The Board proposes the rule amendment to meet required hours for Continuing Education Requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Respiratory Care

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
64B32-6.001: Continuing Education Requirement

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to meet required hours for Continuing Education Requirements.

SUMMARY: The rule amendment will update the revision number of hours to meet requirements.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost (SERC) was not necessary and that these rule amendments will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time. The Board has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business, or likely increase regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within 1 year after implementation of the rule.

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

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.013(7), 468.361(2) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 468.361 FS.

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

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Respiratory Care Therapy/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3255

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B32-6.001 Continuing Education Requirement.

(1) The Legislature and the Board have determined that competency in delivery of respiratory care services is enhanced by continuous updating of knowledge and skills. To this end, continuing education is required as a condition for renewal of licensure of all respiratory care personnel without regard to the avenue taken to licensure.

(2) Each licensee shall submit proof satisfactory to the Board of participation in appropriate continuing education. During each biennium, as established by the Department, each licensee must earn 24 contact hours of continuing education except as provided in Rule 64B32-6.001, F.A.C.

(3) Those persons initially licensed during the second year of a biennium who do not currently hold a respiratory care license are exempt from the continuing education requirements, except for the Medical Errors course and HIV/AIDS course pursuant to subsection (5) of this rule and Section 456.033, F.S., for their first renewal. Continuing education requirements must be met for each biennium thereafter.

(4) A licensee who also holds a current license as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or holds a current license in another health care profession may satisfy the continuing education requirement for issuance a renewal of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or renewal of the CRT this license with hours counted toward renewal of another license as long as the hours meet all the requirements of this rule chapter.

(5) Beginning with the biennium ending May 31, 2015, a licensee needs twenty-four (24) hours per biennium in order to renew the license, of which (2) credit hour(s) must include Florida laws and rules to bring the licensee up to date on laws and rules of the Board and the regulatory agency under which the Board operates.

The hours can be obtained in the following manner:

(a) Florida laws and rules.

(b)(a) Direct Delivery of Respiratory Care Services	2 credit hour(s) Mandatory for all licensees: A minimum of 16 hours each biennium must be obtained by each licensee in the approved offerings pursuant to subsection 64B32-6.004(3), F.A.C.
1. Medical Errors	Mandatory part of Direct Delivery Services Requirements for all licensees: 2 hours in a board-approved continuing education course pursuant to Rule 64B32-6.006, F.A.C.
2. HIV/AIDS                   3. Emergency Preparedness	Mandatory part of Direct Delivery Services Requirements for the initial renewal of all licensees, Optional for subsequent renewals: At least 3 hours but no more than 5 hours pursuant to Rule 64B32-6.006, F.A.C. The course must be taken within the last five (5) years prior to either initial licensure or first renewal. Mandatory part of Direct Delivery Services Requirements for all licensees 2 hour course offered by a board approved CE provider.
(b) Non-Direct Respiratory Patient Care (i.e. management, risk management, personal growth, and educational techniques)	No more than 8 hours in this area will be acceptable for the purpose of biennial renewal of a license pursuant to subsection 64B32-6.004(3), F.A.C.
(c) Home Study Courses	Limitation applicable to all licensees: No more than 12 hours per biennium pursuant to subsection 64B32-6.004(3), F.A.C.

 

(d) Other requirements that satisfy continuing education are listed in Rule 64B32-6.004, F.A.C.

(6) A licensee needs twenty-four (24) hours of Continuing Education each biennium in order to renew a Respiratory Care License. None of these hours can be obtained by taking Basic Life Support (BLS) training.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013(7), 468.361(2) FS. Law Implemented 468.361 FS. History–New 4-29-85, Formerly 21M-38.01, Amended 9-29-86, Formerly 21M-38.001, Amended 1-2-94, Formerly 61F6-38.001, Amended 11-1-94, Formerly 59R-75.001, Amended 6-9-99, Formerly 64B8-75.001, Amended 5-15-05, 10-28-07, 5-15-08, 8-4-09, 4-25-10,________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Respiratory Care Therapy

NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Respiratory Care Therapy

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 28, 2011

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: September 30, 2011