Continuing Education

All Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Speech Language Pathology Assistants must comply with the following continuing education rules as a prerequisite to licensure and registration renewal. (1) Continuing Education - Hours Required (a) All Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists must complete twenty (20) hours of continuing education during the two calendar years (January 1–December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year. 1. Ten (10) hours of the twenty (20) hour requirement must have been obtained in the licensee’s area of practice (Speech Language Pathology or Audiology); and RULES FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY CHAPTER 1370-01 2. Ten (10) hours of the twenty (20) hour requirement may regard either Speech Language Pathology or Audiology. 3. For new licensees, proof of successful completion of all education and training requirements required for licensure in Tennessee, pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.04, which have been completed during the twelve (12) months preceding licensure, shall constitute continuing education credit for the initial period of licensure. (b) All Speech Language Pathology Assistants must complete a minimum of ten (10) hours of continuing education during the two (2) calendar years (January 1–December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year cycle. For new registrants, proof of successful completion of all education and training requirements required for registration in Tennessee, pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.14, which have been completed during the twelve (12) months preceding registration, shall constitute continuing education credit for the initial period of registration. (c) The Board does not pre-approve continuing education programs. It is the responsibility of the licensee or registrant, using his/her professional judgment, to determine whether or not the continuing education course is applicable and appropriate and meets the guidelines specified in this rule. Continuing education credit will not be allowed for the following 1. Regular work activities, administrative staff meetings, case staffing/reporting, etc. 2. Membership or holding office in or participation on boards or committees, or business meetings of professional organizations. 3. Independent unstructured, or self-structured, learning. 4. Training specifically related to policies and procedures of an agency. 5. Seminars, conferences or courses not directly related to Speech Language Pathology or Audiology (i.e. computers, finance, business management, etc.) or inconsistent with the requirements of subparagraph (a). (d) Persons who hold dual licenses (Speech Language Pathology and Audiology) must complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing education during the two (2) calendar years that precede the licensure renewal cycle. The hours must be distributed equally between each specialty. (e) For purposes of these Rules, one-tenth (0.1) Continuing Education Unit (CEU), as defined by ASHA and other CE course providers, is equivalent to sixty (60) minutes or one (1) hour of continuing education. (f) Multi-Media - With successful completion of a written post-experience examination to evaluate material retention, multi-media courses may be taken for continuing education credit. 1. For Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists, all of the hours required in subparagraph (a) may be granted for multi-media courses during each calendar year. 2. For Speech Language Pathology Assistants, all of the hours required in subparagraph (b) may be granted for multi-media courses during each calendar year. RULES FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY CHAPTER 1370-01 3. Multi-Media courses may include courses utilizing: (i) Group: Synchronous, live event. Instruction requires the simultaneous participation of all students and instructors in real time. Learners interact with the learning materials and the instructor at a specific location and time. Examples include but are not limited to workshops, seminars, symposium, webinar/videoconference, journal group, grand rounds, conventions, and conferences. (ii) Individual: Asynchronous. Learners choose their own instructional time frame and location and interact with the learning materials and instructor according to their own schedules. Examples include but are not limited to video recordings, correspondence courses, audio recordings, programmed study, computer-assisted learning, and reading peer review journals/newsletters. (iii) Blended: Combines elements of both group and individual learning experiences. These may be distance learning/online as well as face-to- face/in person. These courses might have prerequisite reading, videotaping/case study viewing that must be completed prior to, during, or after the face-to-face/in person portion. Examples include but are not limited to live webinar that has required reading/case study review for which the participant will earn credit for successfully completing prior to, during, or after the live segment. (iv) Independent Study: A learning event proposed by the learner and reviewed, monitored and approved by a Board approved independent study provider. (g) The Board, in cases of documented illness, disability, other undue hardship or retirement, may 1. Waive the continuing education requirements; or 2. Extend the deadline to complete continuing education requirements. (h) To be considered for a waiver of continuing education requirements, or for an extension of the deadline to complete the continuing education requirements, a licensee or registrant must request such in writing with supporting documentation before the end of the calendar year in which the continuing education requirements were not met. (2) Documentation - Proof of Compliance. (a) Each licensee and registrant must retain documentation of attendance and completion of all continuing education. If asked by the Board for inspection and/or verification purposes, the licensee or registrant must produce one (1) of the following: 1. Verification of continuing education by evidencing certificates which verify attendance at continuing education program(s); or 2. An original letter on official stationery from the continuing education’s program’s sponsor verifying the continuing education and specifying date, hours of actual attendance, program title, licensee or registrant name and number. RULES FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY CHAPTER 1370-01 (b) Each licensee and registrant on the biennial renewal form must attest to completion of the required continuing education hours and that such hours were obtained during the two (2) calendar years (January 1–December 31) that precede the licensure or registration renewal year. (c) Each licensee and registrant shall maintain, for a period of not less than four (4) years, all documentation pertaining to continuing education. (3) Violations. (a) Any licensee or registrant who falsely certifies attendance and completion of the required hours of continuing education requirements, or who does not or can not adequately substantiate completed continuing education hours with the required documentation, may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.13. 1. Prior to the institution of any disciplinary proceedings, a letter shall be issued to the last known address of the individual stating the facts or conduct which warrants the intended action. 2. The licensee or registrant has thirty (30) days from the date of notification to show compliance with all lawful requirements for the retention of the license or registration. 3. Any licensee or registrant who fails to show compliance with the required continuing education hours in response to the notice contemplated by part (3)(a)1. above may be subject to disciplinary action (4) Continuing Education for Reactivation or Reinstatement of Retired or Expired Licenses and Registrations. (a) An individual whose license or registration has been retired or has expired must complete the continuing education requirements for each year the license or registration was retired or expired as a prerequisite to reactivation or reinstatement. The number of continuing education hours to be obtained, and the modality through which the continuing education hours may be obtained, shall be in accordance with the continuing education rules in place at the time the application for reactivation or reinstatement is submitted. The number of continuing education hours required for reactivation or reinstatement shall not exceed 100 hours. The continuing education hours obtained will be considered replacement hours and cannot be counted during the next licensure or registration renewal period.