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Washington Occupational Therapy Continuing Education

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

Occupational Therapists:  Thirty (30) hours.

OTAs: Thirty (30) hours.

How is credit hour defined?

Not defined.

How long is the reporting period?

Two years.

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

No, continuing education hours in excess of the required hours earned in a reporting period cannot be carried forward to the next reporting cycle.

Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?

A minimum of twenty (20) hours must be directly related to the practice of occupational therapy

Beginning January 1, 2014, as part of their continued competency, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are required to obtain at least three (3) hours of training every six (6) years in suicide assessment.

Suicide Assessment Training for Initial Licensees

An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must complete the first training required by this section during the first full continued competency reporting period after January 1, 2014, or the first full continued competency reporting period after initial licensure, whichever occurs later.

An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant applying for initial licensure on or after January 1, 2014, may delay completion of the first training required by this section for six years after initial licensure if:

    • He or she can demonstrate successful completion of a three (3) hour training program in suicide assessment that was completed no more than six (6) years prior to the application for initial licensure; and
    • The training meets the qualifications listed in WAC 246-847-066.

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

Activity

Documentation Requirements

Maximum

Continuing education course work.

The required documentation for this activity is a certificate or documentation of attendance.

N/A

In-service training.

The required documentation for this activity is a certificate or documentation of attendance.

N/A

Professional conference or workshop.

The required documentation for this activity is a certificate or documentation of attendance.

N/A

Course work offered by an accredited college or university, provided that the course work is taken after the licensee has obtained a degree in occupational therapy, and the course work provides skills and knowledge beyond entry-level skills or knowledge.

The required documentation for this activity is a transcript.

N/A

Publications.

The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the publication.

N/A

Presentations.

The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the presentation or program listing.

Any particular presentation may be reported only once per reporting period.

Interactive online courses.

The required documentation for this activity is a certificate or documentation of completion.

N/A

Development of instructional materials incorporating alternative media such as: Video, audio and/or software programs to advance professional skills of others.

The required documentation for this activity is a program description. The media/software materials must be available if requested during audit process.

N/A

Professional manuscript review.

The required documentation for this activity is a letter from publishing organization verifying review of manuscript.

Ten (10) hours is allowed per reporting period for this category.

Guest lecturer for occupational therapy related academic course work.

The required documentation for this activity is a letter or other documentation from instructor.

N/A

Serving on a professional board, committee, disciplinary panel, or association.

The required documentation for this activity is a letter or other documentation from the organization.

Ten (10) hours is allowed per reporting period for this category.

 Self-study of cassette, tape, video tape, or other multimedia device, or book.

he required documentation for this activity is a two (2) page synopsis of each item written by the licensee.

Ten (10) hours is allowed per reporting period for this category.

Level II fieldwork direct supervision of an occupational therapy student or occupational therapy assistant student by site designated supervisor(s).

The required documentation for this activity is a name of student(s), letter of verification from school, and dates of fieldwork.

Ten (10) hours per supervisor is allowed per reporting period for this category.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Not specified

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Not specified

What are the reporting requirements?

If continuing education is required for renewal, the practitioner must verify compliance by submitting a signed declaration of compliance.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Documentation for all activities must include licensee's name, date of activity, and number of hours.

Keep records for four (4) years documenting attendance description of learning.

Waiver

A practitioner may be excused from or granted an extension of continuing education requirements due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. The profession's regulatory entity determines when the requirements may be waived or may grant an extension.

Audit

Up to twenty-five (25%) percent of the practitioners are randomly audited for continuing education compliance after the credential is renewed. It is the practitioner's responsibility to submit documentation of completed continuing education activities at the time of the audit. Failure to comply with the audit documentation request or failure to supply acceptable documentation within sixty (60) days may result in disciplinary action.

Citations

WAC 246-847-065


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