(b) Declaration of compliance.

1. (1) Each MA-C shall declare his or her compliance with the requirements for continuing education at the time of certification renewal or reactivation.
2. (2) The declaration shall be made on the form supplied by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(c) Requirements.

1. (1) An MA-C who holds an active certificate shall document completion of eight (8) contact hours of continuing education approved by the board during each renewal period.
2. (2) Expired certifications have no requirements for continuing education.

3. (3) Certification reactivation within two (2) years or less shall require documented completion of the following:

   1. (A) Ten (10) contact hours of continuing education related to medication administration within the past two (2) years approved by the board; and
   2. (B) Provide other evidence as requested by the board.

4. (4) Certification reactivation greater than two (2) years, but less than five (5) years, shall require documented completion of the following:

   1. (A) Ten (10) contact hours of continuing education related to medication administration within the past two (2) years approved by the board, or a medication-related academic course; and
   2. (B) Provide other evidence as requested by the board.
5. (5) Continuing education hours beyond the required contact hours shall not be carried over to the next renewal period.

(d) Responsibilities of the individual certified.

1. (1) It shall be the responsibility of each MA-C to select and participate in those continuing education activities that will meet the criteria.

2. (2) It shall be the MA-C’s responsibility to:

   1. (A) Maintain records of continuing education as well as documented proof such as original:

(i) Certificates of attendance;

1. (ii) Contact hour certificates;

   1. (iii) Academic transcripts; or

      1. (iv) Grade slips; and
   2. (B) Submit copies of this evidence when requested by the board.

2. (3) Records shall be maintained by the MA-C for a minimum of:

   1. (A) Two (2) consecutive renewal periods; or
   2. (B) Four (4) years.

(e) Recognition of providers.

1. (1) The board shall approve all continuing education programs for the medication assistant-certified.
2. (2) The board shall work with the professional organizations, approved schools, and other providers of continuing educational programs to ensure that continuing education activities are available to MA-Cs.

(f) Activities acceptable for continuing education.

1. (1) The educational activity shall be at least one (1) contact hour in length.

2. (2) The content shall:

   1. (A) Be medication related;
   2. (B) Be relevant to the MA-C scope of work; and
   3. (C) Provide for educational growth.
3. (3) If participation is in an academic course or other program in which grades are given, a grade equivalent of “C” or better shall be required, or “pass” on a pass/fail grading system.

(g) Activities that are not acceptable as continuing education.

1. (1)

   1. (A) In-service programs.
   2. (B) Activities intended to assist the MA-C to acquire, maintain, and/or increase the competence in fulfilling the assigned responsibilities specific to the expectations of the employer.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Orientation programs.
   2. (B) A program by which new staff are introduced to the philosophy, goals, policies, procedures, role expectations, physical facilities, and special services in a specific work setting.
   3. (C) Orientation is provided at the time of employment and at other times when changes in roles and responsibilities occur in a specific work setting.
3. (3) Courses designed for lay people.

(h) Individual review of a continuing education activity provided by a nonrecognized agency/organization.

1. (1) An MA-C may request an individual review by:

   1. (A) Submitting an Application for Individual Review; and
   2. (B) Paying a fee.

2. (2) Approval of a nonrecognized continuing educational activity shall be limited to the specific event under consideration.

   1. (i) Audits.
3. (1) The board may perform random audits of MA-Cs for compliance with the continuing education requirement.
4. (2) If audited, the MA-C shall prove completion of the required continuing education during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the renewal date, presenting photocopies of original certificates of completion to the board.
5. (3) The MA-C shall provide evidence of continuing education requirements within thirty (30) calendar days from the mailing date of the audit notification letter sent from the board to the last known address of the certified.
6. (4) Certificate holders may be subject to disciplinary action by the board if noncompliant with the audit.

(j) Failure to comply.

1. (1) Any MA-C who fails to complete continuing education or who falsely certifies completion of continuing education shall be subject to disciplinary action, nonrenewal of the certificate, or both, pursuant to Arkansas Code § 17-87-706 and § 17-87-707(a)(1)(A) and (a)(5).

2. (2) If the board determines that an MA-C has failed to comply with continuing education requirements, the MA-C will be:

   1. (A) Allowed to meet continuing education requirements within ninety (90) days of notification of noncompliance; and

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Assessed a late fee for each contact hour that requirements are not met after the ninety (90) day grace period and be issued a Letter of Reprimand.
      2. (ii) Failure to pay the fee may result in further disciplinary action.