Alabama Administrative Code
Title 870 - ALABAMA BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY
Chapter 870-X-4 - LICENSE RENEWAL/USE OF THE LICENSE
Section 870-X-4-.08 - Mandatory Continuing Education
Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 870-X-4-.08
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(1) Continuing Education Requirements.
(a) Each licensee
shall annually complete and report at least twelve (12) hours of continuing
education. A minimum of ten (10) shall be in the area of licensure - Content
Area I; one of the ten hours should be in the area of ethics; and a maximum of
(2) may be in areas related to the profession of speech-language pathology or
audiology - Content Area II, all which must contribute to professional
competency of licensee. The Board shall not issue a renewal of a licensee's
certificate of registration unless the licensee documents completion of twelve
(12) hours of continuing education. The period for completion of the continuing
education requirements shall be the period beginning January 1 and ending
December 31 of each renewal period.
(b) Any speech-language pathologist or
audiologist whose license has been placed on inactive status must obtain at
least twelve (12) continuing education hours for each year of inactive status
(refer to 870-X-4-.05 for inactive status) prior to license reactivation. These
twelve (12) hours must be in compliance with the content area
requirements.
(c) Any
speech-language pathologist or audiologist whose license has been revoked due
to failure to renew must demonstrate that they have obtained at least twelve
(12) continuing education hours for each year during which the license was in
revoked status in addition to the continuing education hours that were required
for renewal at the time the license was revoked prior to the granting of a new
license.
(d) Individuals with dual
licenses in both speech-language pathology and audiology shall complete at
least twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education on an annual basis as a
condition of licensure renewal. All twenty-four (24) required hours must meet
the qualifying criteria specified. The required hours must be equally
distributed between the two areas of speech-language pathology and audiology
and must be completed in the twelve (12) month period beginning January 1 and
ending December 31 of each renewal period. At the time of renewal, the licensee
is required to specify the applicable area for each continuing education
activity. Licensees with dual licenses should complete two of the 24 hours of
continuing education in ethics.
(e)
A single continuing education activity shall not apply to both areas of dual
licensure.
(2) Record Keeping, Recording and Monitoring.
(a) It is
the responsibility of each speech-language pathologist or audiologist to
maintain and compile accurate records relating to all continuing education
courses or activities attended and completed. It shall be the responsibility of
each speech-language pathologist and audiologist to maintain the above
described documentation and information pertaining to each renewal period for a
period of five (5) years and this information shall be submitted on line or a
form approved by and provided by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech
Language Pathology and Audiology at the time of license renewal. The Board will
not be responsible for maintaining the licensee's documentation of the
continuing education hours.
(b)
Each speech-language pathologist or audiologist must submit by December 31 (the
time of annual license renewal) of each year evidence of satisfactory
completion of the required hours of continuing education provided for in these
rules. This information shall be submitted on a form provided by the Board or
online. Upon receipt, the Board shall have the authority to review this
information. Each speech language pathologist and audiologist will be notified
that either (1) the requirements of these rules have been fulfilled (by
automatic renewal of their license) or (2) that there are deficiencies
resulting in noncompliance with rules and regulations relating to license
renewal. Licensee with deficiencies will be notified that their license(s) may
not be renewed until the noncompliance has been remedied in accordance with the
rules relating to license renewal.
(c) Auditing. The Board requires
documentation of continuing education for audit purposes. If a licensee fails
to renew his/her license on time, this will result in an automatic audit. Each
year 10% of all licensees will be randomly selected for audit of their
continuing education hours. If it is determined that the speech-language
pathologist or audiologist submitted false or misleading documentation to
ABESPA, such person may be subject to penalties outlined in Code of
Ala. 1975, §
34-28A-26.
(d) Each licensee shall certify by signature,
electronic or otherwise, on his/her licensure renewal form, under penalty of
perjury, that she/he has completed the required twelve (12) hours of continuing
education, and that the continuing education obtained meets the qualifying
criteria specified.
(e) Any
speech-language pathologist or audiologist who receives notification that the
license will not be renewed because of noncompliance with these rules will have
until January 31 to remedy noncompliance/deficiencies, without
penalty.
(f) If
noncompliance/deficiencies are not remedied by February 28, the speech-language
pathologist or audiologist has an additional thirty (30) days to appeal, in
writing, to the Board. Upon the receipt of the written appeal, the Board may
request the submission of additional information or records, or may require the
speech-language pathologist or audiologist to appear before the Board in
conjunction with the appeal. All applicable late renewal penalties apply during
the appeal period.
(3) Extension. An extension to the Continuing Education submission/completion timelines may, at its sole discretion, be granted by the Board under the following:
(a) A written request including
documentation and justification for the request per the conditions set forth
herein, shall be submitted to the Board, by January 31. The speech-language
pathologist or audiologist who seeks such an extension shall submit to the
Board any additional documentation required by the Board to make a decision
concerning the extension.
(b)
Extensions shall be granted by the Board only when in their judgment some
extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the licensee could reasonably
have prohibited, with a good faith effort on the part of said licensee,
compliance with this requirement (e.g. extended illness; force
majeure).
(c) When an extension is
approved by the Board, a new date for compliance shall be specified by
Board.
(d) All late renewal
penalties apply until deficiencies are remedied.
(4) Criteria for Approval of Continuing Education.
(a) Continuing Education in
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology shall consist of a series of planned
learning experiences beyond the educational programs that have led to the
degree that qualifies one for licensure. The licensee must participate in CEU
activities of at least twelve (12) clock hours for each license period. A
minimum of ten (10) of the required twelve (12) hours of continuing education
must improve the professional clinical competency of the licensee in the area
of licensure - Content Area I. A maximum of two (2) of the required twelve (12)
hours can be in an area related to the area of licensure but must improve the
professional competency of the licensee - Content Area II. Dual licensees must
complete twenty-four (24) clock hours with a minimum of ten (10) hours in each
discipline from Content Area I.
CONTENT AREA I:
1.
Anatomic and physiologic bases for the normal development and of speech,
language and hearing and balance
2.
Physical bases and processes of the production and perception of speech,
language and hearing
3. Linguistic
and psycho-linguistic variables related to normal development and use of
speech, language and hearing
4.
Technological, biomedical, engineering and instrumentation information which
would enable expansion of knowledge in the basic communication
processes
5. Various types of
disorders of communication, their manifestations, classification and
cause
6. Evaluation skills,
including procedures, techniques, and instrumentation for assessment
7. Principles in habilitation and
rehabilitation of communication disorders
8. Principles in diagnosis and rehabilitation
of balance and vestibular disorders
9. Ethical Practices
10. Any other professional competency area
that is relevant to treatment and diagnosis.
CONTENT AREA II: (Must relate to the professional competency of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology)
1. Regulations and implementation of federal
and/or state regulated programs
2.
Service delivery models
3.
Administration for supervision issues
4. Related areas which interface with
delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services
(b) One (1) hour of continuing
education credit shall be given for each clock hour of attendance
(c) Acceptable continuing education
activities include, but are not limited to:
1.
Workshops in the area of licensure approved by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Academy of Audiology
(AAA);
2. Academic coursework at a
regionally accredited college or university in the area of licensure taken for
credit or official audit (three semester hours or five quarter hours = 12 hours
of continuing education);
3.
Distance learning and self-study provided the activity is approved by ABESPA
(i.e. continuing education lending library (CELL), video conferences, telephone
seminars and Internet courses sponsored by individual private practitioners,
universities, schools, clinics, state agencies, hospitals, professional
organizations, or related professional organizations);
4. Workshops and in-services that are
university, school, clinic, hospital or state agency sponsored provided they
are approved by ABESPA;
5.
Publication of articles in a peer-reviewed journal for the year in which they
are published (maximum of two (2) hours;
6. Scientific or educational lectures to
include presentations such as poster sessions given by the licensee; the
presenting licensee may count 1 ½ times the value of a workshop the
first time it is presented to allow for preparation time (Example: a three hour
workshop = 4 ½ hours.) No credit will be allowed for subsequent
presentations of the same workshop;
7. Related areas of study pertain to the
understanding of human behavior, both normal and abnormal, as well as services
available from related professions which apply to the contemporary practice of
speech-language pathology/audiology, e.g., theories of learning and behavior;
services available from related professions that also deal with persons who
have disorders of communication; information from these professions about the
sensory, physical, emotional, social or intellectual states of child or adult;
and other areas such as, clinical supervision, counseling and
interviewing.
8. Teaching at the
college level in the area of communication disorders is not
acceptable.
(d)
Pre-approval is required for continuing education events that do not meet the
requirements as listed under (C).
(e) During the first cycle of licensure
renewal, the graduated scale for the collection of continuing education hours
is based on the date an applicant receives his/her initial license. One clock
hour CEU is required for every month a new licensee is licensed in the
state.
(f) Preapproval, by the
Board, of a continuing education activity may be requested by the licensee.
Preapprovals cannot be retroactive, that is, must be for activities to occur
after the Board approval date.
(g)
No continuing education credit shall be given for identical courses taken
during the same year.
(5) Documentation of continuing education compliance, as required during an auditing period, shall be evidenced by:
(a) A Continuing Education Registry Form from
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and/or the American
Academy of Audiology (AAA), specifically listing the continuing education
obtained by the licensee and the dates of obtainment; or
(b) A certificate of attendance provided by a
sponsor which contains the date of program, the program title and presenter(s),
program site, number of clock hours attended, name of sponsor and name of
licensee; or
(c) A personal letter
to the licensee which contains the date of the program, the program title and
presenter(s), program site, number of clock hours attended, name of sponsor,
name of licensee and is signed by a program official; or
(d) An official transcript, from a regionally
accredited college or university, indicating successful completion of academic
coursework in appropriate subject matter as specified of this rule.
(6) Any speech-language pathologist or audiologist who fails to comply with the provisions of these rules or who otherwise violates provisions of Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-28A-25 in connection with the requirements of these rules or relating to any information to be maintained or submitted to the Board as provided for in these rules shall be, upon notice of hearing, subject to the penalties outlined in the Code of Ala. 1975, Chapter 28A, § 34-28A-26.
Authors: Ruth Tucker, Richard Sweitzer, Patsy Patton, Denise P. Gibbs, Lissa Van Doorn, Gina Murray, Doreen Oyadomari, Paul Stephens, Margaret Hemm, Carmen Taylor, Thomasyne Smith, Florence Cuneo, Richard Talbott, Mark Carroll
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-28A-1, et seq.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alabama may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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