CHAPTER 262
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS AND POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGISTS
[Prior to 4/17/02, see 645—Chapter 261]
645—262.1(148G,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 and polysomnography.
“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, polysomnographic technologist, or respiratory care and polysomnography practitioner in the state of Iowa.
[ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16]
645—262.2(148G,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 continuing education that meets the requirements specified in rule 645—262.3(148G,152B,272C).
	a. 	For respiratory care practitioner licensees: complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education. Fourteen of the 24 hours of continuing education shall be earned by completing a program in which the instructor conducts the class in person or by employing an electronic technology that allows for real-time communication between the instructor and licensee.
	b. 	For respiratory care and polysomnography practitioner licensees: complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education. Fourteen of the 24 hours of continuing education shall be earned by completing a program in which the instructor conducts the class in person or by employing an electronic technology that allows for real-time communication between the instructor and licensee. At least 8 hours but not more than 12 hours shall be on sleep-related topics.
	c. 	For polysomnographic technologist licensees: complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education. Fourteen of the 24 hours of continuing education shall be earned by completing a program in which the instructor conducts the class in person or by employing an electronic technology that allows for real-time communication between the instructor and licensee.
	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. For each subsequent license renewal, the new licensee will be required to complete continuing education per biennium.
	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.
[ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16; ARC 3932C, IAB 8/1/18, effective 9/5/18]
645—262.3(148G,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 or polysomnography.
	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. 	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	12 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support—Instructor	8 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support	6 hours	
Neonatal Resuscitation	9 hours	
Pediatric Advanced Life Support	14 hours	
Mandatory Reporting	4 hours	
Certified Pulmonary Function
	Technologist	8 hours	
Registered Pulmonary Function
	Technologist	12 hours	

Neonatal Pediatric Specialist	12 hours	
Sleep Disorders Specialist	12 hours	
Adult Critical Care Specialist	12 hours	
Recertifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support	4 hours	
Basic Cardiac Life Support	2 hours	
Neonatal Resuscitation	3 hours	
Pediatric Advanced Life Support	3 hours	
Registered Respiratory Therapist	24 hours	
Certified Pulmonary Function
	Technologist	8 hours	
Registered Pulmonary Function
	Technologist	12 hours	
Neonatal Pediatric Specialist	12 hours	
Sleep Disorders Specialist	12 hours	
Adult Critical Care Specialist	12 hours	
Certified Respiratory Therapist	24 hours	
	e. 	A maximum of 6 hours of continuing education may be obtained by completing programs which enhance a supplemental or complementary skill set directly related to the practice of respiratory care or polysomnography. Content areas include but are not limited to record keeping, electronic medical records, geriatric care, mandatory reporter training, and ethics.
	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; ARC 0537C, IAB 12/26/12, effective 1/30/13; ARC 1453C, IAB 5/14/14, effective 6/18/14; ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16; ARC 3932C, IAB 8/1/18, effective 9/5/18]
645—262.4(152B,272C) Audit of continuing education report. Rescinded IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12.
645—262.5(148G,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.
[ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16]
645—262.6(148G,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.
[ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16]
645—262.7(148G,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.
[ARC 2323C, IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 272C.2 and chapter 152B and 2015 Iowa Acts, House File 203, sections 7 to 14 [Iowa Code chapter 148G].
[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]
[Filed ARC 0537C (Notice ARC 0221C, IAB 7/25/12), IAB 12/26/12, effective 1/30/13]
[Filed ARC 1453C (Notice ARC 1255C, IAB 12/25/13), IAB 5/14/14, effective 6/18/14]
[Filed ARC 2323C (Notice ARC 2224C, IAB 10/28/15), IAB 12/23/15, effective 1/27/16]
[Filed ARC 3932C (Notice ARC 3617C, IAB 2/14/18), IAB 8/1/18, effective 9/5/18]