CHAPTER 328
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
645—328.1(148C) 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 physician assistants.
“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.
“Hour of continuing education” means at least 50 minutes spent by a licensee in actual attendance at and completion of an 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.
“License” means license to practice.
“Licensee” means any person licensed to practice as a physician assistant in the state of Iowa.
645—328.2(148C) Continuing education requirements.
	328.2(1) The biennial continuing education compliance period shall extend for a two-year period beginning on October 1 of each year and ending on September 30 two years later. Each biennium, each licensee shall be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing education approved by the board.
	328.2(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. The new licensee will be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing education per biennium for each subsequent license renewal.
	328.2(3) 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.
645—328.3(148C,272C) Standards.
	328.3(1) General criteria. A continuing education activity 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;
	d. 	Fulfills stated program goals, objectives, or both; and
	e. 	Provides an individual certificate of completion or evidence of successful completion of the course provided by the course sponsor. This documentation must contain the course title, date(s), contact hours, sponsor and licensee’s name.
	328.3(2) Specific criteria. Continuing education requirements are as follows:
	a. 	The licensee shall complete a minimum of 50 hours of credit designated as Category I by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians or other organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
	b. 	For the remaining 50 hours of required continuing medical education (CME), Category I or Category II (elective) credit, as accepted by the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants, shall satisfy the CME requirements.
	c. 	Licensees who maintain certification by the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA) may show proof of meeting the board’s CME requirements by providing proof of current certification by the NCCPA.
645—328.4(148C,272C) Audit of continuing education report. After each educational biennium, the board may audit licensees to review compliance with continuing education requirements.
	328.4(1) The board may audit a percentage of its licensees and may, at its discretion, determine to audit a licensee. A licensee whose license renewal application is submitted during the grace period may be subject to a continuing education audit.
	328.4(2) The licensee shall provide an individual certificate of completion or evidence of successful completion of the course provided by the course sponsor. This documentation must contain the course title, date(s), contact hours, sponsor and licensee’s name.
	328.4(3) For auditing purposes, all licensees must retain the information identified in subrule 328.4(2) for two years after the biennium has ended.
	328.4(4) Information identified in subrule 328.4(2) must be submitted within one month after the date of notification of the audit. Extension of time may be granted on an individual basis.
	328.4(5) If the submitted materials are incomplete or unsatisfactory, the licensee may be given the opportunity to submit make-up credit to cover the deficit found through the audit if the board determines that the deficiency was the result of good-faith conduct on the part of the licensee. The deadline for receipt of the documentation for this make-up credit is 120 days from the date of mailing to the address of record at the board office.
	328.4(6) Failure to notify the board of a current mailing address will not absolve the licensee from the audit requirement, and an audit must be completed before license renewal.
645—328.5(148C,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—328.6(148C,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 for a relative who is ill or disabled and needs care from that primary caregiver, the physician shall verify the licensee’s 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.
	328.6(1) A licensee requesting an extension or exemption shall submit a request on a form approved by the board that sets forth the reasons for the request and has been signed by the licensee and the attending physician.
	328.6(2) The board may grant an extension of time to fulfill the continuing education requirement.
	328.6(3) 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.
	328.6(4) 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.
645—328.7(148C,272C) Grounds for disciplinary action. The board may take formal disciplinary action on the following grounds:
	328.7(1) Failure to cooperate with a board audit.
	328.7(2) Failure to meet the continuing education requirement for licensure.
	328.7(3) Falsification of information on the license renewal form.
	328.7(4) Falsification of continuing education information.
645—328.8(148C) Continuing education exemption for inactive practitioners. Rescinded IAB 8/17/05, effective 9/21/05.
645—328.9(148C) Reinstatement of inactive practitioners. Rescinded IAB 8/17/05, effective 9/21/05.
645—328.10(272C) Hearings. Rescinded IAB 8/17/05, effective 9/21/05.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 272C.2 and chapter 148C.
[Filed 1/19/01, Notice 11/15/00—published 2/7/01, effective 3/14/01]
[Filed 7/19/02, Notice 4/3/02—published 8/7/02, effective 9/11/02]
[Filed emergency 7/18/03—published 8/6/03, effective 7/18/03]
[Filed 7/21/05, Notice 5/11/05—published 8/17/05, effective 9/21/05]
[Filed 1/20/06, Notice 11/9/05—published 2/15/06, effective 3/22/06]
[Filed 10/19/07, Notice 8/15/07—published 11/7/07, effective 12/12/07]