OAR 331-720-0010: Continuing Education Requirements for Respiratory Care

(1) To maintain licensure, a respiratory care practitioner must complete a minimum of seven hours of continuing education every year. At least 2.5 hours of the required continuing education must be related to clinical practice of respiratory care defined under ORS 688.800. (2) A license holder must document compliance with the continuing education requirement through attestation on the license renewal application. A licensee is subject to provisions of OAR 331-720-0020 pertaining to periodic audit of continuing education. (3) The subject matter of the continuing education listed in subsection (1) of this rule must be specifically related to respiratory care as outlined in ORS 688.800(5). (4) Satisfactory continuing education must be obtained by participation in or attendance at a course provided by: (a) An institution of higher education accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the State Board of Higher Education, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, American Medical Association Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, or its successor, or the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs offering an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care; or (b) The NBRC, AARC, Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association Continuing Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Nurses Association, or other professional or medical organizations or associations which conduct educational meetings, workshops, symposiums, and seminars where continuing education credit is offered and where subject matter meets the requirements under subsection (3) or (6) of this rule. (5) Continuing education may include teaching a course sponsored by a continuing education provider listed in subsection (4) of this rule and where the subject matter meets the requirements under subsection (3) of this ruleprovided that no more than half the required hours be in teaching. (6) Notwithstanding any other continuing education requirements, in order to be eligible to renew a license, an authorization holder must obtain 1 hour of continuing education in cultural competency (CCCE) every other time the authorization is subject to renewal. The requirement of this paragraph is effective on and after July 1, 2021. The CCCE must be either: (a) Approved by the Oregon Health Authority; or (b) Meet the skills requirements established by the Oregon Health Authority by rule; or (c) One of the educational institutions or organizations listed in subsection (4) of this rule which are in compliance with one of the requirements listed in subsection (7) of this rule. (7) The Board encourages completion of required CCCE from the approved list promulgated by the Oregon Health Authority, available on the Board’s website. The Board shall also accept CCCE that is not obtained from the Oregon Health Authority’s approved list, to the extent the Board determines the CCCE meets the skills requirements established by the Oregon Health authority in rules that are effective at the time the CCCE is obtained. (8) Section (6) does not apply to authorization holders who are: (a) Retired and not practicing the profession in any state; (b) Not practicing the profession in this state; or (c) Residing in this state, but not practicing in the profession in any state. (9) Obtaining and maintaining proof of participation in required continuing education is the responsibility of the licensee. The licensee must ensure that adequate proof of attainment of required continuing education is available for audit or investigation or when otherwise requested by the agency. Adequate proof of participation is listed under OAR 331-720-0020(3). (10) Documentation of participation in continuing education requirements must be maintained for a period of two years following renewal and must be available to the agency upon request. (11) For the purpose of this rule continuing education hours mean actual academic, classroom, or course work time, including but not limited to workshops, symposiums, or seminars. Continuing education hours do not include travel time to or from the training site, registration or check-in periods, breaks or lunch periods.