Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-13-.12 - CONTINUING EDUCATION

All persons licensed as a genetic counselor must comply with the following continuing education rules as a prerequisite to licensure renewal.

(1) Continuing Education - Hours Required

(a) All licensed genetic counselors must successfully complete five (5) CEUs (category 1 or 2) or fifty (50) contact hours approved for recertification purposes by the ABGC during the two (2) calendar years (January 1 -December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year.

(b) The approved hours of any individual course will not be counted more than once in a two (2) calendar year period toward the required hourly total regardless of the number of times the course is attended or completed by any individual.

(c) The Board may waive or otherwise modify the requirements of this rule in cases where there is retirement, or an illness, disability or other undue hardship that prevents a licensee from obtaining the requisite number of continuing education hours. Requests for waivers or modification must be sent in writing to the Board's administrative office prior to the expiration of the renewal period in which the continuing education is due.

(2) Continuing Education - Proof of Compliance

(a) The due date for completion of the required continuing education is December 31st of the two (2) calendar year (January 1 - December 31) period that precedes the licensure renewal year.

(b) Submission of proof of compliance with continuing education requirements must be sent along with the biennial renewal application as provided in Rule 0880-13-.09.

(c) All genetic counselors must retain independent documentation of completion of all continuing education hours. This documentation must be retained for a period of four (4) years from the end of the renewal period in which the continuing education was acquired. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification, if requested in writing by the Division during its verification process. Documentation verifying the licensed individual's completion of the continuing education program(s) may consist of any one or more of the following:

1. Certificates from the continuing education program's sponsor, indicating the date, length in minutes awarded, program title, licensed individual's name and license number; or

2. An original letter on official stationery from the continuing education program's sponsor indicating date, length in minutes awarded, program title, licensed individual's name and license number.

(d) If a person submits documentation for continuing education that is not clearly identifiable as appropriate continuing education, the Board will request a written description of the education and how it applies to the practice as a genetic counselor.

(3) Violations

(a) Any genetic counselor who submits false documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements or who falsely attests to completion of the required hours of continuing education may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0880-13-.15.

(b) Any genetic counselor who fails to obtain the required continuing education hours may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0880-13-.15 and may not be allowed to renew licensure.

(c) Education hours obtained as a result of compliance with the terms of Board orders in any disciplinary action shall not be credited toward the continuing education hours required to be obtained in any calendar year.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-13-.12

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-6-101, 63-6-806, and 63-6-807. Administrative History: Original rule filed July 1, 2008; effective September 14, 2008.