§ 25.509a. Requirement of continuing education.

 (a)  Commencing with the biennial period January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008, and each subsequent biennial period, an applicant for biennial renewal or reactivation of certification is required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education as set forth in section 10.2(f)(2) of the act (63 P. S. §  271.10b(f)(2)) subject to the following:

   (1)  No more than 10 credit hours may be completed in nontraditional continuing education such as prerecorded presentations, Internet-based presentations and journal review programs. To qualify, the provider shall make available documented verification of completion of the course or program.

   (2)  One hour each must be completed in medical ethics and in patient safety.

 (b)  An individual applying for the first time for certification in this Commonwealth is exempt from the continuing education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial certification.

 (c)  The Board may waive all or a portion of the requirements of continuing education in cases of serious illness, undue hardship or military service. It shall be the duty of each certificateholder who seeks a waiver to notify the Board in writing and request the waiver prior to the end of the renewal period. The request must be made in writing, with appropriate documentation, and include a description of circumstances sufficient to show why the certificateholder is unable to comply with the continuing education requirement. The Board will grant, deny or grant in part the request for waiver and will send the certificateholder written notification of its approval or denial of the waiver request. A certificateholder who requests a waiver may not practice as a respiratory care practitioner after the expiration of the certificateholder’s current certificate until the Board grants the waiver request.

 (d)  A certificateholder shall maintain the information and documentation concerning compliance with the continuing education requirement or the waiver granted for a period of at least 2 years.

   The provisions of this §  25.509a issued under section 10.2(f) of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P. S. §  271.10b(f)).

   The provisions of this §  25.509a adopted November 24, 2006, effective November 25, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7137.

   This section cited in 49 Pa. Code §  25.509 (relating to renewal of certificate).