070.00.01 Ark. Code R. § 013 - 02-06-0003 - Implementation of Pharmacy Continuing Education

A. The Board of Pharmacy adopts the accreditation guidelines set out by the Arkansas Tripartite Committee on Continuing Pharmacy Education for establishment of acceptable continuing education.

B. Fifteen (15) hours of Continuing education, obtained in 2001, are required for an original pharmacist license or renewal of a pharmacist's license for the biennium 2002-2003. The following requirements must be met for licensure in that period.

1. 15 hours of C.E. each calendar year.

2. A minimum of nine (9) of the fifteen (15) C.E. hours must be live contact hours as defined by the Committee. A minimum of six (6) of the nine (9) live contact hours must be concerning drug therapy or patient management. No more than six (6) hours of Continuing Education in any year-may be obtained by attending any government Board Meeting; attending any Association Board Meeting; or answering questions from periodicals, audiotapes, videotapes, cable television, computer assisted instruction, or monographs.

C. Beginning with the 2002-2003 biennium-for licensure in the 2004-2005 biennium, and in all future two year periods, the requirements for continuing education will be as follows:

1. 30 hours of C.E. each biennium, as approved by the Arkansas Tripartite Committee on Continuing Education.

2. A minimum of twelve (12) C.E. hours, of the thirty (30) required hours, must be live contact hours as defined by the Committee. The live hours must be concerning drug therapy or patient care.

D. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will accept C.E. credits, approved by State Boards of Pharmacy in other states, toward licensure as a pharmacist in Arkansas provided that there is a reciprocal arrangement and that the requirements of III.B. are met.

E. Pharmacists are required to retain certificates of participation in Continuing Education for a period of four years and to certify completion of the required C.E., on a form furnished by the Board of Pharmacy with the license renewal forms. The pharmacist must present certificates of participation to any representative of the Board of Pharmacy if requested to do so.

F. Pharmacists who wish to retain their license, but do not want to meet the Continuing Education requirements, may go on inactive pharmacist status for an indefinite period. To reestablish active status and return to practice in Arkansas, a pharmacist must acquire half of the continuing education hours missed plus the continuing education hours for the current licensure period up to 60 hours. If the pharmacist has been on inactive status with regard to C.E. for two (2) calendar years or more and has not been actively practicing pharmacy in another state, said pharmacist shall also comply with all requirements in Regulation 02-00-0004. (Revised

G. Credentials obtained for Disease State Management or certifications awarded by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties, during any biennium, will satisfy continuing education requirements for that biennium, subject to approval by the Arkansas Tripartite Committee on Continuing Education.

H. Completion of post-graduate health professional course work may satisfy continuing education requirements subject to approval by the Arkansas Tripartite Committee on Continuing Education.

4/07/89, (Amended: 04/30/93, 6/98 and 8/2001)

Notes

070.00.01 Ark. Code R. § 013

9/12/2001