respiratory care therapist license.
(3) Continuing education is acceptable if provided by:
(a) A medical organization or association accredited by the Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association Continuing Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and its affiliates, to provide continuing education to physicians, nurses, or respiratory care practitioners;
(b) A hospital not accredited to provide continuing education but the continuing education provided meets the following requirements:
(A) The content of the course or program shall be relevant to the scope of practice of respiratory care as defined in ORS 688.800(4);
(B) The faculty shall be knowledgeable in the subject matter as evidenced by a degree from an accredited college or university and verifiable experience in the subject matter or teaching and clinical experience in the same or similar subject matter;
(C) Educational objectives shall be listed;
(D) The teaching methods shall be described, e.g., lecture, seminar, audiovisual, simulation;
(E) Evaluation methods shall document that the objectives have been met.
(c) An institution of higher education accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools or its successor, or the State Board of Higher Education, providing the course(s) meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection. Five hours of continuing education credit per course, and up to two-thirds of the continuing education requirement, can be obtained by successfully completing the course(s) with a grade "C" or above, or a "pass" for a pass/fail course;
(d) A respiratory care educational program accredited by the American Medical Association Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation in collaboration with the Committee On Accreditation for Respiratory Care, or its successor, or the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs offering an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care;
(e) The NBRC through passing the examination for initial certification as an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), or Perinatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (PPRCS), or the NBRC through passing the re-credentialing examination for a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), RRT, or PPRCS. Fifteen hours of continuing education can be obtained by passing these certification and re-credentialing examinations;
(f) The NBRC through passing the examination for initial certification as a Certified Pulmonary Function Technician (CPFT), or Registered Pulmonary function Technician (RFPT). Seven and one-half hours of continuing education can be obtained by passing these certification examinations;
(g) Publication in a peer reviewed journal as the author or co-author of a clinical paper or abstract. A total of five credit hours will be accepted per biennium for the publication of articles or abstracts in professional journals;
(h) An established and approved organization conducting humanitarian activities in another state or country, that is providing respiratory care services as defined in ORS 688.800(6) under its auspices. The organization and services are subject to board approval on a case-by-case basis for continuing education credit.
(4) To ensure adequate proof of continuing education course completion is available for audit or investigation by the Health Licensing Office, practitioners shall maintain a record of attendance for two years following renewal;
(5) Respiratory care practitioners who instruct continuing education courses may obtain the same number of continuing education hours for each initial course taught during the biennium, in which the course is initially presented, as granted to course participants.
(6) Practitioners shall be awarded continuing education credit once for completion of the initial certification course for Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Up to four hours of continuing education credit may be obtained for each re-certification in ACLS, PALS, or NRP courses.
(7) Continuing education credit will not be granted for completion of the Basic Life Support (BLS) course.
(8) A person who does not meet continuing education requirements must reapply and meet requirements for licensure according to OAR 331-710-0010 at the time of application.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615 & 688.830
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615 & 688.830
Hist.: HDLB 1-1997(Temp), f. 12-19-97, cert. ef. 12-22-97 thru
6-19-98; HDLP 2-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-98; HLO 4-2004, f.
6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04; HLO 10-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
11-8-04 thru 3-31-05; HLO 1-2005, f. 2-28-05 cert. ef. 3-1-05
331-720-0020
Continuing Education: Audit, Required Documentation and Sanctions
(1) The Health Licensing Office will audit a select percentage of licenses determined by the Board to verify compliance with continuing education requirements.
(2) Licensees notified of selection for audit of continuing education attestation shall submit to the agency, within 30 calendar days from the date of issuance of the notification, satisfactory evidence of participation in required continuing education in accordance with OAR 331-720-0010.
(3) Documentation of attendance at a program or course provided by the sponsor must include:
(a) Name of sponsoring institution/association or organization;
(b) Title of presentation and description of content;
(c) Name of instructor or presenter;
(d) Date of attendance and duration in hours;
(e) Course agenda;
(f) Official transcript, diploma, statement or affidavit from the sponsor, attesting to attendance.
(4) If documentation of continuing education is invalid or incomplete, the licensee must correct the deficiency within 30 calendar days from the date of notice. Failure to correct the deficiency within the prescribed time shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
(5) Misrepresentation of continuing education, or failing to meet continuing education requirements or documentation, may result in disciplinary action, which may include, but is not limited to, assessment of a civil penalty and suspension or revocation of the license.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 688.830
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 688.830
Hist.: HDLB 1-1997(Temp), f. 12-19-97, cert. ef. 12-22-97 thru
6-19-98; HDLP 2-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-98; HLO 4-2004, f.
6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
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