CHAPTER 262
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS
[Prior to 4/17/02, see 645—Chapter 261]
645—262.1(152B,272C) Definitions. For the purpose of these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired.
“Approved program/activity” means a continuing education program/activity meeting the standards set forth in these rules.
“Audit” means the selection of licensees for verification of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements during a specified time period.
“Board” means the board of respiratory care.
“Continuing education” means planned, organized learning acts designed to maintain, improve, or expand a licensee’s knowledge and skills in order for the licensee to develop new knowledge and skills relevant to the enhancement of practice, education, or theory development to improve the safety and welfare of the public.
“Electronically transmitted” means a program/activity that is videotaped, presented on the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), computer-based or other electronically based means that includes a posttest.
“Hour of continuing education” means at least 50 minutes spent by a licensee in actual attendance at and completion of approved continuing education activity.
“Inactive license” means a license that has expired because it was not renewed by the end of the grace period. The category of “inactive license” may include licenses formerly known as lapsed, inactive, delinquent, closed, or retired.
“Independent study” means a subject/program/activity that a person pursues autonomously that meets standards for approval criteria in the rules and includes a posttest.
“License” means license to practice.
“Licensee” means any person licensed to practice as a respiratory care practitioner in the state of Iowa.
645—262.2(152B,272C) Continuing education requirements.
	262.2(1) The biennial continuing education compliance period shall extend for a two-year period beginning on April 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on March 31 of the next even-numbered year. Each biennium, the licensee shall be required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education that meet the requirements specified in rule 645—262.3(152B,272C). Fourteen of the 24 hours of continuing education shall be earned by completing a program in which the instructor conducts the class employing in-person or live, real-time interactive media or by employing an archived audio or video presentation which permits the licensee a means to communicate with the presenter in real time.
	262.2(2) Requirements of new licensees. Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used. The new licensee will be required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education per biennium for each subsequent license renewal.
	262.2(3) Hours of continuing education credit may be obtained by attending and participating in a continuing education activity. These hours must be in accordance with these rules.
	262.2(4) No hours of continuing education shall be carried over into the next biennium except as stated for the second renewal. A licensee whose license was reactivated during the current renewal compliance period may use continuing education earned during the compliance period for the first renewal following reactivation.
	262.2(5) It is the responsibility of each licensee to finance the cost of continuing education.
645—262.3(152B,272C) Standards.
	262.3(1) General criteria. A continuing education activity which meets all of the following criteria is appropriate for continuing education credit if the continuing education activity:
	a. 	Constitutes an organized program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competency of the licensee;
	b. 	Pertains to subject matters which integrally relate to the practice of the profession;
	c. 	Is conducted by individuals who have specialized education, training and experience by reason of which said individuals should be considered qualified concerning the subject matter of the program. At the time of audit, the board may request the qualifications of presenters;
	d. 	Fulfills stated program goals, objectives, or both; and
	e. 	Provides proof of attendance to licensees in attendance including:
	(1)	Date(s), location, course title, presenter(s);
	(2)	Number of program contact hours; and
	(3)	Certificate of completion or evidence of successful completion of the course provided by the course sponsor.
	262.3(2) Specific criteria. Continuing education hours of credit may be obtained by:
	a. 	Programs/activities that shall be of a clinical nature related to the practice of respiratory care. Clinical nature subject matter is described as basic clinical processes that include information beyond the basic licensure requirements applicable to the normal development and use of the clinical respiratory care practitioner. Any communication course must involve the actual application to the practice of the respiratory care practitioner.
	b. 	Program presenters who will receive one hour of credit for each hour of presentation for the first offering of the continuing education program/activity.
	c. 	Academic coursework that meets the criteria set forth in the rules and is accompanied by an official transcript indicating successful completion of the course. Continuing education credit equivalents are as follows:
1 academic semester hour = 15 continuing education hours
1 academic quarter hour = 10 continuing education hours
	d. 	All courses offered by the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) continuing education programs/activities.
	e. 	Maximums per biennium are as follows:
	(1)	No more than ten hours of approved independent study for continuing education requirements in a given continuing education compliance period.
	(2)	The following are approved for continuing education credit on a one-time basis per biennium and require a certificate of attendance or verification:
Certifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support	up to 12 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support—Instructor	up to 8 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support	up to 6 hours	
Neonatal Resuscitation	up to 9 hours	
Pediatric Advanced Life Support	up to 14 hours	
Mandatory Reporting	up to 4 hours	
Recertifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support	up to 4 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support	up to 2 hours	
Neonatal Resuscitation	up to 3 hours	
Pediatric Advanced Life Support	up to 3 hours	
	f. 	Unacceptable subject matter includes marketing, personal development, time management, human relations, collective bargaining and tours.
[ARC 9931B, IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12]
645—262.4(152B,272C) Audit of continuing education report. Rescinded IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12.
645—262.5(152B,272C) Automatic exemption. A licensee shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement during the license biennium when that person:
	1.	Served honorably on active duty in the military service; or
	2.	Resided in another state or district having continuing education requirements for the profession and met all requirements of that state or district for practice therein; or
	3.	Was a government employee working in the licensee’s specialty and assigned to duty outside the United States; or
	4.	Was absent from the state but engaged in active practice under circumstances which are approved by the board.
645—262.6(152B,272C) Grounds for disciplinary action. The board may take formal disciplinary action on the following grounds:
	262.6(1) Failure to cooperate with a board audit.
	262.6(2) Failure to meet the continuing education requirement for licensure.
	262.6(3) Falsification of information on the license renewal form.
	262.6(4) Falsification of continuing education information.
645—262.7(152B,272C) Continuing education exemption for disability or illness. A licensee who has had a physical or mental disability or illness during the license period may apply for an exemption. An exemption provides for an extension of time or exemption from some or all of the continuing education requirements. An applicant shall submit a completed application form approved by the board for an exemption. The application form is available upon request from the board office. The application requires the signature of a licensed health care professional who can attest to the existence of a disability or illness during the license period. If the application is from a licensee who is the primary caregiver to a relative who is ill or disabled and needs care from that primary caregiver, the physician shall verify status as the primary caregiver. A licensee who applies for an exemption shall be notified of the decision regarding the application. A licensee who obtains approval shall retain a copy of the exemption to be presented to the board upon request.
	262.7(1) The board may grant an extension of time to fulfill the continuing education requirement.
	262.7(2) The board may grant an exemption from the continuing education requirement for any period of time not to exceed two calendar years. If the physical or mental disability or illness for which an extension or exemption was granted continues beyond the period initially approved by the board, the licensee must reapply for a continuance of the extension or exemption.
	262.7(3) The board may, as a condition of any extension or exemption granted, require the licensee to make up a portion of the continuing education requirement in the manner determined by the board.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 272C.2 and chapter 152B.
[Filed 12/8/00, Notice 10/24/00—published 12/27/00, effective 1/31/01]
[Filed 3/29/02, Notice 1/23/02—published 4/17/02, effective 5/22/02]
[Filed 1/14/04, Notice 10/15/03—published 2/4/04, effective 3/10/04]
[Filed 10/8/04, Notice 7/7/04—published 10/27/04, effective 12/1/04]
[Filed 5/12/05, Notice 3/16/05—published 6/8/05, effective 7/13/05]
[Filed 7/23/07, Notice 5/23/07—published 8/15/07, effective 9/19/07]
[Filed 10/30/08, Notice 8/27/08—published 11/19/08, effective 1/1/09]
[Filed ARC 9931B (Notice ARC 9780B, IAB 10/5/11), IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12]
[Filed ARC 9932B (Notice ARC 9594B, IAB 7/13/11), IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12]