22 Tex. Admin. Code § 73.3 – Continuing Education

(a) Condition of Renewal. A licensee is required to attend continuing education courses as a condition of renewal of a license.
(b) Requirements.
1. (1) Every licensee shall attend and complete 16 hours of continuing education each year unless a licensee is exempted under subsection (d) of this section. Each licensee's reporting year shall begin on the first day of the month in which his or her birthday occurs.
2. (2) The 16 hours of continuing education may be completed at any course or seminar elected by the licensee, which has been approved under §73.7 of this title (relating to Approved Continuing Education Courses). However, a licensee must attend any course designated as a "TBCE Required Course," and the course may be counted as part of the 16 hour requirement. A licensee who serves as an examiner for the National Boards Part IV Examination may receive credit for this activity, not to exceed two hours each year. No more than four hours of credit may be obtained through online courses.
3. (3) A list of approved courses, including TBCE Required Courses, is available on the board's website, www.tbce.state.tx.us, as provided in §73.7(f). The board will also provide notice of a TBCE Required Course in its newsletter.
4. (4) The two hours of continuing education to be presented by the board will be given at the following seminars:
  1. (A) Texas Chiropractic Association - Midwinter;
  2. (B) Texas Chiropractic Association Convention;
  3. (C) Chiropractic Society of Texas Annual Convention;
  4. (D) Parker College of Chiropractic Homecoming;
  5. (E) Texas Chiropractic College Homecoming;
  6. (F) Online at www.tbce.state.tx.us;
  7. (G) TBCE Headquarters in Austin, TX (check website for details)
5. (5) A licensee who is unable to travel for the purpose of attending a continuing education course or seminar due to a mental or physical illness or disability may satisfy the board's continuing education requirements by listening to audio or viewing video taped courses approved by the Board, or taking approved online courses. In order for an audio or video tape or an online course to be accepted by the board, a licensee must submit a letter from a licensed chiropractor or physician, who is not associated with the licensee in any manner. In the letter, the chiropractor or other doctor must state the nature of the illness or disability and certify that the licensee was ill or disabled, and unable to travel for the purpose of obtaining continuing education hours due to the illness or disability. A licensee is required to submit a new certificate for each year an exemption is sought. An untrue certification submitted to the board shall subject the licensee to disciplinary action as authorized by the Chiropractic Act, Occupations Code §§201.501 and .502. The four hour limit provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section for online courses does not apply to a licensee who submits a certification under this subsection.
(c) Verification.
1. (1) At the request of the Board, a licensee shall submit, to the board, written verification from each sponsor, of the licensee's attendance at and completion of each continuing education course which is used in the fulfillment of the required hours for all years requested.
2. (2) A licensee submitting hours as a National Boards examiner must submit written verification of the licensee's participation from the National Boards, on National Boards letterhead. The verification must include the licensee's name, board license number, and the date, time, and place of each examination attended by the licensee as an examiner.
3. (3) Failure to submit verification as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered the same as failing to meet the continuing education requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Qualifying exemption. The following persons are exempt from the requirements of subsection (b) of this section:
1. (1) a licensee who holds an inactive Texas license. However, if at any time during the reporting year for which such exemption applies such person desires to practice chiropractic, such person shall not be entitled to practice chiropractic in Texas until all required hours of continuing education credits are obtained and the executive director has been notified of completion of such continuing education requirements;
2. (2) a licensee who served in the regular armed forces of the United States during part of the 12 months immediately preceding the annual license renewal date;
3. (3) a licensee who submits proof satisfactory to the board that the licensee suffered a mental or physical illness or disability which prevented the licensee from complying with the requirements of this section during the 12 months immediately preceding the annual license renewal date; or
4. (4) a licensee who is first licensed within the 12 months immediately preceding the annual renewal date.

Source Note:The provisions of this §73.3 adopted to be effective April 8, 1996, 21 TexReg 2537; amended to be effective October 22, 1997, 22 TexReg 10315; amended to be effective December 8, 1997, 22 TexReg 12050; amended to be effective August 2, 1998, 23 TexReg 7558; amended to be effective February 20, 2000, 25 TexReg 1101; amended to be effective February 7, 2001, 26 TexReg 1139; amended to be effective February 3, 2002, 27 TexReg 608; amended to be effective November 30, 2003, 28 TexReg 10476; amended to be effective March 28, 2004, 29 TexReg 2882.