1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), individuals applying to the Board for a license or registration shall complete at least 3 hours of training in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements which has been approved by the Department of Human Services and the Bureau, as set forth in § 27.809 (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting course approval process). The following apply:

   1. (1) The applicant shall certify on the application that the applicant has either completed the required training or has been granted an exemption under subsection (c).
   2. (2) The Board will not issue a license or registration unless the Bureau has received an electronic report from an approved course provider documenting the attendance or participation by the applicant or the applicant has obtained an exemption under subsection (c).

2. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), licensees seeking renewal of a license or registration issued by the Board shall complete, as a condition of biennial renewal of the license, at least 2 hours of approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. For credit to be granted, the continuing education course or program must be approved by the Bureau, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, as set forth in § 27.809. The following apply:

   1. (1) These hours of continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting will be accepted as a portion of the hours of continuing education required under § 27.32 (relating to continuing education).
   2. (2) The Board will not renew a license or registration unless the Bureau has received an electronic report from an approved course provider documenting the attendance/participation by the licensee or registrant in an approved course or has obtained an exemption under subsection (c).
   3. (3) If a licensee or registrant also holds a license, registration, certificate or permit issued by another licensing board within the Bureau that requires mandatory training in child abuse recognition and reporting, credit for completion of an approved course will be applied to both licenses.

3. (c) An applicant, licensee or registrant may apply in writing for an exemption from the training/continuing education requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) provided the applicant, licensee or registrant meets one of the following:

   1. (1) The applicant, licensee or registrant submits documentation demonstrating that:

      1. (i) The applicant, licensee or registrant has already completed child abuse recognition training as required under section 1205.6 of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.S. § 12-1205.6).
      2. (ii) The training was approved by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Human Services.
      3. (iii) The amount of training received equals or exceeds the amount of training or continuing education required under subsection (a) or (b), as applicable.

   2. (2) The applicant, licensee or registrant submits documentation demonstrating that:

      1. (i) The applicant, licensee or registrant has already completed child abuse recognition training required under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(c) (relating to education and training).
      2. (ii) The training was approved by the Department of Human Services.
      3. (iii) The amount of training received equals or exceeds the amount of training or continuing education required under subsection (a) or (b), as applicable.

   3. (3) The applicant, licensee or registrant submits documentation demonstrating that the applicant or licensee should not be subject to the training or continuing education requirement. Each request for an exemption under this paragraph will be considered on a case-by-case basis as follows:

      1. (i) The Board will not grant an exemption based solely upon proof that children are not a part of the applicant’s, licensee’s or registrant’s practice.
      2. (ii) The Board may grant the exemption if it finds that completion of the training or continuing education re-quirement is duplicative or unnecessary under the circumstances.
4. (d) Exemptions granted under subsection (c) are applicable only for the biennial renewal period for which the exemption is requested.
5. (e) If an exemption is granted, the Board will issue or renew the license or registration, as applicable. If an exemption is denied, the Board will email the applicant, licensee or registrant a discrepancy notice notifying them of the need to either complete an approved course or, if warranted, to submit additional documentation in support of their request for an exemption.

Authority

The provisions of this § 27.808 added under section 6(k)(1) and (9) of the Pharmacy Act (63 P.S. § 390-6(k)(1) and (9)); section 202 of the Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 62); and 23 Pa.C.S. § § 6311 and 6383(b)(2).

Source

The provisions of this § 27.808 added November 28, 2025, effective November 29, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 8079.

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 27.21 (relating to application for examination and licensure); 49 Pa. Code § 27.25 (relating to licensure by reciprocity); 49 Pa. Code § 27.26 (relating to pharmacy internship; 49 Pa. Code § 27.31 (relating to biennial renewal); 49 Pa. Code § 27.32 (relating to continuing education); and 49 Pa. Code § 27.801 (relating to definitions relating to child abuse reporting requirements).