Subchapter G. CONTINUING EDUCATION
Sec.
45.501. Credit hour requirements.
45.502. Exemption and waiver.
45.503. Continuing education requirement for reactivation of inactive and lapsed licenses.
45.504. Reporting completion of continuing education.
45.505. Approval of continuing education programs.
45.506. Provider responsibilities.
45.507. Disciplinary action authorized.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter G issued and amended under section 5(2) and (7) of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1705(2) and (7)), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter G adopted April 7, 2006, effective April 8, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 1648, unless otherwise noted.
§ 45.501. Credit hour requirements.
(a) Each speech-language pathologist or audiologist shall have completed 20 clock hours of continuing education per license during each preceding biennial period, including at least 2 hours of approved courses in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 45.408(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement). Excess clock hours may not be carried over to the next biennium.
(b) Up to 10 clock hours of approved continuing education credit per biennial renewal period may be granted on a case-by-case basis for services as a lecturer or speaker, and for publication of articles, books and research relating to the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology. A licensee seeking continuing education credit under this subsection shall submit a written request with a copy of the lecture, presentation, article, book or research and a fee for continuing education approval as required under § 45.1 (relating to fees). The request shall be submitted 180 days prior to the expiration of the biennial renewal period for which the licensee is seeking credit. An instructor of a program approved under § 45.505 (relating to approval of continuing education programs) will receive credit to the same extent that an attendee will receive credit and is not required to apply for approval under this subsection.
(c) Unless granted a waiver under § 45.502 (relating to exemption and waiver), the Board will not renew or reactivate any speech-language pathologist or audiologist license until the continuing education requirement for the current biennial renewal period has been completed.
(d) A licensee may not receive credit for participation in substantially the same program more than once during a single renewal cycle.
Authority The provisions of this § 45.501 amended under sections 5(2) and (7), 7(d)(1), 8(a) and 8.1 of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § § 1705(2) and (7), 1707(d)(1), 1708(a) and 1708.1); section 810(a)(3) and (7) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 279.1(a)(3) and (7)); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 45.501 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555; amended July 14, 2017, effective July 15, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 3814; amended January 26, 2024, effective January 27, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 375. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (387759) to (387760).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 43b.16a (relating to schedule of civil penalties—audiologists and speech-language pathologists); 49 Pa. Code § 45.13 (relating to renewal of license; inactive status of license; required continuing education); 49 Pa. Code § 45.14 (relating to reactivation of licensure status); and 49 Pa. Code § 45.503 (relating to continuing education requirement for reactivation of inactive and lapsed licenses).
§ 45.502. Exemption and waiver.
(a) With the exception of the 2 hours of mandatory training in child abuse recognition and reporting required under § 45.408(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement), a licensee is not required to complete continuing education during the biennial period in which the licensee was first licensed to renew for the next biennium.
(b) The Board may waive all or part of the continuing education requirement for a biennial renewal period upon request of a licensee. The request must be made in writing, with supporting documentation, and include a statement of how much continuing education the licensee has completed and a description of circumstances sufficient to show why compliance is impossible. Except for good cause shown, a licensee seeking a waiver shall submit the request to the Board at least 60 days before the current expiration date of the license for the Board to evaluate the request prior to expiration of the license. Waiver requests will be evaluated by the Board on a case-by-case basis. Waivers may be granted for serious illness, military service or other demonstrated hardship. A waiver request seeking an extension of time to complete required continuing education shall include the licensee’s plan to complete the required continuing education. The Board will send written notification of its approval or denial of a waiver request.
Authority The provisions of this § 45.502 amended under section 5(2) of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1705(2)); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 45.502 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555; amended January 26, 2024, effective January 27, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 375. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (387760) to (387761).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 45.501 (relating to credit hour requirements); and 49 Pa. Code § 45.507 (relating to disciplinary action authorized).
§ 45.503. Continuing education requirement for reactivation of inactive and lapsed licenses.
A licensee seeking to reactivate an inactive or lapsed license shall show proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement for the preceding biennial period, including at least 2 hours of approved courses in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 45.408(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement). Only continuing education obtained during the 24-month period immediately preceding application for reactivation may be used to justify reactivation. This continuing education is in addition to continuing education required to subsequently renew the license under § 45.501(c) (relating to credit hour requirements).
Authority The provisions of this § 45.503 amended under section 5(2) of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1705(2)); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 45.503 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555; amended January 26, 2024, effective January 27, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 375. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (387761).
§ 45.504. Reporting completion of continuing education.
(a) Licensees applying for biennial license renewal shall provide, on forms provided by the Board, a signed statement certifying that the continuing education requirement has been met and information to support the certification which includes the following:
(1) Dates attended.
(2) Continuing education hours claimed.
(3) Title of course and description of content.
(4) Location of course.
(b) The Board will utilize a random audit of renewals to determine compliance with the continuing education requirement. Applicants selected for audit shall provide the Board the certified continuing education record, as described in § 45.506(b) (relating to provider responsibilities), for each continuing education program completed to prove compliance with the continuing education requirement.
(c) Individuals shall retain the certified continuing education records for courses completed for a minimum of 4 years.
(d) Instead of the continuing education record required under subsection (b), a licensee who successfully completed a program preapproved under § 45.505(d)(3) (relating to approval of continuing education programs) may document completion by means of an official transcript of the institution.
Source The provisions of this § 45.504 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (318323) to (318324).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 45.13 (relating to renewal of license; inactive status of license; required continuing education).
§ 45.505. Approval of continuing education programs.
(a) Credit for continuing education may be obtained for any program approved in advance by the Board. Preapproval is contingent upon compliance with § 45.506 (relating to provider responsibilities).
(b) Any person or entity, including an agency, organization, institution, college, university, professional society, association or center, seeking approval of continuing education programs shall:
(1) Apply for approval of the program on forms provided by the Board.
(2) File the application at least 90 days prior to the first scheduled date of the program.
(c) An application must contain:
(1) The full name and address of the provider.
(2) The title of the program.
(3) Faculty names and credentials, and, if requested by the Board, curriculum vitae.
(4) A schedule of the program, including the title and description of each subject, the course content, the name and brief synopsis of qualifications of the lecturers and the time allotted.
(5) The total number of clock hours of credit to be awarded.
(6) A method of certifying participation.
(7) The program coordinator who is responsible for certifying participation and compiling an official list of Pennsylvania licensees in attendance at the continuing education program.
(8) A fee as required by § 45.1 (relating to fees).
(d) The following programs are deemed approved for continuing education credit:
(1) Continuing education programs approved or sponsored by the ASHA.
(2) Continuing education programs approved or sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology.
(3) Courses and programs offered for credit by academic programs in speech-language pathology or audiology associated with institutions accredited by any state’s department of education or a regional commission on institutions of higher education.
(e) The Board may deny approval of a program of continuing education based on the following grounds:
(1) The provider failed to comply with § 45.506 for other programs.
(2) The provider made one or more false or misleading material statements on the application.
(3) The identified faculty is deemed not qualified to present the program.
(4) The course content is in office management or practice building.
(5) The method of certifying participation is not verifiable.
(f) The Board may revoke the approval of a provider on the following grounds:
(1) Failure of the provider to comply with § 45.506.
(2) Falsification of a continuing education record by a program provider.
Authority The provisions of this § 45.505 amended under sections 5(2) and (7), 7(d)(1), 8(a) and 8.1 of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § § 1705(2) and (7), 1707(d)(1), 1708(a) and 1708.1); and section 810(a)(3) and (7) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 279.1(a)(3) and (7)).
Source The provisions of this § 45.505 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555; amended July 14, 2017, effective July 15, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 3814. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (375035) to (375036).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 45.501 (relating to credit hour requirements); and 49 Pa. Code § 45.504 (relating to reporting completion of continuing education).
§ 45.506. Provider responsibilities.
(a) For each program, the provider shall:
(1) Disclose to prospective participants in advance the objectives, content, teaching method and number of hours of continuing education credit.
(2) Open each course to licensees.
(3) Provide adequate facilities for the number of anticipated participants and the teaching methods to be used.
(4) Provide appropriate instructional materials.
(5) Utilize a verifiable method of certifying participation.
(6) Employ qualified instructors who are knowledgeable in the subject matter.
(7) Evaluate the program through the use of questionnaires of the participants.
(8) Issue a certified continuing education record to each participant.
(9) Retain participation records, written outlines and a summary of evaluations for 5 years.
(10) Provide the Board, upon request, verification of licensee’s participation in a continuing education program, including the date of approval of the program.
(b) Each continuing education record must include at a minimum:
(1) The name of the participant.
(2) The dates of participation in the program.
(3) The name of the program.
(4) The provider’s name.
(5) The number of clock hours of continuing education credit.
(6) The course approval number or an indication of the provider’s status as a preapproved provider.
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 45.2 (relating to definitions); 49 Pa. Code § 45.504 (relating to reporting of completion of continuing education); and 49 Pa. Code § 45.505 (relating to approval of continuing education programs).
§ 45.507. Disciplinary action authorized.
(a) A licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist who submits fraudulent continuing education records may be subject to discipline under section 10 of the act (63 P.S. § 1710).
(b) A licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist who fails to complete the required continuing education requirement within any biennial renewal period may be subject to discipline unless the licensee is exempt or has been granted a waiver under § 45.502 (relating to exemption and waiver).
(c) Notwithstanding discipline imposed by the Board under subsection (b), whether by formal disciplinary proceedings or by issuance of a citation as set forth in § 43b.16a (relating to schedule of civil penalties—audiologists and speech-language pathologists), a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist who has been found to be deficient in continuing education hours shall make up deficiencies within 6 months of receiving notice of the deficiency.
(d) Failure to make up deficient continuing education hours as required under subsection (c) may subject the licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist to further discipline under section 10 of the act.
Authority The provisions of this § 45.507 amended under sections 5(2) and (7), 7(d)(1), 8(a) and 8.1 of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (63 P.S. § § 1705(2) and (7), 1707(d)(1), 1708(a) and 1708.1); and section 810(a)(3) and (7) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 279.1(a)(3) and (7)).
Source The provisions of this § 45.507 amended December 5, 2014, effective December 6, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7555; amended July 14, 2017, effective July 15, 2017, 47 Pa.B. 3814. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (375037).
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