Subchapter G. CONTINUING EDUCATION

 (a)  Each speech-language pathologist, audiologist or teacher of the hearing impaired shall have completed 20 clock hours of continuing education during each preceding biennial renewal period, beginning with the renewal period commencing August 1, 2008.

 (b)  Up to 10 clock hours of approved continuing education credit per biennial renewal period may be granted on a case-by-case basis for services as a lecturer or speaker, and for publication of articles, books and research relating to the practice of speech-language pathology, audiology or teaching of the hearing impaired. A licensee seeking continuing education credit under this subsection shall submit a written request with a copy of the lecture, presentation, article, book or research. The request shall be submitted 180 days prior to the expiration of the biennial renewal period for which the licensee is seeking credit.

 (a)  An individual applying for initial licensure shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement for biennial renewal in the period following that in which the license is granted.

 (b)  The Board may waive all or part of the continuing education requirement for a biennial renewal period upon request of a licensee. The request must be made in writing, with supporting documentation, and include a description of circumstances sufficient to show why compliance is impossible. Waiver requests will be evaluated by the Board on a case-by-case basis. Waivers may be granted for serious illness, military service or other demonstrated hardship. The Board will send written notification of its approval or denial of a waiver request.

 (a)  Applicants at the time of license renewal shall provide, on forms provided by the Board, a signed statement certifying that the continuing education requirement has been met and information to support the certification which includes the following:

   (1)  Dates attended.

   (2)  Continuing education hours claimed.

   (3)  Title of course and description of content.

   (4)  Location of course.

 (b)  The Board will utilize a random audit of renewals to determine compliance with the continuing education requirement. Applicants selected for audit shall provide the Board the certified continuing education record, as described in §  45.506(b) (relating to provider responsibilities), for each continuing education program completed to prove compliance with the continuing education requirement.

 (a)  Credit for continuing education may be obtained for any program approved in advance by the Board. Preapproval is contingent upon compliance with §  45.506 (relating to provider responsibilities).

 (b)  Any person or entity, including an agency, organization, institution, college, university, professional society, association or center, seeking approval of continuing education programs shall:

   (1)  Apply for approval of the program on forms provided by the Board.

   (2)  File the application at least 90 days prior to the first scheduled date of the program.

 (c)  An application must contain:

   (1)  The full name and address of the provider.

   (2)  The title of the program.

   (3)  Faculty names and credentials, and, if requested by the Board, curriculum vitae.

   (4)  A schedule of the program, including the title and description of each subject, the name of the lecturers and the time allotted.

   (5)  The total number of clock hours of credit to be awarded.

   (6)  A method of certifying participation.

   (7)  The program coordinator who is responsible for certifying participation and compiling an official list of Pennsylvania licensees in attendance at the continuing education program.

   (8)  A fee as required by §  45.1 (relating to fees).

 (d)  The following programs are deemed approved for continuing education credit:

   (1)  Continuing education programs approved or sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

   (2)  Continuing education programs approved or sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology.

   (3)  Courses and programs offered by academic programs in speech-language pathology, audiology or teaching of the hearing impaired associated with institutions accredited by any state’s department of education or a regional commission on institutions of higher education.

 (e)  The Board may deny approval of a program of continuing education based on the following grounds:

   (1)  The provider failed to comply with §  45.506 for other programs.

   (2)  The provider made one or more false or misleading material statements on the application.

   (3)  The identified faculty is deemed not qualified to present the program.

   (4)  The course content is in office management or practice building.

   (5)  The method of certifying participation is not verifiable.

 (f)  The Board may revoke the approval of a provider on the following grounds:

   (1)  Failure of the provider to comply with §  45.506.

 (a)  For each program, the provider shall:

   (1)  Disclose to prospective participants in advance the objectives, content, teaching method and number of hours of continuing education credit.

   (2)  Open each course to licensees.

   (3)  Provide adequate facilities for the number of anticipated participants and the teaching methods to be used.

   (4)  Provide appropriate instructional materials.

   (5)  Utilize a verifiable method of certifying participation.

   (6)  Employ qualified instructors who are knowledgeable in the subject matter.

   (7)  Evaluate the program through the use of questionnaires of the participants.

   (8)  Issue a certified continuing education record to each participant.

   (9)  Retain participation records, written outlines and a summary of evaluations for 5 years.

   (10)  Provide the Board, upon request, verification of licensee’s participation in a continuing education program, including the date of approval of the program.

 (b)  Each continuing education record must include at a minimum:

   (1)  The name of the participant.

   (2)  The dates of participation in the program.

   (3)  The name of the program.

   (4)  The provider’s name.

   (5)  The number of clock hours of continuing education credit.

   (6)  The course approval number or an indication of the provider’s status as a preapproved provider.

 (a)  A licensed speech-language pathologist, audiologist or teacher of the hearing impaired who submits fraudulent continuing education records may be subject to discipline under section 10 of the act (63 P. S. §  1710).

 (b)  A licensed speech-language pathologist, audiologist or teacher of the hearing impaired who fails to complete the required continuing education requirement within any biennial renewal period may be subject to discipline unless the licensee is exempt or has been granted a waiver under §  45.502 (relating to exemption and waiver).