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

Occupational Therapists:  OTs licensed in Mississippi must complete twenty (20) contact hours over two (2) years.

New Licensees: Individuals applying for initial licensure within a licensing term must accrue continuing education hours on a prorated scale. Written notification of required hours will be sent to the applicant at the time of licensure.

OTAs: OTAs licensed in Mississippi must complete twenty (20) contact hours over two (2) years.

How long is the reporting period?

The licensure period shall be construed as May 1 through April 30 of even numbered years.

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

No carryover of continuing education hours from one licensure period to another shall be allowed.

Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?

At least thirty (30%) percent (6 Contact Hours or .6 CEU) of the required continuing education must be directly related to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.

The six (6) contact hours related to clinical practice shall be live face-to-face training i.e., no internet training, video training, television training, etc. Of the remaining required 14 hours of training, fifty (50%) percent or seven (7) hours may be non live face-to-face training. Non live training may include home study courses, video, internet, etc. All training shall be from approved sources.

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

Attendance at Educational Programs

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association (MSOTA).

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), including other state association educational programs.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and/or approved by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) and its components.

Attendance at other programs approved for continuing education credit by AOTA, AMA, APTA, ASHA, or their components.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by accredited universities or colleges.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by a licensure authority of any jurisdiction in the United States for occupational therapy.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), including other state association educational programs.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), including other state association educational programs.

A course/provider not approved by one of the organizations listed in Rule 8.7.4(1) will not be accepted as continuing education for licensure renewal purposes. A course not approved by an organization listed in this section of the regulations may be reviewed by the department. Contact the department for information.

Presentations

Presentations made before recognized groups of occupational therapists, medical practitioners, or other health related professionals and directly related to the profession of occupational therapy. To be considered for continuing education credit, material outline and a synopsis must be submitted to the Department prior to the presentation date. Notice of approval or disapproval will be sent following a review by the Department. For approved presentations, the presenter may accrue one (1) hour of continuing education credit for each hour of the actual presentation, and one (1) hour of preparation time, for a total of (2) two hours. Presenter credit is given one (1) time only, even though the session may be presented multiple times. No more than 30% of total required hours may be accrued through presentations.

Academic Course Work

Academic course work taken for credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The courses must relate to the profession of occupational therapy. One academic semester hour shall be equivalent to fifteen (15) clock hours for continuing education credit. No more than fifty percent (50%) of total required hours may be accrued through academic course work. Undergraduate level courses are acceptable only when they can be demonstrated to update or enhance competency in licensee's specific practice field, and documented that course work has not been taken previously, to the satisfaction of the department. Graduate level courses are acceptable for occupational therapists. Undergraduate courses are acceptable for occupational therapy assistants.

Academic course work taken by an OT/OTA for credit toward an advanced degree in occupational therapy may be counted as meeting the full continuing education requirements.

Home Study Courses approved by the department.

Professional Publications

Professional publications where the licensee is an author. To be considered for continuing education credit, a reprint of the published article must be submitted to the department. Notice of approval or disapproval will be sent out after review by the department. A maximum of three (3) contact hours may be accrued through professional publication.

Supervision of Level I and Level II occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students by a Mississippi licensed OT

The total number of supervision hours may not exceed 12 hours. a. Supervision of Level I occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students. To be considered for continuing education credit, full direct supervision of a student must be performed for a complete clinical rotation. The educational institution must provide written documentation of the supervision. One continuing education hour per student supervised will be awarded for the full supervision. No more than a maximum of twelve (12) hours may be accrued under this provision during a licensure period. Only the primary supervisor is eligible to receive continuing education credit under this provision.

Supervision of Level II occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students. To be considered for continuing education credit, full direct supervision of a student must be performed for a complete clinical rotation. The educational institution must provide written documentation of the supervision. One continuing education hour per week of supervision per student supervised will be awarded for the full supervision. Co-supervision is acceptable. The supervising OT(s) shall record dates and times when acting as primary student supervisor. Supervision of more than one student at a time is acceptable. The supervising OT(s) shall record dates and times of supervision provided to each student. No more than a maximum of twelve (12) hours may be accrued under this provision during a licensure period.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association (MSOTA).

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), including other state association educational programs.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and/or approved by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) and its components.

Attendance at other programs approved for continuing education credit by AOTA, AMA, APTA, ASHA, or their components.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by accredited universities or colleges.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by a licensure authority of any jurisdiction in the United States for occupational therapy.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), including other state association educational programs.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), including other state association educational programs.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Specific unacceptable activities include:

• All in-service programs not approved under the regulations.
• Orientation to specific work-site programs dealing with organizational structures, processes, or procedures.
• Meetings for purposes of policy decision.
• Non-educational meetings at annual conferences, chapter, or organizational meetings. e. Entertainment or recreational meetings or activities.
• Committee meetings, holding of office, serving as an organizational delegate.
• CPR education.
• Self-directed studies other than those previously outlined.

What are the reporting requirements?

It is the responsibility of the licensee to insure that the following criteria are met with respect to continuing education credit:

• Attendance at seminars, workshops, presentations, etc., approved by an organization listed above is automatically accepted for credit unless sessions are duplicated. Verification of attendance may be made by submitting a continuing education certificate (must include source, number of continuing education hours and date of attendance) and proof of approval for the program/provider.
• Credit for presentations: Submit a copy of the Department's approval letter.
• Academic course work credits must meet the content criteria and must be accompanied by a course description from the college or university catalog and a copy of the transcript or final grade report. A minimum course grade of "C" is required for CE credit.
• Home Study Course: A certificate of completion must be submitted to receive continuing education credit.
• Publication: A letter of approval from the department.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

N/A

Waiver

N/A

Audit

N/A

Reference

Miss Code. R. 15.1960 Rule 8.7