Section 12.54.410. Physical therapy continuing education requirements.

	(a)  Except as provided in 12 AAC 54.435, an applicant for renewal of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant license who has been licensed for 12 months or more of the concluding licensing period shall have completed during that period 24 contact hours of continuing education. An applicant for renewal of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant license who has been licensed for less than 12 months of the concluding licensing period shall have  
		(1) completed during that period 12 contact hours of continuing education; or  
		(2) passed the national physical therapy examination within 12 months immediately before the date that the applicant's license is due to lapse.  
	(b)  An applicant shall complete at least one-half of the required contact hours in courses or programs offered by an accredited academic institution or a professional organization approved by the board under 12 AAC 54.420(a).  
	(c)  For the purposes of this section,  
		(1) one "contact hour" equals a minimum of 50 minutes of instruction;  
		(2) one continuing education unit awarded by a professional health care association equals 10 contact hours;  
		(3) one academic semester credit hour equals 15 contact hours; and  
		(4) one academic quarter credit hour equals 10 contact hours.  
	(d)  An applicant for renewal is responsible for maintaining adequate and detailed records of all continuing education contact hours claimed and shall make the records available to the board upon request under 12 AAC 54.430. Records must be retained for three years from the date the contact hours were obtained.  
	(e)  The following activities will not be accepted for continuing education contact hours under this section:  
		(1) routine staff meetings attended by the applicant;  
		(2) rounds conducted by the applicant;  
		(3) routine courses required for employment, including courses on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and training related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements.  

Authorities

08.84.010;08.84.100

Notes

Reference

12 AAC 54.400
12 AAC 54.405
12 AAC 54.430
12 AAC 54.435

Authority

AS 08.84.010 AS 08.84.100

History

Eff. 6/3/89, Register 110; am 9/26/91, Register 119; am 5/21/97, Register 142; am 8/19/2004, Register 171; am 4/24/2009, Register 190; am 8/18/2013, Register 207