Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1155-04-.12 - CONTINUING EDUCATION

(1) Each licensed orthotist, prosthetist and pedorthist must annually complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education in courses applicable to his/her profession. At least six (6) hours of the continuing education each year must be obtained by each licensee from providers in the state of Tennessee. No more than seven (7) hours of the annual requirement shall be completed by any of the means listed in Rule 1155-02-.12(1)(d).

(a) A person who is licensed in more than one (1) profession under these rules shall annually complete a total of twenty (20) hours of continuing education.

(b) Of the twenty (20) hours required by subparagraph (a), six (6) hours shall be subjects pertaining to each profession in which he/she is licensed. For example, a person who is licensed as a orthotist and as a prosthetist is required to complete six (6) hours pertaining to orthotics and six (6) hours pertaining to prosthetics. The remaining eight (8) hours required could pertain to either orthotics or prosthetics.

(2) Acceptable continuing education shall consist of courses provided, approved, or sponsored by:

(a) The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.;

(b) The Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification;

(c) The Board for Certification in Pedorthics;

(d) The Pedorthic Footwear Association;

(e) Tennessee Orthotic and Prosthetic Facilities, Inc.;

(f) The Tennessee Podiatric Medical Association; and

(g) Any other entity whose education programs have been approved by the Board.

(3) Course Approval

(a) Courses to be offered for credit toward the required continuing education hours must, unless provided, approved or sponsored by an entity listed in paragraph (2), receive prior approval from the Board.

(b) Prior approval of a course may be obtained by submitting the following information to the Board's administrative office at least forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled date of the course:

1. A course description or outline;

2. Names of all lecturers;

3. Brief resume of all lecturers;

4. Number of hours of educational credit requested;

5. Date and location of course or how to access the course electronically;

6. How certification of attendance is to be documented; and

7. The Continuing Education Course Accreditation Fee required to be paid pursuant to Rule 1155-04-.09.

(4) Each licensee must retain proof of attendance and completion of all continuing education requirements. This documentation must be retained for a period of four (4) years from the end of the calendar year in which the continuing education was required. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification, if requested in writing by the Board during its verification process. The Board will not maintain continuing education files.

(5) Each licensee must, within thirty (30) days of a request from the Board, provide evidence of continuing education activities. Certificates verifying the individual's attendance or original letters from course providers are such evidence.

(6) Licensees are exempt from the continuing education requirements for the calendar year that the requirements of Rule 1155-04-.06 were completed.

(7) Violations

(a) Any person who falsely attests to attendance and completion of the required hours of continuing education may be subject to disciplinary action.

(b) Any person who fails to obtain the required continuing education hours may be subject to disciplinary action.

(8) Education hours obtained as a result of compliance with the terms of a Board order in any disciplinary action shall not be counted toward the continuing education hours required to be obtained by paragraph (1) of this rule.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1155-04-.12

Original rule filed July 13, 2006; effective September 26, 2006. Amendments filed October 10, 2024; effective 1/8/2025.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-3-202.