(1) The continuing education training requirements that apply to certain individuals working in assisted living facilities are described below.

(a) The following long-term care workers must complete 12 hours of continuing education by their birthday each year:

(i) A certified home care aide;

(ii) A long-term care worker who is exempt from the 70-hour home care aide basic training under WAC 388-112A-0090 (1) and (2);

(iii) A certified nursing assistant;

(iv) 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; and

(v) An assisted living facility administrator or the administrator designee as provided under WAC 388-112A-0060.

(b) A long-term care worker, who is a certified home care aide must comply with continuing education requirements under chapter 246-980 WAC.

(c) The continuing education requirements of this section do not apply to a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, and 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.

(d) If exempt from certification under RCW 18.88B.041, a long-term care worker must complete and provide documentation of 12 hours of continuing education within 45 calendar days of being hired by the assisted living facility or by the long-term care worker's birthday in the calendar year hired, whichever is later; and

(i) Must complete 12 hours of continuing education by the long-term care worker's birthday each calendar year worked thereafter; or

(ii) If the 45 calendar day time period allows the long-term care worker to complete continuing education in January or February of the following year, the credit hours earned will be applied to the calendar year in which the long-term care worker was hired.

(e) If the birthday following initial certification as a home care aide or nursing assistant (NA-C) is less than a full year from the date of initial certification, no continuing education will be due for the first renewal period.

(2) A long-term care worker who does not complete continuing education as required under this chapter must not provide care until the required continuing education is completed.