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- Delaware Occupational Therapy Continuing Education Requirements
Delaware Occupational Therapy Continuing Education |
Updated 8/22/2024
How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?
Occupational therapists licensed in Delaware are required to complete twenty-four (24) continuing education hours every two (2) years.
Occupational therapy assistants licensed in Delaware are required to complete twenty-four (24) continuing education hours every two (2) years.
New Licensees
CEUs shall be prorated for new licensees in accordance with the following schedule:
- Twenty-one (21) months up to and including twenty-four (24) months remaining in the licensing cycle requires twenty-four (24) hours;
- Sixteen (16) months up to an including twenty (20) months remaining in the licensing cycle requires fifteen (15) hours;
- Eleven (11) months up to and including fifteen (15) months remaining in the licensing cycle requires ten (10) hours;
- Ten (10) months or less remaining in the licensing cycle - exempt.
How is credit hour defined?
A Continuing Education Unit is a measure for a continuing education activity. One (1) continuing education unit equals 60 minutes in a learning activity, excluding meals and breaks.
How long is the reporting period?
Two (2) years. Continuing education units (CEUs) are required for license renewal and shall be completed by July 31st of each even numbered year.
Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?
No. CE earned in excess of the required credits for the two (2) year period may not be carried over to the next biennial period.
Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?
N/A
What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?
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Academic Coursework |
Documentation for academic coursework shall include an official transcript with registrar's seal from accredited college/university. The transcript should be sent in a sealed envelope and should indicate successful completion of the course, dates, and a description of the course from the school catalogue or course syllabus. |
One (1) credit hour per semester shall be equal to ten (10) CEUs. |
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Courses Workshops, seminars, lectures, conferences, and non-patient-specific in-service training qualify under this provision as long as they are presented in a structured educational experience beyond entry-level academic degree level. |
Documentation for continuing education courses shall include a certificate of completion or similar documentation including name of attendee, event title, date, instructor, sponsoring organization, location, and number of hours earned. |
The same training may be claimed one-time only for CEU. Excluded are any job-related duties in the workplace such a fire safety, OSHA, new staff orientation, and corporate compliance training. One (1) CPR course per biennial is acceptable. |
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Independent learning with assessment element Online courses, workshops, seminars, lectures, conference, or self-study series |
Documentation shall include a certificate of attendance from the provider verifying dates, event title, attendee name, agenda and successful completion of assessment component at the end of the program. (e.g., scored test, project, paper). |
One (1) hour = One (1) CEU. |
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Independent learning without assessment element Audited coursework, etc. |
Documentation shall include a summary report of learning with notation of hours spent. |
Two (2) hours = One (1) CEU (Maximum twelve (12) CEUs) |
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Reading peer-reviewed, role-related professional journal article and/or textbook chapter Writing a report describing the implications for improving skills in one's specific role. |
Documentation shall include an annotated bibliography and a report with analysis of how articles impacted improving skills in one's role. |
Two (2) articles or two (2) chapters = One (1) CEU. Cannot claim CEU purposed if textbook is required reading for academic coursework/audited course. |
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Participating in professional study group Study group is designed to advance knowledge through active participation. |
Documentation shall include group attendance record verifying time spent, study group goals, and analysis of goal attainment and learning. |
Two (2) hours = One (1) unit. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. |
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Receive mentoring from a professional Professional in good standing to improve the skills of the protégé. |
Documentation shall include goals and objectives established in collaboration with the mentor and self-analysis of performance. |
Two (2) hours = One (1) unit. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. |
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Presenting Serve as the primary or co-presenter at a state, national, or international workshop, seminar, or conference |
Documentation for a presentation shall be a copy of the presentation and a copy of the program listing that includes the presenter name, times and title of the presentation. |
One time presentation per topic. One (1) hour = Two (2) CEUs. |
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Presenting Primary or co-presenter for local organization/association/group on practice area-related topic: (energy conservation, back care and prevention of injury). |
Documentation for a presentation shall include a copy of the presentation and a program listing that includes the presenter's name, date, time, and location of presentation and contact person for the organization. |
One (1) hour = Two (2) CEUs. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. Credit for preparation and presentation shall be given for the first presentation only of the same topic. One time presentation per topic. |
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Presenting Primary or co-presenter making a poster presentation for state, national, or international workshop, seminar, or conference. |
Documentation shall include a copy of presentation or program listing. Presenter name and limes and title of presentation must be indicated on documentation. |
One (1) poster = Two (2) CEUs Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. Credit for presentation shall be given for the first presentation only. |
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Presenting Serving as adjunct faculty, teaching practice area-related academic course per semester (must not be one's primary role). |
Documentation shall include a letter of verification from school that includes dates, lecture/course title, length of session and course/lecture goals and objective or a copy of the course syllabus. |
One (1) credit hour = Six (6) CEUs. Credit for presentation shall be given for first presentation of course title. |
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Presenting Provide professional in service training, instruction, or guest lecture as a primary or co-presenter for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistant, or related professionals. |
Documentation shall include a copy of attendance record and an outline of the presentation and a letter from the supervisor on letterhead verifying the presenter's name and the date/time/length of the presentation. |
One (1) hour = One (1) CEU One-time presentation per topic. |
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Professional Meetings and Activities Approved credit includes attendance at: DOTA business meetings, AOTA business meetings, AOTA Representative Assembly meetings. NBCOT meetings, OT Licensure Board meetings. |
Documentation includes name of committee or board, name of agency or organization, purpose of services, and description of licensee's role. Participation must be validated by an officer or representative of the organization or committee. |
A licensee may only obtain credit for a maximum of six (6) CEUs regardless of number of meetings attended beyond six (6). |
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Professional Meetings and Activities Credit will also be given for participation as an elected or appointed member/officer on a board, committee or council in the field of health and social service related to occupational therapy. |
Documentation includes name of committee or board, name of agency or organization, purpose of services, and description of licensee's role. Participation must be validated by an officer or representative of the organization or committee. |
A licensee may only obtain credit for a maximum of six (6) CEUs regardless of number of meetings attended beyond six. Maximum six (6) CEUs. |
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Self-Assessment and Developing a Professional Development Continuing-Competency Plan Only self-assessment and continuing competency plans sponsored by NBCOT or AOTA will be accepted. |
Documentation shall include a certificate of completion. |
Maximum one (1) CEU. |
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Professional Development Continuing Competency Plan |
Documentation shall include a copy of the goal plan. |
Maximum one (1) CEU. |
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Competency Assessment Units |
Documentation shall include certificate of completion. |
Maximum ten (10) CEUs. |
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Volunteering An organization, population, or individual that adds to the overall development of one's practice roles. |
Documentation shall include a verification of hours via a letter from the organization and a report describing the hours and outcomes of volunteer service. |
Five (5) hours = One (1) unit. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. |
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Mentoring an OT colleague or other professional to improve skills of the protégé |
Documentation shall include goals, objective, and analysis of mentee performance. |
Two (2) hours = One (1) CEU. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. |
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Peer review of practice-related research article or textbook Publications Primary or co-author of practice-area related article in non-peer reviewed professional publication. (OT Practice, SIS Quarterly, Advance). |
Documentation shall include a letter from publishing organization. Documentation shall include copy of published article. |
Five (5) CEU per review. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. One (1) article= Five (5) CEUs Maximum twenty-four (24) CEUs. |
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Publications Primary or co-author of practice area related article in peer-reviewed professional publication (journal, book chapter, or research paper.) |
Documentation shall include copy of published article. |
One (1) article = Ten (10) units. Maximum twenty-four (24) CEUs. |
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Publications Primary or co-author of practice area related article in lay publication (newspaper or newsletter) |
Documentation shall include copy of published article. |
One (1) article = Two (2) CEUs |
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Publications |
Documentation shall include copy of published article. |
One (1) article = Two (2) CEUs. |
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Publications Primary or co-author of chapter in practice-area related professional textbook. |
Documentation shall include copy of published chapter and a letter from editor. |
One (1) chapter = Ten (10) CEUs. |
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Publications Primary or co-primary investigator in extensive scholarly research activities or outcome studies, or externally funded service/training projects associated with grants or post- graduate studies. |
Documentation shall include copy of completed research/study that indicates licensee as primary/co-primary investigator. |
One (1) study = Ten (10) CEUs Maximum twelve (12) CEUs. |
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Specialty Certification Examples include Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and Occupational Therapist, Board Certified in Pediatrics (BCP). |
Documentation includes a certificate of completion or other documentation from the recognized certifying body that identifies satisfactory completion of the requirements for obtaining board certification of specialty certification. |
Approval for credit hours for specialty certification, requiring successful completion of courses and exams attained during the current licensure period. |
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Fieldwork Supervision Level 1 fieldwork direct supervision (must not be one's primary role). |
Documentation shall include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork educator with the name of student, school, and dates of fieldwork. |
One (1) unit per student (Maximum twelve (12) CEUs total for student supervision). |
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Fieldwork Supervision Level II fieldwork direct supervision (must not be one's primary role). Co-supervision is acceptable; record dates and times when acting as primary student supervisor and apply appropriate CEU number based on time spent supervising. Supervision of more than one student at a time is acceptable. |
Documentation shall include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork educator with the name of the student, school, and dates of fieldwork. |
One (1) unit per week of supervision per student supervised. Maximum twelve (12) CEUs total for student supervision. |
Are there limitations on the types of courses that can be taken?
The CE is required to be from two (2) or more of the following categories:
- Courses attended – maximum of nineteen (19) hours;
- Professional meetings – maximum of ten (10) hours;
- Presentations given – maximum of fifteen (15) hours;
- Specialty Certification (during the current license period) – Approval of credit hours for specialty certification is at the Board’s discretion.
The following categories must have prior board approval to be eligible for credit:
- Publications – maximum of fifteen (15) hours;
- Research/Grants – maximum of ten (10) hours;
- Home Study Courses – maximum of ten (10) hours.
What type of approval is needed for the courses?
A licensee or continuing education provider may request prior approval by the Board by submitting an outline of the activity before it is scheduled. Continuing education sponsored or approved by NBCOT, AOTA or offered by AOTA-approved providers is automatically approved.
What type of courses or activities are not allowed?
N/A
What are the reporting requirements?
Proof of continuing education is satisfied with an attestation by the licensee that he or she has satisfied the requirements.
Continuing Education (CE) is tracked in DELPROS, the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Service.
How long must continuing education records be retained?
N/A
Waiver
The Board may waive or postpone all or part of the continuing education activity requirements of these regulations if an OT or OTA submits written request for a waiver prior to renewal and provides evidence to the satisfaction of the Board of an illness, injury, financial hardship, family hardship, or other similar extenuating circumstance which precluded the individual’s completion of the requirements.
Audit
Random audits will be performed by the Board to ensure compliance with the CE requirement.
- The Board will notify licensees after July 31 of each biennial renewal period that they have been selected for audit.
- Licensees selected for random audit shall be required to submit verification within ten (10) business days of the date of notification of selection for audit.
- Verification shall include such information necessary for the Board to assess whether the course or other activity meets the CE requirements in Section 3.0, which may include, but is not limited to, the information noted for each type of CE.
Reference
24-2000 Del. Admin. Code § 3.0