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Continuing Professional Development Excerpts

Extracts from the Business and Professions Code
Article 3. Licensure

2532.6. Continuing Professional Development

  1. (a) The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements of this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to assure the public of professional competence. The Legislature encourages all professionals licensed and registered by the board under this chapter to regularly engage in continuing professional development and learning that is related and relevant to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
  2. (b) On and after January 1, 2001, and until January 1, 2002, the board shall not renew any license or registration pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that he or she has completed, after April 12, 1999, and prior to his or her renewal date in 2001, not less than the minimum number of continuing professional development hours established by the board pursuant to subdivision (c) for the professional practice authorized by his or her license. On and after January 1, 2002, the board shall not renew any license or registration pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that he or she has completed in the preceding two years not less than the minimum number of continuing professional development hours established by the board pursuant to subdivision (c) for the professional practice authorized by his or her license or registration.
  3. (c) (1) The board shall prescribe the forms utilized for and the number of hours of required continuing professional development for persons licensed or registered under this chapter.
    (2) The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing professional development requirements.
    (3) Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing professional development coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
  4. (d) The board shall establish exceptions from the continuing professional development requirements of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
  5. (e) (1) The continuing professional development services shall be obtained from accredited institutions of higher learning, organizations approved as continuing education providers by either the American Speech-Language Hearing Association or the American Academy of Audiology, the California Medical Association's Institute for Medical Quality Continuing Medical Education Program, or other entities or organizations approved as continuing professional development providers by the board, in its discretion.
    (2) No hours shall be credited for any course enrolled in by a licensee that has not first been approved and certified by the board, if the board has sufficient funding and staff resources to implement the approval and certification process.
    (3) The continuing professional development services offered by these entities may, but are not required to, utilize pretesting and posttesting or other evaluation techniques to measure and demonstrate improved professional learning and competency.
    (4) An accredited institution of higher learning, an organization approved as continuing education providers by either the American Speech-Language Hearing Association or the American Academy of Audiology, and the California Medical Association's Institute for Medical Quality Continuing Education Program shall be exempt from any application or registration fees that the board may charge for continuing education providers.
    (5) Unless a course offered by entities listed in paragraph (4) meets the requirements established by the board, the course may not be credited towards the continuing professional development requirements for license renewal.
    (6) The licensee shall be responsible for obtaining the required course completion documents for courses offered by entities specified in paragraph (1).
  6. (f) The board, by regulation, shall fund the administration of this section through professional development services provider and licensing fees to be deposited in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board Fund. The fees related to the administration of this section shall be sufficient to meet, but shall not exceed, the costs of administering the corresponding provisions of this section.
  7. (g) The continuing professional development requirements adopted by the board shall comply with any guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Extracts from California Code of Regulations
Article 2. Applications

Subsection (d) of Section 1399.151.1

  1. (d) Continuing Professional Development Provider Approvals.
    (1) The board shall inform in writing an applicant for approval as a continuing professional development provider within 30 days whether the application is complete and accepted for filing or is deficient and what specific information is required.
    (2) The board shall inform in writing an applicant for approval as a continuing professional development provider within 30 days completion of the application, of its decision whether the applicant meets the requirements for approval. "Completion of the application" means that a completed application form together with all required information, documentation and fees have been filed by the applicant.
  2. (e) Continuing Professional Development Course Submissions.
    (1) The board shall inform in writing a licensee and/or a continuing professional development provider within 30 days as to whether a voluntary petition for course approval documentation is complete and accepted for filing or is deficient and what specific information is required to correct the deficiency. The term "complete" means that all required information and documentation has been filed by the licensee and/or continuing professional development provider.
    (2) The board shall inform in writing a licensee and/or continuing professional development provider within 45 days after completion of the documentation submitted for a voluntary petition for course approval, of its decision whether the course meets the course content requirements as defined in Section 1399.160 .4.

Extracts from California Code of Regulations
Article 8. Miscellaneous

Subsection (d) of Section 1399.157

  1. (d) The application and the biennial renewal fee for a continuing professional development provider is a $200 non-refundable fee.

Article 11. Continuing Professional Development

1399.160. Definitions.

As used in this article:

  1. (a) A continuing professional development "course" means a form of systematic learning at least one hour (60 minutes) in length including, but not limited to, academic studies, extension studies, lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, and self-study courses.
  2. (b) A "self-study course" means a form of systematic learning performed at a licensee's residence, office, or other private location including, but not limited to, viewing of videotapes, and listening to audiotapes, or participating in "self-assessment testing" (open-book tests that are completed by the licensee, submitted to the provider, graded, and returned to the licensee with correct answers and an explanation of why the answer chosen by the provider was the correct answer). A self-study course does not mean a course taken at an accredited university towards a degree.
  3. (c) A continuing professional development "provider" means an accredited institution of higher learning, a nonprofit education association, a nonprofit professional association, an individual, or other organization that offers continuing professional development courses and meets the requirements contained in this article.
  4. (d) A "renewal period" means the two-year period that spans from a license's expiration date to the license's next expiration date.
  5. (e) An "operational plan" means a detailed, written description which contains information that explains how the provider intends to conduct business, advertise its courses, provide educational services, and meet the minimum standards established in this article.
  6. (f) "Professional development" shall have the same meaning and effect as the term "continuing education" when interpreting the provisions in this Article.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (c)(1), (e), and (f), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.1. License Renewal Requirements.

  1. (a) Except as provided in Section 1399.160.2, a licensee whose license expires in the year 2001, shall certify in writing, when applying for license renewal, by signing a statement under penalty of perjury that during the preceding renewal period the licensee has completed twelve (12) hours of continuing professional development courses.
  2. (b) Except as provided in Section 1399.160.2, a licensee who holds both a speech-language pathology license and an audiology license that expire in the year 2001, shall certify in writing, when applying for license renewal, by signing a statement under penalty of perjury that during the preceding renewal period the licensee has completed eight (8) hours of continuing professional development courses for each license for a total of sixteen (16) hours.
  3. (c) Except as provided in Section 1399.160.2, a licensee shall certify in writing, when applying for license renewal, by signing a statement under penalty of perjury that during the preceding renewal period the licensee has completed twenty-four (24) hours of continuing professional development courses.
  4. (d) Except as provided in Section 1399.160.2, a licensee who holds both a speech-language pathology license and an audiology license, shall certify in writing, when applying for license renewal, by signing a statement under penalty of perjury that during the preceding renewal period the licensee has completed sixteen (16) hours of continuing professional development courses for each license for a total of thirty-two (32) hours.
  5. (e) A licensee who falsifies or makes a material misrepresentation of fact when applying for license renewal or who cannot verify the completion of the continuing professional development requirement by producing a record of course completion, upon request by the board, is subject to disciplinary action under Section 2533(e) of the Code.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 2532.6(b), (c), (d), and 2533.(e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.2. Exemptions from Continuing Professional Development.

  1. (a) An initial licensee shall complete at least twelve (12) hours of continuing professional development, of which no more than four (4) hours may be earned through the following activities prior to his or her first license renewal:
    1. (1) No more than (2) hours of self-study activities,
    2. (2) No more than (2) hours from courses related to the discipline of speech-language pathology or audiology as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(4), or in indirect client care courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(3).
  2. (b) A licensee is exempt from the continuing professional development requirement if his or her license is inactive pursuant to Sections 703 and 704 of the Code.
  3. (c) A licensee may submit a written request for exemption from the continuing professional development requirement for any of the reasons listed below. The board will notify the licensee, within thirty (30) working days after receipt of the request for exemption, whether the exemption was granted. If the request for exemption is denied, the licensee is responsible for completing the full amount of continuing professional development required for license renewal. The board shall grant the exemption if the licensee can provide evidence, satisfactory to the board, that:
    1. (1) For at least one year during the licensee's previous license renewal period the licensee was absent from California due to military service;
    2. (2) For at least one year during the licensee's previous license renewal period the licensee resided in another country; or
    3. (3) During the licensee's previous renewal period, the licensee or an immediate family member, where the licensee has primary responsibility for the care of that family member, was suffering from or suffered a disability. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual. The disability shall be verified by a licensed physician or psychologist with special expertise in the area of disability. Verification of the disability shall include:
      1. (A) the nature and extent of the disability;
      2. (B) an explanation of how the disability hinders the licensee from completing the continuing professional development requirement; and
      3. (C) the name, title, address, telephone number, professional license or certification number, and original signature of the licensed physician or psychologist verifying the disability.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(d), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.3. Continuing Professional Development Requirements.

  1. (a) A licensee, whose license expires in the year 2001, shall accrue at least twelve (12) hours of continuing professional development courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4. A licensee may accrue no more than four (4) hours of continuing professional development courses through self-study courses during this renewal period.
  2. (b) A licensee who holds both a speech-language pathology license and an audiology license that expire in the year 2001, shall accrue at least eight (8) hours of continuing professional development courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4. for each license. A licensee may accrue no more than two (2) hours of continuing professional development courses through self-study courses for each license.
  3. (c) A licensee shall accrue at least twenty-four (24) hours during a single renewal period of continuing professional development courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4. A licensee may accrue no more than eight (8) hours of continuing professional development courses through the following activities during a single renewal period. :
    1. (1) No more than four (4) hours of self-study activities,
    2. (2) No more than four (4) hours from courses related to the discipline of speech-language pathology or audiology, as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(4) or in indirect client care courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(3).
    3. (3) Not more than 50% of the continuing professional development hours required of a licensed audiologist, shall be obtained from courses where the content focuses on equipment, devices, or other products of a particular publisher, company or corporation.
  4. (d) A licensee who holds both a speech-language pathology license and an audiology license, shall accrue at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing professional development courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4 for each license. A licensee may accrue no more than five (5) hours of continuing professional development through the following activities for each license:
    1. (1) No more than two and one-half (2.5) hours of self-study activities,
    2. (2) No more than two and one-half (2.5) hours from courses related to the discipline of speech-language pathology or audiology, as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(4) or in indirect client care courses as defined in Section 1399.160.4(c)(3).
  5. (e) If a licensee teaches a course offered by a provider registered with the board or an entity listed in Section 2532.6 of the Code, the licensee may claim credit for the same course only once, receiving the same amount of hours of continuing professional development credit as a licensee who attended the course.
  6. (f) A licensee may not claim credit for the same course more than once for hours of continuing professional development.
  7. (g) A licensee who takes a course as a condition of probation resulting from disciplinary action by the board may not apply the course as credit towards the continuing professional development.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (c), and (e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.4. Continuing Professional Development Course Content.

  1. (a) A licensed speech-language pathologists shall determine that the content and learning outcomes of a course are relevant to the practice of speech-language pathology as defined in Section 2530.2(d).
  2. (b) A licensed audiologist shall determine that the content and learning outcomes of a course are relevant to the practice of audiology as defined in Section 2530.2(k).
  3. (c) The content of a course shall pertain to direct, related, or indirect patient/client care.
    1. (1) Examples of direct patient/client care courses for the practice of speech-language pathology include: fluency disorders, voice disorders, motor disorders of speech, dysphagia, speech science, oral and written language disorders, aphasia and neurogenic disorders of language and cognition, augmentative and alternative communication, phonological/articulatory disorders language science, and patient/client counseling to facilitate recovery from, or adjustment to, a communication disorder.
    2. (2) Examples of direct patient/client care courses for the practice of audiology include auditory and vestibular assessment, auditory habilitation/rehabilitation, hearing assistive technology, industrial audiology/hearing conservation and hearing science.
    3. (3)Indirect patient/client care courses cover pragmatic aspects of speech-language pathology or audiology practice (e.g., legal or ethical issues, consultation, record-keeping, office management, managed care issues, research obligations, supervision training, technological applications related to assessment/diagnosis or intervention).
    4. (4) Courses that are related to the discipline of speech-language pathology or audiology may cover general medical or educational offerings including, but not limited to, social interaction, cultural and linguistic diversity as it applies to service delivery for diverse populations, professional service delivery models, interdisciplinary case management issues, or medical pathologies related to neurological disorders that also result in communication difficulties.
  4. (d) A provider shall ensure that a course has specific objectives that are measurable.
  5. (e) Upon completion of a course, a licensee shall evaluate the course through some type of evaluation mechanism.
  6. (f) Courses considered outside the scope of continuing professional development include, but are not limited to, those in the following areas:
    1. (1) money management, the licensee's personal finances or personal business matters;
    2. (2) general physical fitness or the licensee's personal health;
    3. (3) presentations by political or public figures or other persons that do not deal primarily with the practice of either speech-language pathology or audiology;
    4. (4) tort liability;
    5. (5) courses that address increased office production or computerization, financial planning, employee benefits, marketing or motivational topics to increase productivity or profitability; and
    6. (6) courses in which the primary beneficiary is the licensee, not the consumer.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (c), and (e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.5. Hours of Continuing Professional Development.

  1. (a) One hour of instruction is equal to one hour of continuing professional development credit.
  2. (b) One academic quarter unit is equal to ten (10) hours of continuing professional development credit.
  3. (c) One academic semester unit is equal to fifteen (15) hours of continuing professional development credit.
  4. (d) One academic trimester unit is equal to thirteen (13) hours of continuing professional development credit.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), and (c), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.6. Continuing Professional Development Course Approval.

  1. (a) A licensee shall only be credited with continuing professional development hours if he or she takes a course from a board-approved provider with a valid, current approval as a provider or from an entity listed in Section 2532.6 (e)(1) of the Code.
  2. (b) A licensee or a continuing professional development provider may voluntarily petition Board consideration of any courses offered by an approved provider or an entity listed in Section 2532.6 (e)(1) of the Code. The licensee or continuing professional development provider must submit such request for course approval to the Board according to the timeline in Section 1399.151.1 (e). Such request shall include:
    1. (1) The name of the sponsoring institution, the Board issued professional development provider number (with the exception of those entities listed in Section 2532.6(e)(1)), the address, telephone number and contact person.
    2. (2) Course title, date(s), location(s), and number of continuing professional development hours offered.
    3. (3) Type and method of educational instruction and learner outcomes to be met.
    4. (4) A course outline, course description, and instructor information and qualifications.
    5. (5) If available, advertisements intended to be used by the provider to advertise the relevant course.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (e)(1) and (e) (2), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.7. Board-Approved Providers.

  1. (a) A continuing professional development provider shall meet the board's course content and instructor qualifications criteria, as provided under this article, to qualify to become a board-approved provider.
  2. (b) An applicant for continuing professional development provider shall submit a completed Continuing Professional Development Provider Application (form no. 77A-50, new 1/99), hereby incorporated by reference, remit the appropriate fees, submit a complete operational plan, and obtain a continuing professional provider number from the board to become a board-approved provider.
  3. (c) A provider approval issued under this section shall expire twenty-four months after the approval issue date. To renew an unexpired provider approval, the provider shall, on or before the expiration date of the approval, pay the biennial renewal fee set forth in Section 1399.157 of these regulations.
  4. (d) A provider approval that is not renewed by the expiration date may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter, but the provider may apply for a new approval.
  5. (e) Board-approved provider status is not transferable.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(e)(1) and (e)(2), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.8. Revocation and Denial of Board-Approved Provider Status.

  1. (a) The board may revoke its approval of a provider or deny a provider application for good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    1. (1) a provider is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense substantially related to the activities of a board-approved provider;
    2. (2) a provider, who is a licensee of the board, fails to comply with any provisions of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (Business and Professions Code Section 2530 et seq.) or Title 16, Division 13.4 of the California Code of Regulations (Sections 1399.150 et seq.); or
    3. (3) a provider makes a material misrepresentation of fact in information submitted to the board.
    4. (4) a provider fails to comply with any provisions of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Licensure Act (Business and Professions Code Section 2530 et seq.) or Title 16, Division 13.4 of the California Code of Regulations (Sections 1399.150 et seq.) applicable to continuing professional development providers.
  2. (b) After a thorough case review, should the board decide to revoke or deny its approval of a provider, it shall give the provider written notice setting forth its reasons for revocation or denial. The provider may appeal the revocation or denial in writing, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the revocation or denial notice, and request a hearing with the board's designee. The revocation is stayed at this point. Should the board's designee decide to uphold the revocation or denial, the provider may appeal the decision of the board's designee in writing, within seven (7) days after receipt of the decision of the board's designee, and request a hearing with a continuing education appeals committee appointed by the board chairperson. The hearing will take place at the next regularly scheduled board meeting, provided the appeal is received before the meeting is noticed to the public. It is at the discretion of the board's designee whether to stay the revocation further.
    The continuing professional development appeals committee shall contain three board members, one public board member and two members representing both license types regulated by the board. The decision of the continuing professional development appeals committee is final.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.9. Course Advertisement.

A provider shall ensure that information publicizing a continuing professional development course is accurate and includes the following:

  1. (a) the provider's name;
  2. (b) the provider's approval number from the board;
  3. (c) the statement "Course meets the qualifications for ______ hours of continuing professional development credit for (Speech-Language Pathologists or Audiologists as the case may be) as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board";
  4. (d) the provider's policy on refunds in cases of non-attendance by the registrant or cancellation by the provider;
  5. (e) a clear, concise description of the course content and learning outcomes;
  6. (f) a statement describing the level of the course content; and
  7. (g) a personal disclosure statement if either the instructor or provider has a personal financial interest in the course content

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.10. Course Instructor Qualifications.

A provider shall ensure that an instructor teaching a course has at least two of the following minimum qualifications:

  1. (a) a license, registration, or certificate in an area related to the subject matter of the course. The license, registration, or certificate shall be current, valid, and free from restrictions due to disciplinary action by this board or any other health care regulatory agency;
  2. (b) a valid, current certification in the subject area issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology;
  3. (c) training, certification, or experience in teaching courses in the subject matter; or
  4. (d) at least two years' experience in an area related to the subject matter of the course.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.11. Records of Course Completion.

Upon completion of a course, a provider shall issue a record of course completion to a licensee (e.g., letters of verification of attendance, certificates, gradeslips, transcripts) containing the following information:

  1. (a) name of licensee and licensee's license number;
  2. (b) course title;
  3. (c) provider name and address;
  4. (d) provider approval number;
  5. (e) date of course;
  6. (f) number of hours of continuing professional development credit; and
  7. (g) signature of course instructor, provider, or provider designee.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (c), and (e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.12. Licensee and Provider Course Records.

  1. (a) A licensee shall maintain records of course completion for a period of at least two (2) years from the date of license renewal for which the course was completed.
  2. (b) A provider shall maintain records related to continuing professional development courses for a period of at least four (4) years. Records shall include:
    1. (1) syllabi for all courses;
    2. (2) the time and location of all courses;
    3. (3) course advertisements;
    4. (4) course instructors' vitaes or resumes;
    5. (5) attendance rosters with the names and license numbers of licensees who attended the courses;
    6. (6) sign-in sheets; and
    7. (7) records of course completion issued to licensees who attended the courses.
  3. (c) The board may audit the course records of a licensee or a provider to ensure compliance with the board's continuing professional development requirements.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(b), (c), and (e), Business and Professions Code.

1399.160.13. Continuing Professional Development for Out-of-State Applicants.

Applicants for initial licensure who are licensed in another state and apply for licensure in this state are not required to complete any California continuing professional development hours until their first renewal.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 2531.95 and 2532.6(a), Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2532.6(d), Business and Professions Code.