CHAPTER 122
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEARING AID DISPENSERS
645—122.1(154A) 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 hearing aid dispensers.
“Continuing education” means planned, organized learning acts acquired during initial licensure 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.
“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 hearing aid dispenser in the state of Iowa.
645—122.2(154A) Continuing education requirements.
	122.2(1) The biennial continuing education compliance period shall extend for a two-year period beginning on January 1 of each odd-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the next even-numbered year. Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a hearing aid dispenser in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 32 hours of continuing education approved by the board.
	122.2(2) Requirements for 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 32 hours of continuing education per biennium for each subsequent license renewal.
	122.2(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.
	122.2(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.
	122.2(5) It is the responsibility of each licensee to finance the cost of continuing education.
645—122.3(154A,272C) Standards.
	122.3(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 the presenters;
	d. 	Fulfills stated program goals, objectives, or both; and
	e. 	Provides proof of attendance to licensees in attendance including:
	(1)	Date, place, 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.
	122.3(2) Specific criteria. Continuing education hours of credit may be obtained by completing the following:
	a. 	Academic coursework if the coursework is offered by an accredited postsecondary educational institution. The maximum number of continuing education hours of credit for academic coursework per biennium is 15 hours with:
1 academic semester hour = 15 continuing education hours; and
1 academic quarter hour = 10 continuing education hours.
	b. 	A maximum of 4 hours of credit for telnet courses. Independent study telnet courses are acceptable only when an on-site monitor is present.
	c. 	Attending programs, conferences, or business, technical, or professional seminars which enhance a licensee’s ability to provide quality hearing health care services.
645—122.4(154A,272C) Audit of continuing education report. Rescinded IAB 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09.
645—122.5(154A,272C) Automatic exemption. Rescinded IAB 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09.
645—122.6(154A,272C) Continuing education exemption for disability or illness. Rescinded IAB 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09.
645—122.7(154A,272C) Grounds for disciplinary action. Rescinded IAB 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09.
645—122.8(154A,272C) Continuing education waiver for inactive practitioners. Rescinded IAB 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05.
645—122.9(154A,272C) Continuing education exemption for disability or illness. Rescinded IAB 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05.
645—122.10(154A,272C) Reinstatement of inactive practitioners. Rescinded IAB 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05.
645—122.11(272C) Hearings. Rescinded IAB 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 272C.2 and chapter 154A.
[Filed 8/18/00, Notice 5/17/00—published 9/6/00, effective 10/11/00]
[Filed 5/8/02, Notice 3/6/02—published 5/29/02, effective 7/3/02]
[Filed 8/5/05, Notice 5/25/05—published 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05]◊
[Filed 12/11/08, Notice 9/24/08—published 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09]
◊	Two or more ARCs