The rule eases the burden on licensees during the license renewal biennium ending November 2021 by temporarily waiving the in-person requirement for continuing education.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B17-9.001Continuing Education

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule eases the burden on licensees during the license renewal biennium ending November 2021 by temporarily waiving the in-person requirement for continuing education.

SUMMARY: The rule temporarily allows for all 24 hours of continuing education to be home study through the November 2021 biennial renewal, clarifies terminology, and updates the continuing education laws and rules application form for continuing education credit.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.013(6), 486.025, 486.109(5) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(6), 486.109 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3252, or by email at [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B17-9.001 Continuing Education.

(1) No change.

(2) A contact hour shall consist of fifty clock minutes. One half contact hour shall consist of twenty-five clock minutes. Ten contact hours, also referred to as CE Hours (CEH), constitute one continuing education unit (CEU). One continuing educational unit (CEU) shall be considered equivalent to ten (10) contact hours.

(3) No change.

(4) The Board will accept up to twelve contact hours for home study during a biennium. For the biennium ending November 2021 all 24 contact hours of continuing education may be obtained online or through home study.

(5) through (6)  No change.

(7) The Board recognizes approves for continuing education credit for the following:

(a) Courses sponsored by a program in physical therapy at a college or university which provides a curriculum for training physical therapists or physical therapist assistants, when approved by the physical therapy or physical therapist assistants program, which is accredited by, or has status with an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education. One credit hour of a college course is equivalent to 15 contact hours. One credit hour is the equivalent of one contact hour.

(b) through (e) No change.

(f) Licensees who file DOH form #DH-MQA 1144, “Final Order / Continuing Education Credit Florida Laws and Rules Application” “Application Materials For The Florida Laws and Rules Examination,” (revised 8/2020 5/15), incorporated herein by reference, which is available through www.floridasphysicaltherapy.gov/resources, or at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-________, and take and pass the Florida laws and rules examination shall receive two (2) hours of continuing education per biennium. The continuing education credit shall be awarded only for the biennium in which the examination was taken and passed. Continuing education credit shall not be awarded to licensees who take and pass the examination as a result of a disciplinary proceeding or as a board ordered condition of initial licensure or reinstatement.

(8) through (9) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013(6), 486.025, 486.109(5) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(6), 486.109 FS. History–New 4-6-92, Formerly 21MM-9.001, Amended 3-7-94, Formerly 61F11-9.001, Amended 12-5-95, Formerly 59Y-9.001, Amended 2-14-02, 4-21-02, 1-2-03, 6-28-04, 4-9-06, 5-28-06, 2-17-08, 5-21-09, 8-10-09, 6-30-10, 9-23-10, 12-24-13, 11-23-14, 9-20-15, 10-23-17, ___________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 28, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 8, 2020