1. (a) The Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques shall not renew the license of any licensee unless the licensee presents to the board evidence of attendance at a board-approved educational session or sessions of not less than twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education within the previous biennial period, which shall include a CPR course for healthcare professionals, to be considered as two (2) hours of the required twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Approved continuing education courses may not be retaken for credit in consecutive biennial periods.
   2. (2) Proof of teaching courses related to acupuncture or related techniques may be applied to a maximum of four (4) hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the board.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The board may accept hours from board-approved courses or National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)-approved courses as valid continuing education hours, provided that documentation contains:

      1. (A) Provider contact information;
      2. (B) Course information, including any relevant NCCAOM reference; and
      3. (C) Official seal or signature.

   2. (2) If the course has not been approved by NCCAOM or the board for continuing education, the licensee shall submit information to the board about the course, including:

      1. (A) The person or organization sponsoring or presenting the course;
      2. (B) An outline of the subject matter covered by the course; and
      3. (C) The length of the course in hours.

   3. (3)

      1. (A) It is the board’s intention to respond to all submissions of continuing education courses for approval in a timely manner.
      2. (B) If the submission is not specifically denied in writing by the board within sixty (60) days after the postmark of the applicant’s submission, the submission shall be approved.

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Applications for approval of providers of continuing education shall be on an individual course basis.
      2. (B) Provider applicants shall be responsible for obtaining and submitting the proper information and fees to the board.

   5. (5)

      1. (A) If the board denies approval for any course or courses upon application for license renewal, the applicant shall have an additional ninety (90) days to obtain the required hours during which time the applicant can continue to practice.
      2. (B) Failure to acquire the proper hours within said ninety (90) days shall result in nonrenewal of the license.

Codification Notes: "CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation.