Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
3700 - Board of Examiners of Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists & Hearing Aid Dispensers
Section 3700-8.0 - Continuing Education For All Licensees

8.1.1 Continuing education is required by the Board to maintain professional licensure in the fields of Speech/Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing. Continuing education requirements arise from an awareness that these fields are in a continual state of transition due to the introduction of new philosophies and the refinement of already existing knowledge. Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers should continually strive to update their clinical skills in an effort to deliver high quality services.

8.1.2 The Board is keenly aware of existing educational opportunities in Delaware and neighboring states and has established regulations which will provide continuing education credit as effortlessly as possible while assuring quality instruction. Credit will be given for participation in a variety of activities that increase knowledge and enhance professional growth.

8.1.3 These regulations recognize the financial and time limitations of Delaware's professionals while assuring continued appropriate services to those individuals who require them.

8.2.1 One continuing education contact hour (CE) is defined as 60 minutes of attendance/participation in an approved continuing education activity unless otherwise stated. (Therefore, credits and continuing education units (CEUs) issued by various organizations must be translated. e.g., 1.0 ASHA CEU=10 CE's)

8.2.2 The required number of CEs varies with the date of issuance of license, certification and/or professional status.

8.2.3 CE courses must focus on the enhancement of clinical skills and professional growth as defined below.

8.2.4 All CE activities must be approved by the Board. A licensee or CE course sponsor may request advance approval from the Board by submitting a completed Board Approval form. Approval may be requested after the conclusion of a course, but there is no guarantee the course will be approved.

8.2.5 CE is required for license renewal and shall be completed by July 31 of odd-numbered years.

8.2.6 Random audits will be performed by the Board to ensure compliance with the CE requirements. The Board will determine the percentage of licensees to be audited.

8.2.7 Verification shall include such information necessary for the Board to assess whether the course or other activity meets the CE requirements in Section 8.0. While course brochures may be used to verify CE hours, they are not considered to be acceptable proof for use of verification of course attendance. Verification must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

8.2.8 In response to the audit, audiologists and hearing aid dispensers shall submit documentation of calibration of electronic equipment used to assess hearing, as set forth in Section 7.0.

8.2.9 Licensees who are not audited shall retain their CE documentation for three (3) years after renewal.

8.2.10 Licensees who renew their license under the late renewal provision shall be audited for CE completion (and equipment calibration, if applicable). These licensees shall submit documents that evidence satisfactory completion of their CE requirements (and annual equipment calibration pursuant to Section 7.0, if applicable) for the prior licensure period.

8.2.11 The Board shall review all documentation submitted by licensees pursuant to the CE audit. If the Board determines that the licensee has met the CE requirements, his or her license shall remain in effect. If the Board determines that the licensee has not met the CE requirements, the licensee shall be notified and a hearing may be held pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act. The hearing will be conducted to determine if there are any extenuating circumstances justifying the noncompliance with the CE requirements. Unjustified noncompliance with the CE requirements set forth in these rules and regulations shall constitute a violation of 24 Del.C. § 3715(a)(7) and the licensee may be subject to one or more of the disciplinary sanctions set forth in 24 Del.C. § 3716.

8.3.1 CE activities sponsored by accredited professional organizations, such as ASHA or AAA, are acceptable, provided the topics are relevant to the improvement of the licensee's clinical skills or professional growth as defined in subsection 8.2.3.

8.3.2 A licensee may receive up to three (3) CE's for training obtained from a colleague who, after attending a professional conference, gives a formal presentation of the information from the conference after developing an agenda and outline.

8.3.3 University/College coursework for academic credit in the field of Speech/ Language Pathology, Audiology, or Hearing Aid Dispensing. A course description must be submitted to the Board for approval. (1 undergraduate credit=minimum of 3 CE's; 1 graduate credit=minimum of 5 CE's)

8.3.4 Professional presentations. A presentation summary must be submitted to the Board for approval. Credit may be given for a presentation only once during a licensure period. (1 hour of presentation=3 CE's)

8.3.5 Professional publication in related specialty journals. A reprint of the publication must be submitted to the Board for approval.

8.3.6 Other continuing education may be approved by the Board with documentation of content.

8.3.7 Excluded are any job related duties in the workplace such as staff meetings, CPR, etc.