64B1-7.0015. Continuing Education Requirement

(1) As a condition of the biennial renewal of a license, each licensee shall complete a minimum of 30 credit hours per biennium of continuing education that meets the requirements of Section 457.107, F.S. and Rule 64B1-6.005, F.A.C., which shall include:

(a) At least five hours of continuing education credit in Biomedical Sciences as set forth in Rule 64B1-6.005, F.A.C.;

(b) Three hours of continuing education credit on HIV/AIDS that meets the requirements of Section 456.033(2), F.S., and subsection 64B1-6.005(5), F.A.C. (initial renewal only);

(c) Two hours of continuing education credit on prevention of medical errors that meets the requirements of Section 456.013(7), F.S.; and,

(d) Two hours of continuing education credit on Chapters 456 and 457, F.S. and the rules promulgated by this board (laws and rules).

(2) Alternate methods of obtaining continuing education credit.

(a) Attendance at Board meeting: Each licensee, who is not being disciplined, may satisfy the two required laws and rules credits by attending a complete board meeting at which another licensee is disciplined:

(b) Expert evaluation: Each licensee may satisfy the two required laws and rule credits by providing an expert opinion, without compensation, in a standard of care disciplinary case.

(c) Probable Cause: Each board member or former board member may satisfy the two required laws and rule credits by serving as a member of the probable cause panel.

(d) Teaching: Those persons who teach at programs approved for continuing education credit may claim 3 hours of continuing education credit for each hour of lecture, not to exceed nine hours of continuing education credit per biennium. No continuing education credit shall be granted to a school faculty member merely as credit for his regular teaching assignments.

(e) Pro Bono Services: 

1.Up to 7 hours, per biennium, of continuing education credit may be fulfilled by the performance of pro bono services to the indigent or to underserved populations or in areas of critical need within the state where the licensee practices.

2. For credit for pro-bono services a licensee must apply for prior approval in order to receive credit. In the request for approval, licensees shall disclose the type, nature and extent of services to be rendered, the facility where the services will be rendered, the number of patients expected to be served, and a statement indicating that the patients to be served are indigent.

3. Service must be provided on a pro bono basis through an organization offering humanitarian missions to:

a. Domestic and/or international victims in an emergency situation or disaster area;

b. Low income population (no greater than 150% of the federal poverty level), as based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines as published in Vol. 87 Fed. Reg. 3316-16 (Jan. 21, 2022), incorporated by reference, a copy of which may be obtained from http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14752; or

c. United States military personnel.

4. Unless otherwise provided through Board order, no licensee who is subject to a disciplinary action that requires additional continuing education as a penalty, shall be permitted to use pro bono medical services as a method of meeting the additional continuing education requirements.

(3) For the first renewal period after initial licensure, the licensee is exempt from the continuing education requirements of Rule 64B1-7.0015, F.A.C., except for the continuing education hours mandated for medical errors and the 3-hour HIV/AIDS course.

(4) Credit hours are not retroactive or cumulative. All credit hours must be earned within the biennium for which they are claimed.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 457.104, 457.107, 457.108 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.033, 457.107, 457.108 FS. History–New 3-18-97, Formerly 59M-7.0015, Amended 4-25-00, 4-3-01, 11-24-02, 5-18-04, 5-30-07, 5-11-09, 5-1-13, 10-4-22.