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

Speech-Language Pathologists: SLPs licensed in Maryland must complete thirty (30) continuing education units every two (2) years.

Duel Licensees: Duel licenses must complete forty (40) continuing education units every two (2) years.

New Licensees: The Board shall waive all continuing education requirements for a speech-language pathologist or audiologist obtaining full licensure within six (6) months of the renewal cycle. This includes newly licensed individuals, reinstatements, and transfers from other states.

Continuing education units shall be prorated for licensees holding a full license for at least 6 months but less than two (2) years during the renewal cycle. This includes newly licensed individuals, reinstatements, and transfers from other states.

SLP Assistants: The speech-language pathology assistant shall earn a minimum of ten (10) CEUs as a condition of renewal as follows:

• Five (5) CEUs in the area of clinical practice; and
• Five (5) CEUs in work-related areas.

How long is the reporting period?

A speech-language pathologist licensee shall complete the required CEUs within the 2-year period ending December 31 of the year preceding the renewal year.

How is credit hour defined?

"Continuing education unit (CEU)" means the basic unit of measurement for a licensee's direct participation in an approved continuing education experience.

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

Continuing education units may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

N/A

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

The following are examples of areas in which CEUs may be earned in activities concerning speech-language pathology and audiology:

Academic course work in areas of speech-language pathology or audiology, or both, or related disciplines, taken at accredited colleges or universities;

Lectures and scheduled courses or workshops at local, regional, national, or international conferences concerning speech-language pathology or audiology, or both;

Presentation or attendance at lectures, workshops, or inservice programs;

Other professional activities such as books, papers, publications, or audiovisual materials;

Attendance at regularly scheduled Board meetings where:

• One (1) hour of an open session of a Board meeting equals one (1) hour of continuing education credit; and
• Not more than five (5) hours of continuing education credit may be earned in a single continuing education cycle.

Independent Study Activities

• CEUs may be earned through independent study activities including:
• Professional journals which include post-tests to document completion;
• Audio or video tapes of programs approved by the Board for continuing education credit with a post-test;
• Internet programs approved by the Board for continuing education credit with a post-test; or
• Other independent study activities approved by the Board.
• The licensee shall complete the post-test successfully for CEUs to be granted.
• If proof of passing the post-test is obtained, there is no limit on the number of credit hours that may be earned through independent study activities.

Pro Bono Work

• CEUs may be earned for pro bono work at the rate of one (1) Maryland CEU for every eight (8) hours of Board-approved CEU activity, up to a maximum of three (3) CEU credits in any single two (2) year period.
• The licensee shall obtain approval from the Board for all pro bono work.
• The licensee shall provide the Board a written description of the proposed work not later than 60 days before beginning pro bono work. The description shall include:
• The place where the pro bono work will take place;
• The type of work to be performed;
• The number of hours of actual work to be performed for which the licensee desires CEU credit;
• A description of how the work will enhance the licensee's ongoing education; and
• A statement guaranteeing that the licensee will not receive any financial gain from the work provided.
• The licensee shall submit a written statement to the Board from the facility verifying the number of pro bono work hours completed.
• CEU credit may not be granted for work that did not receive prior approval from the Board.

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

Within the two (2) year renewal period immediately preceding the licensee's application for renewal, the licensee shall earn thirty (30) continuing education units (CEUs) as follows:

• A minimum of twenty (20) CEUs in the area of licensure; and
• No more than ten (10) CEUs in areas related to speech-language pathology or audiology or both, including practice management.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Board approval is required for all courses.

What are the reporting requirements?

A licensee shall submit a signed form attesting to the licensee's completion of the required CEUs at the time of license renewal.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

A licensee shall retain supporting documents for inspection by the Board for 4 years after the date of renewal.

Waiver

If the licensee presents evidence that failure to obtain the required CEUs was due to circumstances beyond the licensee's control, the Board may grant an extension of time to obtain the required CEUs.

The Board may reduce or waive the continuing education requirements for an individual under extenuating circumstances.

Audit

 Continuing Education Audit Procedures:

• At each renewal period, the Board shall audit 10 percent of the renewal applications.
• The Board members shall be audited for the required CEUs.
• The Board shall send notification of audit to licensees to be audited.
• The licensee being audited shall submit to the Board a report of the continuing education hours required for renewal on a form approved by the Board along with the appropriate documentation.
• If a licensee submits a false statement of continuing education, the Board may take formal disciplinary action against the licensee.

References

COMAR 10.41.03.02