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

Speech-Language Pathologists: Twenty (20) contact hours (CH) or two (2) continuing education units (CEU) to be accrued during the licensing term.

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.

SLP Assistants: N/A

How long is the reporting period?

The licensure period shall be construed as July 1 through June 30 with all regular licenses expiring at midnight on June 30 of even-numbered years.

How is credit hour defined?

N/A

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 courses that must be taken?

At least fifty (50) percent (10 Contact Hours or 1 CEU) of the continuing education requirement must be directly related to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology or audiology.

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

Educational Programs

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

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

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

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Academy of Audiology.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Auditory Society.

Attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by licensure authorities for speech-language pathology or audiology of other states or territories of the United States or the District of Columbia.

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

Presentations

Presentations, made before recognized groups of speech-language pathologists or audiologists, medical practitioners, or other health related professionals, rather than civic groups, and directly related to the profession of speech-language pathology or audiology. To be considered for continuing education credit, material outline and a synopsis must be submitted to the Department thirty (30) days 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 after successful completion of the master’s degree licensure requirement and taken for credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The courses must relate to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology or audiology. One academic semester hour shall be equivalent to fifteen (15) clock hours for continuing education credit. Courses must be on the graduate level. A minimum grade of "C" is needed for CE purposes

Online or Home Study Courses

One hundred percent (100%) of the total required hours may be accrued through online or home study courses. Correspondence courses are not considered self-study.  Courses must be approved by one of the organizations listed in Rule 10.7.4(1)(a) of these regulations.

Teleconferences approved by a provider listed under Rule 10.7.4(1)(a) of these regulations. Viewing of taped teleconferences is not acceptable unless authorized by the provider in writing.

Publication in a professional, refereed journal. Licensee must be the principal author. A maximum of 30% of the total CE requirement may be accrued through publication.

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

N/A

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

• All in-service programs not approved.

• 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.

• Entertainment or recreational meetings or activities.

• Committee meetings, holding of office, serving as an organizational delegate.

• Visiting exhibits.

• CPR education.

• Self-directed studies other than those previously outlined.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

See above in activities.

What are the reporting requirements?

Attendance at seminars, workshops, presentations, etc., approved by one of the providers:

• Certificate of attendance or completion must be submitted during the licensure renewal period (must include source, number of continuing education hours and date of attendance).
• Credit for presentations: Submit a copy of the Department's approval letter.
• Academic course work credits must meet the content criteria in Rule 10.7.3, 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.
• Teleconferences: A certificate of completion from the approved provider of the teleconference.
• Publication: A copy of the article and the name, volume, page number, etc. of the journal in which the article was published.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

N/A

Waiver

N/A

Audit

N/A

References

Miss. Code R. § 15.19 R. 10.7.4