Minnesota: The Minnesota Statutes provide standards for determining qualified continuing education activities and define activities that qualify for continuing education contact hours (Minnesota Statutes 2017, section 148.6443, Subds. 2. and 3.). To qualify for continuing education credit, an activity must constitute an organized program of learning; it must reasonably be expected to advance the knowledge and skills of the practitioner; it must pertain to subjects directly related to the practice of occupational therapy; it must be conducted by a sponsor approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association or by individuals who should be considered experts on the topic due to their education, training, and experience; and it must be presented by a sponsor who has a means to verify attendance and maintain records for three years. Subd. 3. defines acceptable means of obtaining continuing education credit through various courses and activities and the maximum allowable hours that can be obtained through any particular activity.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The proposed rules were developed by reviewing the provisions of ch. OT 3 to ensure consistency with current standards for drafting style and format and applicable Wisconsin statutes. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report:
The proposed rules were posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local government units, and individuals. No comments were received.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Jennifer.Garrett@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 266-6795. Agency contact person:
Nilajah Hardin, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8366; telephone 608-267-7139; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov.
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. OT 3.06 (3) is amended to read:
OT 3.06 (3) At least 12 points of the continuing education required under subs. (1) and (2) shall be accumulated through 2 or more professional development activities listed under Table OT 3.06 that are related to occupational therapy. The remainder of the continuing education required under subs. (1) and (2) shall be accumulated through courses, programs, or other educational activities related to the licensee’s practice. In Table OT 3.06, “contact hour” means not less than 50 minutes of actual professional activity.
Section 2. OT 3.06 (3) (table) lines (b) and (f) are amended and line (fm) is created to read:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS |
(b) Attendance at seminars, workshops, lectures, professional conferences, interactive on-line courses, and video courses, and webinars approved by the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, or National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. | 1 point per contact hour of attendance. |
(f) Initial completion of specialty board certification in occupational therapy, including certification in neurorehabilitation, pediatrics, hand therapy, gerontology, driver rehabilitation, advanced practice, physical rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics, or gerontology from the American Occupational Therapy Association, or certification in neurorehabilitation, pediatrics, hand therapy, neuro−developmental treatment, case management, and rehabilitation counseling. | 12 points. |
(fm) Specialty certification in low vision; driving and community mobility; school system; environmental modification; or feeding, eating, and swallowing from the American Occupational Therapy Association. | 10 points |
Section 3. Effective date. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats. (END OF TEXT OF RULE)
