1. (1) Any educational program approved for CRCE units by the AARC shall be acceptable with one contact hour assigned for each CRCE unit awarded.
2. (2) The Board or another organization recognized by the Board may approve providers of continuing education based on criteria established in Chapter 798-X-8-.03.
3. (3) The AARC or ASRC continuing education activities, which pertain to the practice of respiratory care, shall be considered prior approved, providing they meet all other requirements for contact hours.

4. (4) The following additional methods may be utilized for obtaining continuing education hours:

   1. (a) By taking and passing (with a grade of C or better) a college or university course which comprises part of the professional requirements for a formal respiratory therapy education program beyond those that were completed for the issuance of the original license, or any course that shall enhance a respiratory therapist’s professional growth and development.
   2. (b) By taking and passing training courses (either initial, renewal, or instructor courses) on advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), or neonatal resuscitation programs (NRP). No more than 12 contact hours of continuing education units of advanced life support training may be applied for renewal of license.

   3. (c) By completing a self study course, such as a course offered on the internet, which has been approved by the AARC or the Board for a specific number of continuing education hours. No more than 12 contact hours of continuing education units of self study may be applied for renewal of license.

      1. 1. Self-study is defined as a non-traditional learning activity (learner-directed, independent study) that is conducted by the learner at his or her own pace. The instructor does not interact with the learner in real time. The formats for non-traditional activities include but are not limited to studies of web-based courses, archived webinars, podcasts, videotapes, audiotapes, monographs or the content of journals listed in Index Medicus.

   4. (d) Appropriate subject matter for continuing education shall include:

      1. 1. Respiratory therapy science and practice;
      2. 2. Respiratory therapy education;
      3. 3. Research in respiratory therapy and healthcare;
      4. 4. Management, administration, and supervision in health care delivery;
      5. 5. Social, economic, political, and/or legal aspects of health care;
      6. 6. Healthcare and consumer education;
      7. 7. Courses which a respiratory therapist documents as improving job competence that are not specified on the above listed and are determined to be appropriate by the Board.

5. (5) Respiratory therapy related educational offerings as described in 798-X-8-.02(4) approved by the following organizations and their affiliates listed below will be acceptable for continuing education credit provided the courses meet minimum time requirements for contact hours as stated in 798-X-8.01(4) and provided these organizations and their affiliates maintain records documenting educational programs and rosters of licensed respiratory therapists who attended their programs. Such documentation shall be retained for three (3) years and made available to the Board upon request.

   1. (a) American Medical Association under Physician Category I
   2. (b) American Thoracic Society
   3. (c) American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
   4. (d) American Heart Association
   5. (e) American Lung Association
   6. (f) American Hospital Association
   7. (g) American Nurses Association
   8. (h) American College of Chest Physicians
   9. (i) American Society of Anesthesiologists
   10. (j) American Academy of Pediatrics
   11. (l) American College of Emergency Physicians
   12. (m) American College of Physicians
   13. (n) Other professional or educational organizations approved by the Board
   14. (o) Alabama hospitals.
   15. (p) Respiratory therapy programs accredited by CoARC.
6. (6) Successful completion of a recredentialing examination administered by the NBRC for either CRT or RRT (based on the highest credential held by the licensed respiratory therapist) shall be awarded five (5) contact hours.
7. (7) Successful completion of an advanced specialty examination administered by the NBRC shall be awarded five (5) contact hours for each examination.
8. (8) Preparation and presentation of a lecture approved for continuing education hours under these rules shall be eligible for four (4) contact hours for each contact hour of presentation for the first presentation. Subsequent presentations of the same lecture will not be awarded additional contact hours.
9. (9) Respiratory therapy programs in Alabama, accredited by CoARC or successor organization, may establish standards for clinical preceptors and award up to 4 hours of continuing education credit per renewal cycle to a licensed respiratory therapist serving as a preceptor. A minimum requirement shall be that each hour of credit shall equal 24 hours of clinical instruction/supervision of students enrolled in a respiratory therapy program. No more than 4 hours of continuing education units for preceptorship may be applied for renewal of license.

10. (10) Continuing education credit will not be allowed for the following:

    1. (a) Regular work activities, administrative staff meetings, case staffing, reporting, or similar activities.
    2. (b) Membership in, holding office in, or participating on Boards or committees, business meetings of professional organizations, or banquet speeches.
    3. (c) Independent unstructured or self-structured learning such as home study programs, except as authorized pursuant to Chapter 798-X-8-.02(4)(c).
    4. (d) Training specifically related to policies and procedures of an agency, such as universal precautions, infection control, employee orientation, or employee relations.
    5. (e) Basic CPR courses.

Author: The Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-27B-1 thru 34-27B-17.

History: New Rule: Filed May 16, 2005; refilled August 10, 2005; effective September 14, 2005. Amended: Filed October 11, 2007; effective November 15, 2007. Amended: Filed July 5, 2017; effective August 19, 2017.