Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-11. Continuing education requirements
(a) On or before the thirtieth day of June of even years, every person licensed to practice speech-language pathology and/or audiology within Rhode Island shall complete not less than twenty (20) clock hours of continuing education within the preceding two (2) years and be able to present satisfactory evidence of completion to the department.
(1) Course descriptions, proof of attendance, or other documentation of completion shall be retained by the licensee for a minimum of four (4) years and is subject to random audit by the department.
(2) Activities approved by the board for continuing education credit are those sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), a state department of education, other International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)-authorized providers, and/or continuing medical education units (CMEs) from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Approved activities may include conferences, seminars, self-study programs, courses, or workshops sponsored by the organizations noted above, or course work from an accredited institution.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-11
- Audiology: means the audiologist applies the principles, methods, and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of the hearing and balance systems, to related language and speech disorders, and to aberrant behavior related to hearing loss. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-3
- Board: means the state board of examiners of speech-language pathology and audiology established pursuant to § 5-48-2. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-3
- Department: means the Rhode Island department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-3
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: means an individual, partnership organization, or corporation, except that only individuals can be licensed under this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-3
- Speech-language pathology: means the activities defined in § 5-48-1 and in this section. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-48.2-3
(b) Those persons holding licensure in both speech-language pathology and audiology must have completed and have evidence of completion of not less than thirty (30) clock hours of continuing education within the preceding two (2) years.
(c) Continuing education hours may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next.
(d)(1) Continuing education hours must be in accordance with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s requirements including at least two (2) hours in cultural competency, cultural humility, culturally responsive practice or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and at least one hour in the area of ethics.
(2) If the licensee is acting as a clinical supervisor, a minimum of two (2) hours of professional development in clinical instruction/supervision is required.
(e) Speech-language pathologists or audiologists initially licensed by examination after the July 1 renewal date shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements stated in this section until the date of the next renewal cycle (i.e., June 30 of the second year following its issuance).
(f) The board, at its discretion, may extend, reduce, or waive for a person the requirement for continuing education for hardship or other extenuating circumstances as the board deems appropriate.
History of Section.
P.L. 2023, ch. 221, § 1, effective June 21, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 222, § 1, effective June 21, 2023.