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| Reporting Period Now Two Years |
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Continuing education reporting period extended to align with new two-year licensing period: Two Years 15 hours
If your license expires in 2008 and your current continuing education (CE) reporting period ends in 2009, you will have a one-year extended reporting period to 2010. Upon renewal of your two-year license in 2010, you will attest to completing 22 CE hours (15 hours for the original CE reporting period ending in 2009 and 7 hours for 2010).
If your license expires in 2009 and your current CE reporting period ends in 2010, you will have a one-year extended reporting period to 2011. Upon renewal of your two-year license in 2011, you will attest to completing 22 CE hours (15 hours for the original CE reporting period ending in 2010 and 7 hours for 2011).
If your CE reporting period does not need adjustments you will complete your current reporting period and attest to 15 hours. Their next reporting cycle will be two years and 15 hours.
The extension is designed to align the CE reporting period with the new two-year licensing period effective October 1, 2008, for all OHLA-regulated professions.
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| 15 Hours Every Two Years |
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Continuing education is required as a condition of licensure to ensure continuing efforts on the part of Oregon licensed respiratory care practitioners to remain current with new developments in the respiratory therapy and health care field and to encourage diversified training and qualifications in the profession.
To maintain licensure, respiratory therapists must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years, whether the license is active or inactive. At least two-thirds of the required continuing education hours shall be related to the clinical practice of respiratory care under ORS 688.800 through 688.840. The following are examples of acceptable subject matter:
“Respiratory care services” means cardiopulmonary care services rendered in accordance with the prescription of a licensed physician and includes, but is not limited to, the diagnostic and therapeutic use of the following:
- Environmental control mechanisms and hyperbaric therapy;
- Pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures;
- Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support;
- Bronchopulmonary hygiene;
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
- Maintenance of the natural airway;
- Maintenance of artificial airways;
- Specific diagnostic and testing techniques employed in the medical management of patients to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and research of pulmonary abnormalities, including measurements of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows, collection of specimens of blood and blood gases, expired and inspired gas samples, respiratory secretions and pulmonary function testing; and
- Hemodynamic and other related physiologic measurements of the cardiopulmonary system.
Respiratory care practitioners who instruct continuing education courses may obtain the same number of continuing education hours for each initial course taught during the biennium, in which the course is initially presented, as granted to course participants.
Practitioners shall be awarded continuing education credit once for completion of the initial certification course for Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Up to four hours of continuing education credit may be obtained for each re-certification in ACLS, PALS, or NRP courses.
Continuing education credit will not be granted for completion of the Basic Life Support (BLS) course.
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| Providers and Pathways |
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Continuing education is acceptable if provided by:
- A medical organization or association accredited by the Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association Continuing Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and its affiliates, to provide continuing education to physicians, nurses, or respiratory care practitioners
- A hospital not accredited to provide continuing education but the continuing education provided meets the following requirements:
(A) The content of the course or program shall be relevant to the scope of practice of respiratory care
(B) The faculty shall be knowledgeable in the subject matter as evidenced by a degree from an accredited college or university and verifiable experience in the subject matter or teaching and clinical experience in the same or similar subject matter
(C) Educational objectives shall be listed
(D) The teaching methods shall be described, e.g., lecture, seminar, audiovisual, simulation
(E) Evaluation methods shall document that the objectives have been met
- An institution of higher education accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools or its successor, or the State Board of Higher Education, providing the course(s) meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection. Five hours of continuing education credit per course, and up to two-thirds of the continuing education requirement, can be obtained by successfully completing the course(s) with a grade "C" or above, or a "pass" for a pass/fail course
- A respiratory care educational program accredited by the 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
The National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), through passing the examination for initial certification as an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), or Perinatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (PPRCS), or the NBRC through passing the re-credentialing examination for a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), RRT, or PPRCS. Fifteen hours of continuing education can be obtained by passing these certification and re-credentialing examinations
- The NBRC, through passing the examination for initial certification as a Certified Pulmonary Function Technician (CPFT), or Registered Pulmonary function Technician (RFPT). Seven and one-half hours of continuing education can be obtained by passing these certification examinations
- Publication in a peer reviewed journal as the author or co-author of a clinical paper or abstract. A total of five credit hours will be accepted per biennium for the publication of articles or abstracts in professional journals
- An established and approved organization conducting humanitarian activities in another state or country, that is providing respiratory care services. The organization and services are subject to approval on a case-by-case basis for continuing education credit.
- Continuing education includes attendance or participation at an instructional program presented, recognized, or under the auspices of any approved permanently organized institution or professional organization or association.
- Attendance at lectures, post-secondary school or postgraduate courses, scientific sessions at conventions, courses offered by an approved association or licensed/accredited school, classes or courses offered through an institution such as the American Red Cross, hospitals, health care clinics, correspondence courses or internet courses.
- Continuing education relating to subject matter listed above may be also be obtained through research or teaching (provided that no more than half the required hours be in teaching).
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| Get Your Course Approved |
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To obtain pre-approval of continuing education courses or programs please submit the following information and documentation:
- Name of sponsoring institution/association or organization
- Title of presentation and description of content
- Name of instructor or presenter
- Date of attendance and duration in hours (various dates and locations allowed)
- Course agenda
After continuing education offerings have been reviewed and approved, OHLA sends an approval letter that indicates the number of continuing education hours approved. The course is then posted to the OHLA Web site as a resource for licensees.
After programs have been reviewed and approved, OHLA sends an approval letter which includes the official transcript for verification of student completion of the curriculum and an authorized representative form. The authorized representative form must be returned and include a list of representatives who are authorized couriers / signers of official transcripts.
Fast Facts About Getting Courses Approved (PDF)
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| Self-Attestation, Audits |
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Licensees must attest, or declare, they have met continuing education requirements upon license renewal and are subject to periodic audits specified in OAR 331-720-0020.
Applicants for license renewal must submit the completed renewal form, with their signature affixed as attestation to completion of required continuing education hours. Documentation of continuing education hours earned must be provided to the agency only when selected for audit.
OHLA will audit a select percentage of licenses with continuing education requirements. Practitioners notified of selection for audit of continuing education attestation must submit to the agency, within 30 calendar days from the date of notification, satisfactory evidence of participation in required continuing education
Documentation of a certificate of completion of attendance at a program or course provided by the sponsor must include:
- Name of sponsoring institution/association or organization
- Title of presentation and description of content
- Name of instructor or presenter
- Date of attendance and duration in hours
- Course agenda
- Official transcript, diploma, certificate, statement or affidavit from the sponsor, attesting to attendance
Documentation verifying completion of all required continuing education shall be accumulated and held by the denturists for two-years following any reporting period, or until notification of audit is received. Continuing education documentation must be available and provided to the agency upon request.
If documentation of continuing education is invalid or incomplete, the licensee must correct the deficiency within 30 calendar days from the date of notice. Failure to correct the deficiency within the prescribed time shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
Misrepresentation of continuing education, or failing to meet continuing education requirements or documentation may result in disciplinary action, which may include but is not limited to assessment of a civil penalty and suspension or revocation of the license.
Fast Facts about Attestation and Audits (PDF)
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| Additional Requirements |
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- Continuing education requirements apply whether the renewal applicant is living or working within Oregon or outside of the state so long as Oregon licensure is maintained.
- A person who does not meet continuing education requirements must reapply and meet requirements for licensure according to OAR 331-710-0010 at the time of application.
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