Rule 360-13-.10 - Continuing Education Requirements(1) Any applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice Respiratory Care who has been initially licensed by examination for less than two years shall not be required to complete the continuing education hours in order to renew the certificate for the first time. However, for the next renewal must obtain 30 hours of continuing education.(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1), to be eligible to renew a certificate, each certificate holder must complete 30 contact hours, or 3 continuing education units, of approved continuing education during the two years preceding certification renewal. One continuing education unit shall be equal to 10 contact hours of instruction. Certificate holders shall not receive contact hours or continuing education units for teaching continuing education courses. Each certificate must be renewed biennially by the last day of the month in which the applicant's birthday falls.(3) Each certificate holder shall be required to answer questions on their renewal application form that establish compliance with Board approved continuing education requirements. Certificate holders will not be required to send documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements for renewal, unless requested by the Board pursuant to Rule 360-13-.10(4). False statements regarding satisfaction of continuing education on the renewal form or any other document connected with the practice of respiratory care may subject the certificate holder to disciplinary action by the Board.(4) Each licensed individual must maintain a record of attendance and supporting documents of approved continuing education requirements as stated in this Rule for a period of five years. At a minimum, the following information must be kept: (c) hours of continuing education units completed; and(5) The Board will audit a fixed percentage of randomly selected renewal applications to monitor compliance with the continuing education requirements. Any certificate holder so audited shall be required to furnish documentation of compliance including name of provider, name of program, hours/continuing education units completed and date of completion. Any certificate holder so audited that has been found to be out of compliance with the Board's continuing education requirements may be subject to disciplinary action.(6) If the certificate holder has not complied with the continuing education requirement by the expiration of the certificate, his/her certificate shall not be renewed and the certificate holder shall not engage in the practice of respiratory care. A certificate holder may late renew during the three months following the expiration date of his or her certificate by presenting satisfactory evidence to the Board of completion of the contact hours or continuing education units of Board approved continuing education required by paragraph (2) of this Rule and the late renewal fee. Certificates not renewed within 3 months following the expiration date of the certificate shall be revoked for failure to renew. In order to obtain a valid certificate after revocation for failure to renew, an applicant must apply for reinstatement in accordance with Rule 360-13-.09.(7) Continuing education hours that are used to satisfy a deficiency may not be used for purposes of renewal of the certificate holder's certificate for the next biennium.(8) Any certificate holder seeking renewal of a certificate without having fully complied with the Board's continuing education requirements who wishes to seek a waiver or variance of this rule shall file with the Board.(a) a renewal application and fee and(b) a statement that complies with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 50-13-9.1 setting forth the specific facts of substantial hardship which would justify a variance or waiver, including the alternative standards which the person seeking a waiver or variance agrees to meet and a showing that such alternative standards will afford adequate protection for the public health, safety and welfare; and the reason why the variance would serve the purpose of the underlying statute.(9) The following courses are approved by the Board as meeting the continuing education requirements:(a) Courses approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care or its successor organization.(b) Courses approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics.(c) Courses approved by the American Thoracic Society.(d) Courses approved by the American College of Chest Physicians.(e) Courses approved by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.(f) The following programs of the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics; however, these programs shall constitute no more than 25% of the total acceptable continuing education units required.2. Basic Life Support Recertification3. Advanced Cardiac Life Support4. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Recertification5. Basic Life Support Instructor6. Basic Life Support Instructor Trainer7. Basic Life Support Instructor Trainer Recertification8. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor9. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor Update (Certification)10. Basic Trauma Life Support11. Basic Trauma Life Support Recertification12. Pediatric Basic Life Support13. Pediatric Advanced Life Support14. Pediatric Advanced Life Support Recertification15. Neonatal Resuscitation Program16. Neonatal Recertification.(g) Courses approved by the American Society for Anesthesia(h) National Board for Respiratory Care Self-Assessment Exams(i) National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Exams(j) American Medical Association Category I programs(k) Courses approved by the College of American Pathologists provided the courses are related to pulmonary pathology or acid base balance and constitute no more than 25% of the acceptable continuing education units required.(l) Respiratory specific courses approved by the Georgia Nursing Association; however, courses approved by the Georgia Nursing Association shall constitute no more than 25% of the total acceptable continuing education units required.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 360-13-.10
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-3, 43-34-143, 43-34-145, 43-34-147, 43-34-150.
Original Rule entitled "Practice of Respiratory Care Without Certification Prohibited; Exceptions" adopted. F. June 9, 1995; eff. June 29, 1995.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Continuing Education Requirements" adopted. F. Aug. 14, 2003; eff. Sept. 3, 2003.Amended: F. June 11, 2004; eff. July 1, 2004.Amended: F. Aug. 29, 2005; eff. Sept. 18, 2005.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Apr. 12, 2006; eff. May 2, 2006.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 28, 2006; eff. July 18, 2006.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 6, 2009; eff. Oct. 26, 2009.Amended: F. Dec. 27, 2023; eff. Jan. 16, 2024.