Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Hearing Aid Specialists
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B6-5.001: Continuing Education as a Condition for Renewal
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed changes will require in person attendance at all continuing education courses and will require HIV/AIDS for the first renewal only.
SUMMARY: The rule amendment requires all continuing education classes to be in person and requires all licensees to take a live 2-hour course on HIV/AIDS prior to the first licensure renewal period.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: A statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed changes to the rule are not expected to have an impact on small business.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.013(6), (8), 484.044, 484.047(1), (4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(7), 484.047(4) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B6-5.001 Continuing Education as a Condition for Renewal.

(1) As a condition of the biennial renewal of an active license, each hearing aid specialist shall attend and certify attending 20 credit hours (per biennium) of Board approved continuing education which are relevant to, and which enhance, the licensee’s ability to dispense hearing aids. Attendance at continuing education courses shall be in person. Board-approved means approved by a chairman-appointed committee of one, or as specified by subsection 64B6-5.002(1), F.A.C. Continuing education courses, or portions thereof, which are devoted to content areas other than those identified in Rule 64B6-8.003, F.A.C., or risk management, shall not be approved for continuing education credit. Effective for the biennium beginning in 2001, these certified hours shall include two hours per biennium relating to hearing aid laws and rules.

(a) through (b) No change.

(2) No change.

(3) Each licensee shall be required to complete no later than upon first renewal that requires continuing education, a two-hour course on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Each licensee may take up to four (4) hours Hearing Aid Specialistattend and certify attending two (2) hours and may take up to four (4) hours per biennium of continuing education which includes the topics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and other communicable illness to protect both the recipient and dispenser; modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical management, and prevention of any communicable illness. Such continuing education shall be accepted by the Board toward the continuing education requirement. Dually-licensed individuals, under Chapter 456, F.S., shall only be required to take one HIV/AIDS course to satisfy the continuing education requirements for this Board.

(4) Each licensee as part of the renewal process Hearing Aid Specialist shall attend and certify attending a Board-approved two-hour continuing education course relating to the prevention of medical errors. Licensees who are licensed under other professions regulated by Chapter 456, F.S., shall only be required to take one medical errors course to satisfy the continuing education requirements for this Board. The two-hour course shall count toward the total number of continuing education hours required for license renewal.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 456.013(6), (8), 484.044, 484.047(1), (4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(7), 484.047(4) FS. History–New 4-1-85, Formerly 21JJ-15.001, Amended 8-5-87, 4-8-90, 8-21-90, 8-19-91, Formerly 21JJ-5.005, Amended 11-20-95, Formerly 61G9-5.005, Amended 9-23-99, 6-28-00, 11-9-00, 2-19-03, 3-4-08, ________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Hearing Aid Specialists
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Hearing Aid Specialists
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 14, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 19, 2008