Continuing Education

Course Type Examples

Course Type Examples

CE Type 1-Topics are relevant or related to occupational therapy, but general enough in nature that other professionals might also benefit from it; not usually a course involving learning a new method, technique or modality.  Courses that are suggested for many diverse professions are usually Type 1.

• Videotape on Aggression in Adolescents
• In-service on ADD in 3- 5-year-old Children
• Research on Neuro-motor Control (writing a journal article)
• Subjective Objective Assessment Plan (SOAP) Documentation
• Presentation on Medicare/Medicaid Changes
• In-service on the New PPS Requirements
• CPT Coding
• Self-paced Instruction for Clinical Education & Supervision
• Functional Independence Measures Training
• What is Autism?
• Seminar on Alzheimer's

CE Type 2-Topics are specific to the practice of occupational therapy with patients or clients. A minimum of 15 hours are required for renewal, but all CE may be in Type 2.

• Workshop on NDT Review
• Intervention on Aggressive Behaviors in Adolescents
• Neurodevelopmental Treatment Techniques
• Demonstration of Adaptive Devices for Elderly Populations
• Workshop on an Activity of Daily Living (ADL)
• Intervention for Sensory Processing Disorders
• Feeding Therapy
• Managing Adult Hemiplegia
• Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Update
• Management of the Shoulder
• Intervention for Developmental Dyspraxia
• OT & Animal-assisted Therapy
• Handwriting Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities
• Physical Agent Modalities for Hand Patients
• Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Intervention Strategies for 0-3 year olds
• Feeding for Patients with Dysphasia
• Hippotherapy
• Special Education - Intro to Exceptional Children

The list below is examples of topics considered NOT relevant and NOT acceptable for CE credit. While many of these topics may enrich your relationship with your clients or enhance the success of your practice, they are not required in order for licensees to provide occupational therapy services.

• Massage Therapy Registration Program
• General Management and Business
• General Foreign Language course
• Grant Writing Workshops
• Social Work Courses
• Defensive Driving
• Water Safety Courses
• Team Building Workshops
• GRE, GMAT, MCAT preparation
• Cooking for Health
• Weight Management Courses
• Women's Health and Stress Management
• Reading Technique Courses
• Nutrition for Women
• Geriatric Anthology
• Repetitive facility-based courses such as: CPR, patient abuse, disposal of hazardous waste, patient privacy, HIPAA & FERPA, blood borne pathogens.

FAQs

Can extra continuing education contact hour be carried over to the next renewal cycle?

No. The Board requires you to obtain 30 hours of continuing education for each 24-month renewal cycle. Everyone gets the same amount of time to earn the same number of continuing education. However, if you earn more than 30 hours in a renewal cycle, the Board does not consider the CE "wasted." Any time a licensee gets training or education; it benefits the patients as well as the therapist.

Does a licensee with an inactive status have to do continuing education?
Yes. The Board wants the inactive licensee ready to come back to work at any time. The CE keeps the licensee on-track with the profession. The inactive licensee is also part of the continuing education audit.

Are the courses in Occupational Therapy Theory or Occupational Science, Frames of Reference and Foundation knowledge counted as Type 2?
Yes. The Board recognized that OT practice and skills are built on this competency for decision making.
 
Can I use weight training as a Type 2?
Yes if you are using that technique with your patients.

Can I do my required continuing education all online?
Yes. However they must still fit into Type 1 and Type 2 criteria. Also the course must require a post-test, and provide a certificate of completion for your files. All CE must be relevant to occupational therapy and fit into all criteria as written in rule Chapter 367. Continuing Education.

My mail contains information about workshops which are approved for Florida or PT or Ohio; does that mean the Board approves them?
§367.2 (g) states:  Licensees are responsible for choosing Type 1 or Type 2 CE according to the definitions in this section.  Therefore you will have to make a determination yourself.  There are examples of Type 1 and Type 2 kinds of courses on the website, and there is a decision tree to assist you.

What do I need to have for an audit?
Send in certificates of attendance, certificates of completion, college transcripts, or employer computerized facility training, Fieldwork letters from colleges, publications, and other as perChapter 367.

Can I sign the renewal form affidavit before I finish the 30 hours?
The course you are signed up for to finish your hours could be cancelled; there could be an illness or weather problems which prevent you from attending the planned course.   When you have finished all your CE, sign the form or go online to complete the renewal.  If it's a paper renewal, you can mail it overnight and it's not late if it's postmarked before the end of the birth month.   

Has the board made any decision about particular continuing education courses?

Yes.  All GSC courses are strictly Type 1. Courses that state that they are Board approved are not.  Follow the definitions for Type 1 and Type 2 as written or take courses through AOTA or TOTA and their approved providers.  Courses must still meet the defintions for Type 1 or Type 2 no matter who the CE provider, and must not be on the "not allowed" list in Chapter 367.

My employer requires courses in hazardous waste disposal, HIPAA, patients' rights, etc.  Do these count?

No.  Repetitive required courses such as these and others may not be counted, nor can required CPR.  Courses about pharmeceuticals are Type 1.  Attending business meetings does not count either.

Can you give me some advise about reading CE brochures?

When courses are being offered for CE for physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, teachers, principals, psychologists, principals, teachers, parents, etc. etc. the information in the course will not be specific to OT intervention and therefore NOT Type 2, but will count for Type 1.

How can I take my CE so I can count the hours for NBCOT?

Yes.  All your CE taken for license renewal will count toward your NBCOT renewal. You can take the CE anytime during your 2-year renewal period, so look at your NBCOT re-certification
date and plan on the time frame that works with that.  The Board does not require that you complete your CE hours in any particular year, as long as they are completed before you renew.

Do I have to take the courses in Texas?

No.  You can take courses anywhere as long as they meet the definitions for Type 1 or Type 2.

What is the best way to finish my renewal and take another course in my birth month toward my next renewal?  I want to attend the annual AOTA Conference and renew my license in April.

The best way is to renew a month or two before you birth month to have a separation from your renewal and the next renewal period.  

I have a license in another health related profession.  Can I use the hours for that profession for my renewal?

You can take any continuing education activity that meets the defintion for Type 1 or Type 2 toward your renewal, as long as it's not listed as "not allowed" in rule 362.2.