Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Division 2255 - Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Chapter 4 - Continuing Education Requirements
Section 20 CSR 2255-4.010 - Continuing Education Requirements

(1) As a condition for renewal of a license, all respiratory care practitioners are required to complete twenty-four (24) hours of approved continuing education in the practice of respiratory care as defined by section 334.800(11), RSMo in the continuing education reporting period preceding renewal of the license. The continuing education reporting period is the twenty-four (24)-month period beginning on August 1 of even numbered years and ending on July 31 of even numbered years. Continuing education hours earned after July 31 shall apply to the next continuing education reporting period. At least twelve (12) hours credit shall be from approved, traditional programs during each continuing education reporting period. Traditional educational programs are those programs, attended either in person or attended remotely, by the use of telecommunication technology, where the presentation is "live," and where the attendee can interact with and ask questions of the presenter during the presentation. Non-traditional programs are those approved programs that include a testing mechanism, not presented "live" where the attendee is not able to interact with and ask questions of the presenter during the presentation. The licensee is exempt from continuing education requirements for the first renewal period after initial licensing.

(2) For the license renewal due on August 1, 2002, and each subsequent renewal thereafter, the licensee shall certify, on the renewal form provided by the board, that he/she has obtained at least twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education during the continuing education reporting period preceding the license renewal. The renewal form shall be submitted to the board office on or before the expiration date. The renewal form shall not be considered complete until all of the required information has been received by the board. The licensee shall not submit the record of continuing education attendance to the board except in the case of a board audit.

(3) A continuing education hour includes but is not limited to:

(4) Programs approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and its state affiliates shall be considered automatically approved activities for completion of the continuing education hours.

(5) If a group or individual wants to sponsor a continuing education program relating to respiratory care that is not approved by the AARC or its state affiliates, a request shall be submitted to the board's executive director not fewer than ten (10) business days prior to the offering of the continuing education program. Once all information pertaining to the request has been received in the board office, the board shall review the request and then notify the sponsor whether approval will be granted. The board will not consider requests for approval of any program submitted after it has already been presented.

(6) Courses received less than sixty (60) days prior to the program date will not be eligible for appeal. If a course is denied or is accredited for fewer hours than were requested, the applicant may file an appeal, provided that the application was originally received sixty (60) days prior to the date of the program. The appeal must be in written form and must provide a detailed justification to support the applicant's appeal. The chairperson for the board will review the appeal and all accompanying documentation. If the chairperson concurs with the original decision, the appeal is considered complete and the original decision will be upheld. If there is a difference between the members' decisions, the course will be reviewed by the full board at the next scheduled meeting.

(7) Continuing education hours shall not be awarded for regular work activities (including orientation), administrative staff meetings, case staffing or reporting, membership in or holding office in, or participation on boards or committees, business meetings of professional organizations, or training specifically related to policies and procedures of an agency. Exceptions to this rule are in-service training programs approved by the board.

(8) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining his/her records of continuing education activities. Each licensee shall maintain for a period of not less than the preceding two (2) continuing education reporting periods prior to renewal, documentation verifying completion of the appropriate number of continuing education hours for each renewal period.

(9) Upon request of the board, the licensee shall provide all documentation of completion of continuing educational activities. Documentation of the continuing education may consist of-

(10) Any licensee seeking renewal of a license or certificate without having fully complied with these continuing education requirements who wishes to seek a waiver of the requirements shall file with the board a renewal application, a statement setting forth the facts concerning the noncompliance, a request for waiver of the continuing education requirements on the basis of such facts and, if desired, a request for an interview before the board. If the board finds from the statement or any other evidence submitted, that good cause has been shown for waiving the continuing education requirements, or any part thereof, the board shall waive part or all of the requirements for the renewal period for which the licensee has applied. At that time, the licensee will be requested to submit the required renewal fee.

(11) Violation of any provision of this rule shall be deemed by the board to constitute misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation, dishonesty, unethical conduct or unprofessional conduct in the performance of the functions or duties of a respiratory care practitioner depending on the licensee's conduct. In addition, a licensee who fails to complete and report in a timely fashion the required twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education and engages in the practice of respiratory care without the expressed written consent of the board shall be deemed to have engaged in the unauthorized practice of respiratory care.