64B20-6.002. Standards for Approval of Continuing Education Activities and Providers

(1) Any institution, organization, agency or individual may apply to the Board for approval to provide a continuing education activity by making application at least sixty (60) days prior to the course offering on form CEA-3, effective 3-28-95, entitled Institution, Organization or Agency or Individual Application for Prior Approval of a Continuing Education Activity, which is incorporated by reference herein, and payment of a fee as specified in rule 64B20-3.017, F.A.C. Form CEA-3 may be obtained from the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C-06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256. If the Board grants approval of a continuing education activity, then the Board office shall issue the applicant an approved program number that shall be valid for the biennium which coincides with the biennial licensure cycle. This number shall appear on all continuing education course announcements and certificates of course completion. Upon receipt of a complete application and payment of the application fee, the Board shall approve a continuing education activity which meets the following criteria:

(a) Is directly relevant to and focuses on the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology;

(b) Reflects the educational needs of the licensee or certified assistant and builds on the standards for practice and courses in the curricula of an institution of higher learning as described in subsection 64B20-2.002(1), F.A.C.;

(c) Has stated, measurable learning objectives;

(d) Program faculty is competent in the subject matter and qualified by experience;

(e) Includes an evaluation mechanism which assesses the participant’s achievement of objectives, the effectiveness of the learning experience, instructional methods, facilities and resources used for the offering;

(f) Has a stated, pre-determined number of contact hours; and,

(g) Provides a certificate of attendance to each participant at the conclusion of the activity which specifies title, program number, date, and number of continuing education hours earned.

(h) For the purposes of these rules one continuing education hour is defined as a 60-minute clock hour. The minimum course credit acceptable for consideration is 0.5 continuing education hour or 30 minute clock hour.

(2) Any institution, organization, agency or individual may apply to the Board for approved provider status by making application on Form CEA-1, effective 3-28-95, entitled Application for Provider for Continuing Education Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, and may be obtained from the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C-06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256, and payment of a fee as specified in rule 64B20-3.013, F.A.C. Such application fee shall be required for each licensure biennium for which the provider seeks Board approved provider status. Upon receipt of said application and payment of said fee the Board shall approve for the biennium which coincides with the licensee and certified assistant biennial licensure cycle and issue a provider number to a provider that meets the following criteria:

(a) All continuing education activities conducted by the provider shall meet the standards for continuing education activities as outlined in these rules; and,

(b) There shall be a visible, continuous, and identifiable authority charged with administration and on-site monitoring of continuing education programs.

(3) Any licensee or certified assistant may apply for prior approval of a continuing education activity by making application at least 30 days prior to the activity on Form CEA-2, Licensee/Certified Assistant Application for Prior Approval of Continuing Education Activity, which is incorporated by reference herein, effective 3-28-95, and can be obtained from the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C-06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256, and payment of a fee as specified in rule 64B20-3.016, F.A.C. Upon receipt of said application and payment of said fee, the Board shall approve a continuing education activity which meets the standards for continuing education offerings as outlined in these rules.

(4) All programs approved by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and American Academy of Audiology for continuing education credit for speech-language pathologists or audiologists or assistants that meet the requirements of this rule shall be deemed approved by this Board for continuing education for licensees and certified assistants.

(5) For purposes of this chapter, “clinically related” is defined as providing the licensee with information, techniques, procedures, or protocols that can be applied in the direct assessment, treatment, diagnosis, or counseling of patients.

(6) For the purposes of this chapter, licensee/assistant-directed continuing education activities are home study, correspondence, computer interactive, audio and audio/visual courses. Upon receipt of the appropriate application as defined in subsections 64B20-6.002(1) and (3), F.A.C., and payment of the appropriate fees as defined in rules 64B20-3.016-.017, F.A.C., the Board shall approve a licensee/assistant-directed continuing education activity which meets the standards for continuing education activities as outlined in these rules and furthermore:

(a) Includes a testing mechanism that determines the competency of the licensee/assistant in the subject, on which a passing score must be attained prior to issuing of credit; and,

(b) Awards credit based upon a realistic appraisal of the amount of time required for participants to successfully complete the activity.

(7) Records shall be maintained by the provider for a minimum of three (3) years for inspection by the Board to monitor adherence to the standards for continuing education activities as outlined in these rules.

(8) The Board shall audit records of randomly selected continuing education providers to ensure compliance with the standards adopted in rule 64B20-6.002, F.A.C. Within 21 days of the receipt of such request from the Board or Department, the continuing education provider shall provide evidence of continuing education activities provided and requested on Form DH MQA 4000, Audit of Continuing Education Provider Number ____, which is incorporated herein by reference, effective April 4, 2006, and can be obtained from the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, #C-06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256. Failure to maintain and submit upon request documentation of the required information or documentation shall result in the continuing education provider status being revoked for a period of one biennium.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 468.1135(4), 468.1195(3) FS. Law Implemented 468.1195 FS. History–New 3-14-91, Formerly 21LL-6.002, Amended 9-20-93, Formerly 61F14-6.002, Amended 3-28-95, 10-1-95, Formerly 59BB-6.002, Amended 1-6-00, 9-21-05, 4-4-06, 5-1-07, 4-29-19.