Sec. 10.46.04.06. Continuing Competency Activities

A. A licensee may accrue contact hours by being involved in a broad variety of programs and activities to maintain professional competency.

B. A minimum of 16 hours is required to be earned through continuing competencies related to occupational therapy principles and procedures.

C. A maximum of 8 hours may be earned through occupational therapy role-related activities.

D. Continuing competency activities that are approved by the Board include activities described in §E of this regulation in which the licensee may participate, present, or complete independently.

E. Continuing Competency Activities - Specific Requirements.

(1) Workshops, Seminars, Conferences.

(a) A licensee may attend workshops, seminars, lectures, or professional conferences and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of attendance.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 24 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A certificate of completion.

(d) Additional Documentation. In addition to the requirements of §E(1)(c) of this regulation, for courses not preapproved, a licensee shall include the following additional documentation:

(i) The date, location, and hour-by-hour agenda of the course;

(ii) A course description;

(iii) A description of the presenter's qualifications; and

(iv) A certificate of completion.

(2) University, College, Adult Education Courses.

(a) A licensee may attend formal academic courses in occupational therapy or related topics at a university or college and receive 8 contact hours per credit hour earned.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 24 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) An original, official transcript indicating successful completion of the course; and

(iii) A description of the course from the school catalogue or course syllabus.

(3) Fellowship Training.

(a) A licensee may attend fellowship training in a specific area and receive 24 contact hours (a minimum of 12 full-time weeks).

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 24 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) A certificate awarded from the accredited organization;

(iii) The dates of attendance; and

(iv) A description of the training.

(4) Specialty Certification.

(a) A licensee may attain a specialty certification (for example, certified hand therapist) and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of education.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 20 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A certificate of completion.

(5) Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS).

(a) A licensee may participate by following the requirements for applying PAMS as set forth in COMAR 10.46.06.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 24 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) A certificate of completion;

(iii) An official grade report or transcript;

(iv) A course syllabus; and

(v) Written verification from the educator of five patient treatments.

(6) Auditing.

(a) A licensee may audit formal occupational therapy academic course work and receive 4 contact hours per credit hour.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) A letter from the instructor regarding the time spent in the classroom/lab from an accredited college/university; and

(iii) A report by the licensee on the learning objectives accomplished.

(7) Internet Learning.

(a) A licensee may participate in on-line courses and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of education.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) An abstract of the content; and

(iii) Verification of course completion from the course provider.

(8) Informal Self-Study.

(a) A licensee may participate through journal articles, or other reading opportunities with assessment, text books, video and audio tape, television, electronic media, seminars, workshops, and presentations and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of education.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) An abstract of content from the provider; or

(iii) Verification of completion from the course provider.

(9) In-Service Training.

(a) A licensee may attend an employer-provided occupational therapy in-service training program on principles, procedures, or occupational therapy related continuing education and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of education.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) The date, location, and hour-by-hour outline or abstract of content from the in-service provider;

(iii) The course description;

(iv) The presenter's qualifications; and

(v) Verification of participation from the in-service provider.

(10) Mentoring.

(a) A licensee may receive 1 contact hour per 4 hours of:

(i) Mentoring an occupational therapy colleague to improve the skills of the protege, including the role as disciplinary monitor;

(ii) Mentoring licensed occupational therapy professionals to improve their clinical skills;

(iii) Mentoring other health care professionals to improve staff clinical skills;

(iv) Mentoring management/administrative/academic skills as an occupational therapy professional; or

(v) Being mentored in a formally structured independent, concentrated, didactic or applied learning experience overseen by a mentor.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 8 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) The goals, objectives, and analysis of performance.

(11) Presentations by Licensee of Occupational Therapy Education Programs, Workshops, Seminars, and In-Services.

(a) A licensee may:

(i) Make presentations for local organizations, associations, or groups on an occupational therapy related topic;

(ii) Make professional presentations at state, national, or international workshops, seminars, or conferences; or

(iii) Provide professional in-service training or instruction for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, or related professionals.

(b) Contact hours are earned at twice the amount of the actual presentation time.

(c) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(d) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) An hour-by-hour schedule of the presentation; and

(iii) An announcement of the meeting, or letter of acknowledgement from the professional sponsoring the event, or both.

(e) Presentations of the content are credited only once per renewal cycle.

(12) Development of Instructional Materials.

(a) A licensee may develop instructional materials using alternative media such as video, audio, or software programs to advance professional skills of others (not for proprietary use) and receive 1 contact hour per 3 hours of work.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) A description of the program; and

(iii) Media or software materials.

(13) Poster Presentations.

(a) A licensee may present posters for state, national, or international workshops, seminars, or conferences and receive contact hours at twice the amount of the actual presentation time.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A copy of the presentation or program listing.

(d) Presentations of the content are credited only once per renewal cycle.

(14) Academic Guest Lecturer.

(a) If it is not a licensee's primary role, a licensee may teach one occupational therapy related academic course per semester and receive twice the contact hours per credit hour taught.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) The date and lecture or academic course title;

(iii) The name of the institution;

(iv) A letter from the instructor regarding the time spent in the classroom;

(v) Course or lecture goals and objectives; and

(vi) Number of hours actually taught.

(d) Presentations of the content are credited only once per renewal cycle.

(15) Fieldwork Supervision.

(a) If it is not a licensee's primary role, a licensee may directly supervise the fieldwork of Level I or Level II occupational therapy students and receive 2 contact hours per Level I occupational therapy student or 8 contact hours per Level II occupational therapy student.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) Verification from each student's college.

(16) Text Book or Articles Published or Accepted for Publication.

(a) A licensee may participate through:

(i) Publication of an occupational therapy or related professional textbook;

(ii) Professional manuscript published or reviewed (edited) for textbooks;

(iii) Publication of chapter or chapters in an occupational therapy or related professional textbook;

(iv) Publication of an occupational therapy article in a peer-reviewed publication; or

(v) Publication of an occupational therapy article in a nonpeer-reviewed publication.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 20 contact hours from authorship, editorship, coauthorship, coeditorship, or all of these, of a book for occupational therapists or relating to occupational therapy;

(ii) 10 contact hours for authorship or editorship of a chapter of a publication;

(iii) 8 contact hours for authorship or editorship of an occupational therapy article or abstract in a peer-reviewed publication; or

(iv) 4 contact hours for authorship or editorship of an occupational therapy-related article or abstract in a nonpeer-reviewed publication.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A copy of the published work.

(17) Research Projects.

(a) A licensee may participate through extensive scholarly research activities or extensive outcome studies (defined as research associated with, for example, grants, postgraduate studies, or peer-reviewed journals).

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 10 contact hours per research project as approved by the Board toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) Copies of research proposals and final results of the research to the continuing competency committee for approval and determination of the number of contact hours earned.

(18) Evaluator.

(a) A licensee may participate through quality assurance or program evaluation studies completed and published in a journal or newsletter.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 4 contact hours per study for quality assurance or program evaluation studies completed and published toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A copy of the evaluation study to the continuing competency committee for approval and determination of the number of contact hours earned.

(19) Reviewer/Editor.

(a) A licensee may review professional journal articles, papers, textbook chapters, or professional association conference presentations and receive 1/2 contact hour for each paper or proposal reviewed.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 contact hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) Confirmation from the sponsoring journal, publisher, or organization, including the number of reviews completed.

(20) Professional Study Group.

(a) A licensee may participate through professional study groups or online study groups designed to advance knowledge through active participation and receive 1 contact hour per 3 hours of study.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 12 contact hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) Group attendance records;

(iii) Study group goals; and

(iv) Analysis of goal attainment and learning.

(21) Jurisprudence Examination.

(a) A licensee may participate by successfully completing the Board's Jurisprudence Examination and receive 1 contact hour.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of 1 contact hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A certificate of completion.

(22) Volunteer Services.

(a) A licensee may volunteer occupational therapy services in areas of the licensee's expertise to community organizations, individuals, and populations, or volunteer on occupational therapy professional and related boards, associations, and committees for setting standards and the promotion of occupational therapy, and receive 1 contact hour per 1 hour of volunteering.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 8 contact hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report;

(ii) A verification letter from the organization to which services were volunteered; and

(iii) A letter describing outcomes of the volunteer service provided.

(23) Formal Self-Study.

(a) A licensee may participate in formal self-study activities through an independent, concentrated didactic, or applied learning experience, or both. The copyright on the materials used for study may not precede the submission date by more than 5 years.

(b) Every 2 years, a licensee may apply a maximum of:

(i) 16 contact hours toward the continuing competency requirement related to occupational therapy principles and procedures; and

(ii) 8 hours toward the continuing competency option for role-related activities.

(c) Documentation. The licensee shall provide:

(i) A continuing competency requirement compliance report; and

(ii) A certificate of completion or provider-signed summary to include subject area, credentials of supervisor, didactic resources, clinical experience, time frame, and relevance to licensee's professional practice.