PDFWAC 388-71-0990

Who is required to complete continuing education training, how many hours are required each year, and under what circumstances may the long-term care worker not be paid?

(1) The following long-term care workers must complete 12 hours of continuing education by their birthday each year unless exempt from continuing education as described in WAC 388-71-1001:
(a) A certified home care aide;
(b) A long-term care worker who is exempt from home care aide certification as described in RCW 18.88B.041;
(c) A certified nursing assistant;
(d) A person with special education training and an endorsement granted by the Washington state office of superintendent of public instruction, as described in RCW 28A.300.010.
(2) The continuing education requirements of this section do not apply to a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, even if voluntarily certified as a home care aide under chapter 18.88B RCW.
(3) A long-term care worker or certified home care aide who did not complete the continuing education requirements by the time frame described in this section or in WAC 388-71-0991 must not be paid to provide care after that date and must not be reinstated as a long-term care worker until the worker has completed the continuing education requirements.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.20.270, 70.128.230, 74.08.090, 74.39A.070, and 74.39A.074. WSR 23-01-022, § 388-71-0990, filed 12/9/22, effective 1/9/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520, 43.43.832, 74.39A.270, 74.39A.056, 74.39A.074, 43.20A.710, 74.39A.525, 43.43.842, 74.39A.326, 74.39A.515, 74.39A.505, 18.88B.021, 43.43.837 and 2018 c 278. WSR 21-18-081, § 388-71-0990, filed 8/30/21, effective 10/1/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. WSR 13-02-023, § 388-71-0990, filed 12/20/12, effective 1/20/13.]