Continuing Education Extensions

PURPOSE: This rule details the requirements for licensed physical therapists and/or licensed physical therapist assistants requesting an extension of time to complete the required thirty (30) hours of continuing education mandated for licensure renewal pursuant to section 334.507, RSMo Supp. 1998 and as specified in rules 4 CSR 150-3.201 and 4 CSR 150-3.203. (1) A licensee who cannot complete the required thirty (30) hours of continuing education due to personal illness or other circumstances beyond the licensee’s control which the board and advisory commission deem sufficient to impose an insurmountable hardship to such an extent as to prevent or preclude the licensee from obtaining continuing education hours, may apply for an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements specified in section 345.507, RSMo. Requests for an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements will be granted solely in the discretion of the board with recommendation from the advisory commission for physical therapists. Licensees requesting an extension of time to complete the required continuing education hours shall submit a statement requesting such extension prior to the December 31 deadline for completion. Requests for an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirement shall be accompanied with the processing fee specified in rule 20 CSR 2150-3.080. All licensees shall further provide sufficient documentation and justification for such request from the appropriate source(s) supporting the reason(s), which prevented the licensee from completing the required continuing education hours. A licensee who requests an extension of time to complete the required thirty (30) hours of continuing education hours shall not engage in active practice as a physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant until the licensee receives written authorization from the board approving the extension request and specifically authorizing the licensee to continue practicing in the interim. (A) Licensees in the military will be granted an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements if they are called to active duty under competent orders for any period of thirty (30) days or more during the reporting period in accordance with section 41.950(10), RSMo. If the licensee is called to active duty for a majority of the reporting period, they will be exempt from obtaining continuing education. The licensee must submit written documentation from the appropriate military authorities verifying the licensee’s military service commitment. (B) Illness extensions may be granted only to a licensee who has or is suffering from a personal illness and/or personal disability of a nature which prevents or prevented the licensee from engaging in active practice as a physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant for at least a majority of the reporting period. At a minimum, the licensee shall instruct their treating physician(s) to provide written documentation to the board specifying the nature of the illness or disability, the duration of the illness and/or disability and any limitations on the licensee’s activities which resulted or will result from this illness and/or disability. The licensee shall also submit written documentation and evidence as to the number of continuing education hours earned during the reporting period as well as the licensee’s plan for completing the balance of the required continuing education hours. (C) The board, solely in its discretion, with recommendation from the advisory commission for physical therapists, may grant a licensee an extension of time to complete the continuing education hours due to unforeseeable circumstances determined to be beyond the licensee’s control and justifiable as to have imposed an insurmountable hardship to such a degree as to have precluded the licensee from obtaining the required continuing education hours. At a minimum, the licensee shall submit written documentation explaining specifically and in detail the nature of the circumstance(s), why the circumstance(s) were unforeseeable and beyond the licensee’s control, and the period of time in which the circumstance(s) were in existence. This documentation shall include evidence confirming the number of continuing education hours the licensee earned in the reporting period and the licensee’s plan for completing the balance of the required continuing education. The board, solely in its discretion, with recommendation from the advisory commission for physical therapists, shall determine if the licensee’s situation constitutes unforeseeable circumstances beyond the licensee’s control to such a degree as to have imposed an insurmountable hardship preventing and/or precluding the licensee from obtaining the required continuing education hours. (2) A licensee who is granted an extension of time to complete the required continuing education hours shall complete the balance of the continuing education requirements no later than February 28 immediately following the end of the reporting period for which the extension was sought and approved by the board. The licensee shall submit written documentation evidencing completion of the required continuing education hours no later than March 10 immediately following the end of the reporting period for which the extension was approved by the board. The failure of a licensee to complete the continuing education requirements on or before February 28; or the failure of a licensee to submit documentation evidencing completion of the required continuing education hours to the board on or before March 10 shall constitute a violation of section 334.507, RSMo and this rule; and further such action may be deemed grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to the provisions of section 334.100, RSMo. (3) Violation of any provision of this rule shall constitute misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation, dishonesty, unethical conduct or unprofessional conduct in the performance of the functions or duties of a physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. AUTHORITY: sections 334.125 and 334.507, RSMo 2000 and sections 41.950 and 334.100, RSMo Supp. 2007.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 150-3.202. Original rule filed May 14, 1999, effective Dec. 30, 1999. Moved to 20 CSR 2150-3.202, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Dec. 14, 2007, effective June 30, 2008. *Original authority: 41.950, RSMo 1991, amended 2007; 334.100, RSMo 1939, amended 1945, 1959, 1963, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2004; 334.125, RSMo 1959, amended 1993, 1995; and 334.507, RSMo 1998.