al-al-6a3ea1205ba62fc44adfdac3: 798-X-8 — Continuing Education for Licensure

APA-1 TRANSMITTAL SHEET FOR NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION Control No.: 798 Department or Agency: Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy Rule No.: Chapter 798-X-8 Rule Title: Continuing Education for Licensure Intended Action: Amend Would the absence of the proposed rule significantly harm or No endanger the public health, welfare, or safety? Is there a reasonable relationship between the state’s police power and the protection of the public health, safety, or welfare? Yes Is there another, less restrictive method of regulation available No that could adequately protect the public? Does the proposed rule have the effect of directly or indirectly increasing the costs of any goods or services involved? No To what degree?: N/A Is the increase in cost more harmful to the public than the harm that might result from the absence of the proposed rule? NA purpose of, and so they have, as their primary effect, thefor the Yes protection of the public? Does the proposed action relate to or affect in any manner any matter of the proposed rule?is a party to concerning the subject No Does the proposed rule have an economic impact? No accompanied by a fiscal note prepared in accordance with subsection (f) of Section 41-22-23, Code of Alabama 1975. Certification of Authorized Official I certify that the attached proposed rule has been proposed in full compliance conforms to all applicable filing requirements of the Administrative Proceduret it Division of the Legislative Services Agency. Signature of certifying officer Elizabe Sh han Elizabeth Sheehan & F IL E D Monday, September 21, 2026 ’D Date SE P 21, 2026 LE G ISL A TIVE S VC A G EN C Y APA-2 ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION AGENCY NAME: Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy RULE NO. & TITLE: Chapter 798-X-8 Continuing Education for Licensure INTENDED ACTION: Amend SUBSTANCE OF PROPOSED ACTION: The purpose of the proposed rule is to amend typographical errors, allow for continuing education credits for preceptorships outside of Alabama, and allow four (4) hours credit for life support training to apply to continuing education. TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF PRESENTING VIEWS: Address: 400 South Union Street, Suite 245 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-265-7125 (phone) board@asbrt.alabama.gov (email) FINAL DATE FOR COMMENT AND COMPLETION OF NOTICE: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 CONTACT PERSON AT AGENCY: Paula Little, Assistant Director 334-265-7125 board@asbrt.alabama.gov Elizabe Sh han Elizabeth Sheehan (Signature of officer authorized to promulgate and adopt rules or his or her deputy) ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 798-X-8 CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LICENSURE TABLE OF CONTENTS 798-X-8-.01 Continuing Education 798-X-8-.02 Standards For Continuing Education 798-X-8-.03 Reporting Requirements And Audit 798-X-8-.01 Continuing Education. (1) A respiratory therapist shall be individually accountable for continued competence to practice respiratory therapy and shall maintain documentation to support all continuing education necessary for renewal. (2) The Board may prescribe a continuing education program for reentry into practice. (3) Individual requests to verify approval for a specific course or activity may be submitted to a Board-approved provider. (4) Units of measure for continuing education shall be: (a) 1 contact hour = 50 minutes (b) 0.5 contact hour = 25 minutes (c) 15 contact hours = 1 academic semester credit hour (d) 10 contact hours = 1 academic quarter credit hour (5) Hours required. (a) Each respiratory therapist licensed by the Board shall complete twenty-four (24) contact hours of continuing education over the two-year licensure period. Initial licensure periods which have been prorated to have the renewal date fall on the established renewal date will be prorated for 1 contact hour for each month of the initial licensure periods. Any course accepted for credit shall be at least 25 minutes in length. 8-1 (b) For new graduates of respiratory therapy programs, submitting proof of successful completion of a respiratory therapy program accredited by CoARC shall be proof of sufficient preparatory education to receive an initial license up to one year following graduation. (6) Waiver or extension of continuing education (a) The Board may grant a waiver of the need to attend and complete the required hours of continuing education or the Board may grant an extension of the deadline to complete the required hours of continuing education if it can be shown that compliance was beyond the control of the person seeking the waiver. (b) Waivers or extension of the deadline will be considered only on an individual basis and may be requested by submitting the following items to the Board office: (i) A written request for a waiver or deadline extension which specifies which requirements are sought to be waived or which deadline is sought to be extended and a written and signed explanation of the reason for the request; and (ii) Any documentation which supports the reason(s) for the waiver or deadline extension requested or which is subsequently requested by the Board. (c) A waiver or deadline extension approved by the Board is effective only for the renewal period for which the waiver is sought. Author: The Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-27B-1 thru 34-27B-17. History: New Rule: Filed May 16, 2005; refilled August 10, 2005; effective September 14, 2005. Amended: Filed July 5, 2017; effective August 19, 2017. 798-X-8-.02 Standards For Continuing Education. (1) Any educational program approved for CRCE units by the AARC shall be acceptable with one contact hour assigned for each CRCE unit awarded. (2) The Board or another organization recognized by the Board may approve providers of continuing education based on criteria established in Chapter 798-X-8-.03. 8-2 (3) The AARC or ASRC continuing education activities, which pertain to the practice of respiratory care, shall be considered prior approved, providing they meet all other requirements for contact hours. (4) The following additional methods may be utilized for obtaining continuing education hours: (a) By taking and passing (with a grade of C or better) a college or university course which comprises part of the professional requirements for a formal respiratory therapy education program beyond those that were completed for the issuance of the original license, or any course that shall enhance a respiratory therapist’s professional growth and development. (b) By taking and passing training courses (either initial, renewal, or instructor courses) on advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), or neonatal resuscitation programs (NRP). No more than 12four (4) total non-traditional contact hours of continuing education units of advanced life support training may be applied for renewal of license. (c) By completing a self -study course, such as a course offered on the internet, which has been approved by the AARC or the Board for a specific number of continuing education hours. No more than 12 contact hours of continuing education units of self -study may be applied for renewal of license.