The Board proposes a rule amendment intended to update the language for continuing education requirements for license renewal of an active license.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Occupational Therapy

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B11-5.001Requirements for License Renewal of an Active License; Continuing Education

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes a rule amendment intended to update the language for continuing education requirements for license renewal of an active license.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule updates the language for continuing education requirements.

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, 468.204, 468.219 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013, 456.033, 456.036, 468.219 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 Occupational Therapy/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253, telephone: [phone], or by electronic mail: [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B11-5.001 Requirements for License Renewal of an Active License; Continuing Education.

Continuing education includes attendance and participation as required at approved live or interactive presentations such as workshop, seminar, conference, webinar, or in-service educational programs. It may also include participation in other approved professional activities, such as pro bono and expert witness services, or those that require a formal assessment of learning, such as formalized self-study courses and other non-interactive learning programs. An active license shall be renewed upon demonstration that the licensee has paid the renewal fee set forth in Rule 64B11-2.008, F.A.C., and has complied with the following requirements:

(1) through (10) No Change.

(11) Fieldwork or Doctoral Capstone Experience – A licensee may earn up to twelve (12)six (6) continuing education hours per biennium for supervision of a Level II Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant fieldwork students, or entry level doctoral capstone students, at the rate of no more than six (6)three (3) hours per student. Continuing education credit may be earned at 0.5 continuing education hours per week of student supervision.  To be eligible for the credit, the licensee must participate as the primary clinical fieldwork supervisoreducator or site mentor for the student for at least one full week.  No more that two (2) licensees may supervise a student for continuing education hours for each of the experiences. Documentation shall include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork supervisoreducator or site mentor with the name of the student, school, and dates of fieldwork or doctoral capstone experience or the signature page of the completed student evaluation form. Evaluation scores and comments shall be deleted or blocked out. The doctoral capstone is an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.

(12) through (15) No Change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 468.204, 468.219 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.033, 456.036, 468.219 FS. History–New 4-17-95, Amended 10-30-95, 3-11-96, Formerly 59R-64.060, Amended 9-23-99, 10-18-01, 6-25-02, 5-7-03, 3-28-04, 10-24-04, 8-30-06, 10-15-06, 6-6-07, 7-27-08, 7-27-14, 11-10-15, 4-24-17, 8-31-20, 7-12-22,_____________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Occupational Therapy

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 26, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 2, 2023