SECTION .0400 - CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSE HOLDERS

21 NCAC 61 .0401 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

(a) Upon application for license renewal, a licensee shall attest to having completed one or more of the following learning activity options during the preceding renewal cycle and be prepared to submit evidence of completion if requested by the Board in accordance with Rule 21 NCAC 61 .0402:

(1) The licensee shall complete twelve credit hours to include a minimum of six hours of traditional and a maximum of six non-traditional Category I Continuing Education (CE) activities related to the licensee's practice of respiratory care or complete the requirements in Paragraph (b) of this rule during any renewal cycle:

(A) Traditional Continuing Education – an organized learning experience presented before an audience either in person or through synchronous virtual workshops, panels, seminars, lectures, or symposiums that provide for direct interaction between the speakers and the participants; and

(B) Non-Traditional Continuing Education - an organized learning experience provided by any print medium or presented through the internet or other electronic asynchronous formats.

(2) All continuing education courses shall:

(A) Be approved by the Board, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or organizations accredited by the ACCME;

(B) Include relevant subject matter and course materials that are scientifically accurate, relevant, and professionally appropriate;

(C) Contribute to the advancement, extension, and enhancement of professional clinical skills, scientific knowledge in the practice of respiratory care, and provide experiences;

(D) Advance, extend, or enhance clinical skills and scientific knowledge related to the practice of respiratory care; and

(E) Be developed and presented by persons with education and experience in the subject matter of the program.

(b) The completion of any of the following activities satisfies all twelve continuing education credits established in Paragraph (a) of this Rule provided the licensee provides evidence of successful completion when requested by the Board in accordance with Rule 21 NCAC 61 .0402:

(1) Achieving a passing score on any examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), including passing the:

(A) Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination at the high cut score;

(B) Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialty Examination (NPS);

(D) Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) exam;

(E) Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination;

(F) Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Examination;

(G) Asthma Educators Certification Examination (AE-C); and

(H) Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist Outcome Assessment Examination.

(2) Achieving a passing score on the Registry Examination for Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), administered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT);

(3) Completing a Respiratory Care refresher course approved by the Board;

(4) Completing a three semester hour course from an accredited post-licensure respiratory care program leading to a baccalaureate, masters or doctorate degree in Respiratory Care, Cardiopulmonary Science, or Advance Practice Respiratory Therapy;

(5) Presenting a Respiratory Care Research study at a continuing education conference; or

(6) Authoring a published Respiratory Care book or Respiratory Care article published in a medical peer review journal.

(c) The following activities may be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements in Paragraph (a) of this Rule, provided the licensee submits documentation of completion upon request by the Board, in accordance with Rule 21 NCAC 61 .0402:

(1) Professional Certifications-completion or renewal of the following certifications shall be awarded five of the six direct continuing education hours when provided in accordance with Paragraph (a) of this rule per renewal period. No more than five total hours may be credited per renewal period under this Subparagraph:

(A) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) by the American Heart Association;

(B) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) by the American Heart Association; and

(2) Clinical Precepting-a licensee who serves as a clinical preceptor for respiratory therapy students in a clinical setting may receive up to three direct interaction credit hours per renewal period.

(3) NBRC Credential Assessments- quarterly assessments through the NBRC credential maintenance program that earn a maximum of six non-traditional credit hours for each renewal cycle for any credential held by a licensee.

(d) A license issued under 21 NCAC 61 .0306 is exempt from this Rule provided they maintain an active license in their home state of record.

History Note: Authority G.S. 90-652(2)(13); 90-658; 90-660(b)(9); 90‑655;

Temporary Adoption Eff. October 15, 2001;

Eff. August 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2015; September 1, 2010; July 1, 2007; April 1, 2004;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. August 22, 2015;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2026.