How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?

Occupational Therapists: OTs licensed in Arkansas must complete ten (10) hours of continuing education every year.  

New Licensees: Therapists receiving a new license will not be required to submit for continuing education credit during the first partial year of licensure.   

OTAs: OTAs licensed in Arkansas must complete ten (10) hours of continuing education every year. 

Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

N/A

Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?

N/A

What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?

Workshops, refresher courses, professional conferences, seminars, or facility-based continuing education programs, especially those designated as provided for occupational therapists. Hour for hour credit on program content only.

Professional presentations, workshops, institutes presented by the therapist (same presentation counted only once) and are considered on a hour for hour credit on program content only; five (5) hour maximum per year.

Formal academic coursework related to the field of occupational therapy. One (1) to two (2) semester hour class equivalent to five (5) contact hours. Three (3) to four (4) semester hour class equivalent to ten (10) contact hours.

Publications/Media; Research/Grant activities. A request to receive credit for these activities must be submitted in writing, for approval, to the Arkansas State Occupational Therapy Examining Committee thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the license.

Book, journal or video reviews. Must be verified by submission of a one (1) page typewritten review of the material studied, including application to clinical practice, one (1) hour credit per review; two (2) hour maximum per year.

Self-study coursework verified by submission of proof of course completion. The number of contact hours credited will be determined by the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Examining Committee. Course outline and proof of completion must be submitted to the Committee thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the license.

Are there limitations on the types of courses that can be taken?

N/A

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

All continuing education programs shall directly pertain to the profession of occupational therapy. The Committee will not pre-approve continuing education programs.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What are the reporting requirements?

Acceptable documentation to maintain on file is as follows:

• Official transcripts documenting completion of academic coursework directly related to the field of occupational therapy.
• A signed verification by a program leader or instructor of the practitioner's attendance in a program, by letter on letterhead of the sponsoring agency, certificate, or official continuing education transcript, accompanied by a brochure, agenda, program or other applicable information indicating the program content.
• A letter from a practitioner's supervisor on the agency's letterhead, giving the names of the continuing education programs attended, location, dates, subjects taught, and hours of instruction.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Each licensee will sign his renewal application verifying that he has completed said ten (10) hours and will maintain for a period of three (3) years proof of the courses taken, should it be requested by the Board for audit purposes.

Waiver

N/A

Audit

N/A

Reference

Ark. Admin. Rules 060-001-6.34