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

All persons certified as acupuncturists must comply with the following continuing education rules as a prerequisite to certification renewal.

(1) All certified acupuncturists must obtain thirty (30) Professional Development Activity (PDA) points, as defined by NCCAOM, during the two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) period that precedes the year in which certification is renewed.

(2) Continuing education for new certificate holders - Submitting proof of successful completion of all education and training requirements required for certification in Tennessee, pursuant to Rule 0880-12-.04, shall be considered proof of sufficient preparatory education to constitute successful completion of continuing education requirements for the two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) period in which such education and training requirements were completed.

(3) The approved hours of any individual course or activity will not be counted more than once in a two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) period toward the required point total regardless of the number of times the course or activity is attended or completed by any individual.

(4) The Committee and/or Board may waive or otherwise modify the requirements of this rule in cases where there is illness, disability or other undue hardship that prevents a certificate holder from obtaining the requisite number of continuing education points. Requests for waivers or modification must be sent in writing to the Administrative Office prior to the expiration of the renewal period in which the continuing education is due.

(5) Acceptable Continuing Education Courses and Activities - The following professional courses and activities qualify for PDA points of continuing education:

(a) Courses - One (1) point for each hour of courses that directly enhance an acupuncturist's knowledge and/or practice of acupuncture. Points may be earned for courses in Oriental medical theory and techniques such as bodywork, nutrition, and herbology, as well as courses in western sciences that relate to the practice of Acupuncture. Points may also be earned for the study of tai chi and qi gong.

(b) Research - One point for every two (2) hours of documented research. Acceptable research projects include those that relate to knowledge and/or practice in acupuncture.

(c) Writing for Publication - Ten (10) points for each article; Thirty (30) points for a book or major work. Publications include articles, studies, reports, books, etc., that relate to knowledge and/or practice in acupuncture.

(d) Teaching/Clinic Supervision - One (1) point for each clock hour of instruction or supervision relating to acupuncture. Teaching or supervision refers to the ongoing responsibility for theoretical and/or practical education. Credit can be earned for a variety of teaching positions, including teaching or clinical supervision in a formal school or preceptorship, provided there is appropriate documentation.

(e) Supervised Clinical Experience - One and one-half (1/4) points for each clock hour of supervised clinical experience under a senior acupuncturist who has a minimum of five years of experience in acupuncture and is an NCCAOM Diplomate in Acupuncture. The clinical experience may include observation, case discussion, and/or supervised practice.

(6) Proof of Compliance

(a) The due date for completion of the required continuing education is December 31st of the two (2) calendar year period that precedes the year in which certification is renewed.

(b) All acupuncturists must, on the certificate renewal form, enter a signature, electronic or otherwise, which indicates completion of the required continuing education obtained during the two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) period that precedes the year in which certification is renewed.

(c) All acupuncturists must retain independent documentation of completion of all continuing education courses and activities. This documentation must be retained for a period of four (4) years from the end of the two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) 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 acupuncturist's completion of the continuing education may consist of any one (1) or more of the following:

1. Courses - Dates, locations of continuing education courses, number of hours, course title/content and instructor's name, documented by notarized photocopies of original certificates of completion or original letters on official stationery from the course provider.

2. Research - Dates, location, and subject/title of research, documented by a notarized photocopy of an affidavit from a school, hospital, or other official agency detailing the activity.

3. Writing for Publication - Dates, titles, and names of publishers, documented by a photocopy of the title page.

4. Teaching Acupuncture Related Courses - Dates and locations of classes, syllabi, course titles and course hours, documented by catalogs, computer records, or notarized photocopies of certificates and other official statements that verify the activities and hours involved.

5. Preceptorship - Dates, hours, and locations of clinical or apprenticeship activity, documented by a notarized photocopy of an affidavit from the supervising practitioner.

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

(7) Violations

(a) Any acupuncturist who falsely attests to completion of the required continuing education may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0880-12-.15.

(b) Any acupuncturist who fails to obtain the required continuing education may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0880-12-.15 and may not be allowed to renew certification.

(c) Continuing education obtained as a result of compliance with the terms of Committee and/or Board Orders in any disciplinary action shall not be credited toward the continuing education required to be obtained in any two (2) calendar year (January 1-December31) period.

Notes

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

Original rule filed March 17, 2006; effective May 31, 2006.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, 63-6-214, 63-6-1004, and 63-6-1007.