64B6-5.002: Continuing Education Programs
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule amendment will clarify requirements for medical errors and HIV courses.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Continuing Education Programs.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.013(6)-(9), 484.044, 484.047(4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(6)-(9), 484.047(4) FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
64B6-5.002 Continuing Education Programs.
(1) Programs approved by the International Institute of Hearing Instrument Studies shall automatically be approved for continuing education credit.
(2) Providers of programs which are not automatically approved pursuant to subsection (1) of this rule may request approval of individual programs upon a showing that they are relevant to and that they enhance the licensee’s ability to dispense hearing aids. Such request shall specifically state whether program attendance will be restricted in any way.
(3) A continuing education program shall only be considered for approval if the sponsor meets the Board’s criteria by providing all of the following:
(a) A statement of the educational goals and objectives of the program.
(b) A detailed course outline or syllabus, including method of instruction, written materials, and any testing materials.
(c) A current curriculum vitae of each speaker or lecturer appearing in the program.
(d) A sample certificate of completion.
(4) When attending an approved program, the licensee’s attendance must be certified by the program’s registrar and submitted to the Board office as verification.
(5) Attendees attending a program not approved pursuant to the above subsections of this rule may request approval of the program attended. Such request must include sufficient information to demonstrate that the program meets the requirements of this rule.
(6) Notwithstanding the above, a program may not be approved by the Board if during the prior three years, the sponsor represented that a continuing education program was approved by the Board, and the program content substantially departed from the content approved by the Board, except in emergency cases.
(7) Two hours of continuing education per year may be granted for attendance at a regularly scheduled board meeting. Licensees appearing before the board on any disciplinary proceeding shall not be entitled to claim two hours of continuing education for that particular board meeting. Any licensee claiming two hours of continuing education under this section shall prepare a written statement detailing the date and location of said board meeting, and the hours attended at said board meeting. Said written statement shall be used to report continuing education attendance pursuant to Rule 64B6-5.003, F.A.C.
(8) Effective for the biennium beginning in 2001, each Hearing Aid Specialist shall attend and certify attending two hours and may take up to four (4) hours per biennium of continuing education which includes the topics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and other communicable illness to protect both the recipient and dispenser; modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical management, and prevention of any communicable illness. Such continuing education shall be accepted by the Board toward the continuing education requirement prescribed in Rule 64B6-5.001, F.A.C. Up to four hours of continuing education relating to these topics shall be accepted for the 1999-2001 biennium. Dually-licensed individuals, under Chapter 456, F.S., shall only be required to take one HIV/AIDS course to satisfy the continuing education requirements for this Board.
(9) Each Hearing Aid Specialist shall attend and certify attending a Board approved two hour continuing education course relating to the prevention of medical errors. Licensees must attend a live presentation of a medical errors course that is presented by a Board-approved provider. The medical errors course cannot be taken as a home study course. Licensees who are licensed under other professions regulated by Chapter 456, F.S., shall be exempt from this requirement. Dually-licensed individuals, under Chapter 456, F.S., shall only be required to take one medical errors course to satisfy the continuing education requirements for this Board. The 2-hour course shall count toward the total number of continuing education hours required for license renewal.
Specific Authority 456.013(6)-(9), 484.044, 484.047(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(6)-(9), 484.047(4) FS. History–New 4-1-85, Formerly 21JJ-15.002, Amended 8-5-87, 2-16-89, 6-21-89, 1-10-90, 8-19-91, 10-21-91, Formerly 21JJ-5.006, Amended 11-20-95, Formerly 61G9-5.006, Amended 9-23-99, 11-9-00, 3-24-02, 11-18-02,_________.