Rule 360-31-.07 - Continuing Education Requirements(1) To be eligible to renew a license, each licensee must complete thirty (30) hours of Board approved continuing education during the two years preceding license renewal. An applicant for renewal of an individual license to practice orthotics or prosthetics who has been initially licensed by the Board for less than two years shall not be required to complete the continuing education hours in order to renew for the first biennium. (a) the Board is authorized to waive the continuing education required for renewal in cases of hardship, disability, illness, service in the United States Congress or Georgia General Assembly, military service or other circumstances as the Board deems appropriate if supported by adequate documentation acceptable to the Board. 1. Applicant seeking such an exemption must submit a written request and documentation to support their eligibility for such an exemption.2. Said request for an exemption shall be submitted to the Board not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the license to receive a determination from the Board as to whether an exemption would be granted.(2) Each licensee shall be required to answer questions on their biennial renewal application form that establish compliance with Board approved continuing education requirements. Licensees will not be required to send documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements for renewal, unless requested by the Board pursuant to Rule 360-31-.07(4). False statements regarding satisfaction of continuing education on the renewal form or any other document connected with the practice of orthotics and/or prosthetics may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the Board. (3) Each licensee who must meet the requirements of this chapter must maintain a record of attendance and supporting documents for Board approved continuing education for a period of five (5) years from the date of attendance. At a minimum, the following information must be kept: (c) hours of continuing education units completed; and(4) The Board will audit a fixed percentage of randomly selected renewal applications to monitor compliance with the continuing education requirements. Any licensee 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 licensee so audited that has been found to be out of compliance with the Board's continuing education requirements may be subject to disciplinary action.(5) Continuing education hours that are used to satisfy a deficiency may not be used for purposes of renewal of the applicant's license for the next biennium.(6) Any applicant seeking renewal of a license without having fully complied with the Board's continuing education requirement 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. § 50-13-9.1setting 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.(7) All renewal applicants must provide an affidavit and a secure and verifiable document in accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(f). If the applicant has previously provided a secure and verifiable document and affidavit of United States citizenship, no additional documentation of citizenship is required for renewal. If the applicant for renewal is not a United States citizen, he/she must submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-U.S. citizens. If the applicant for renewal is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal agency.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 360-31-.07
O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-1-7, 43-34-5, 43-34-11, 43-34-196, 43-34-200, and 50-36-1.
Original Rule entitled "Duplicate Licenses" adopted. F. Sept. 19, 2006; eff. Oct. 9, 2006.Repealed: New rule entitled "Continuing Education Requirements" adopted. F. May 11, 2012; eff. May 31, 2012.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 16, 2013; eff. Nov. 5, 2013.