Purpose: RCW 18.30.065 (HB 2309, section 5, chapter 160, Laws of 2002) required the Board of Denturists (board) to adopt rules for continuing competency requirements as a condition of license renewal. The rule clarifies what activities and coursework the board will accept to fulfill the continuing competency requirements.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.30.065.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-17-048 on August 9, 2005.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Vicki Brown, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, phone (360) 236-4865, fax (360) 664-9077, e-mail vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: September 30, 2005.

Bruce C. Anderson, Chair

Board of Denturists

OTS-7861.2

NEW SECTION
WAC 246-812-020   Continuing competency requirements.   (1) Purpose. The board in agreement with the secretary of the department of health has determined that the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state will be served by requiring all denturists, licensed under chapter 18.30 RCW, to continue their professional development via continuing competency after receiving their licenses.

     (2) Effective date. The effective date for the continuing competency requirements for denturists is January 1, 2006. The reporting cycle for verifying completion of continuing competency hours will begin on January 1, 2008, and each renewal date thereafter.

     (3) Requirements. A licensed denturist must complete thirty clock hours of continuing competency, every two years, prior to his or her biennial renewal date. The licensee must sign a declaration attesting to the completion of the required number of hours as part of the biennial renewal requirement. The department of health may randomly audit up to twenty-five percent of practitioners for compliance with these rules, after the credential is renewed as allowed by chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.

     (4) Acceptable continuing competency -- Qualification of courses for continuing competency credit. The board will not authorize or approve specific continuing competency courses. Continuing competency course work must contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the practitioner, or enhance services provided to clients.

     For the purposes of this chapter, acceptable continuing competency means courses offered or authorized by industry recognized state, local, private, national and international organizations, agencies or institutions of higher learning. Examples of sponsors or types of continuing competency courses include, but are not limited to:

     (a) Courses offered or sponsored by the Washington State Denturist Association.

     (b) Basic first aid, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, or emergency related training such as courses offered or authorized by the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society; training offered or sponsored by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA); or any other organizations or agencies.

     (c) All forms of educational media related to denturism, available through internet, mail or independent reading, that include an assessment tool upon completion, may not exceed ten hours for the two-year period.

     (d) A licensee who serves as a teacher or who lectures in continuing competency programs and/or courses, that contribute to the professional competence of a licensed denturist may accumulate the same number of hours obtained by licensed denturists attending the program and/or course may not exceed sixteen hours for the two-year period.

     (e) Attendance at a continuing competency program with a featured speaker(s) may not exceed sixteen hours for the two-year period.

     (f) Time spent preparing an original technical or clinical article for a professional publication may not exceed twelve hours for the two-year period.

     (g) Nonclinical courses relating to denturist practice organization and management, patient management, or methods of health delivery may not exceed eight hours for the two-year period.

     (h) Estate planning, financial planning, investments, and personal health courses are not acceptable.

     (5) The board may disallow any claim of credit for a continuing competency course that does not meet the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.

     (6) Failure to complete the continued competency requirements by time of license renewal, or failure to provide adequate documentation of completion, is grounds for denying renewal of his or her license until such time as the licensee demonstrates compliance.

     (7) Documentation required. Credit for a continuing competency course may not be claimed by a licensee unless the course organizer provides the licensee with documentation of course attendance.

     (8) Exceptions. The following are exceptions from the continuing competency requirements:

     Upon a showing of good cause by the licensee, the board may waive the licensee from any, all, or part of the continuing competency requirements in this chapter or may grant additional time for the licensee to complete the requirements. Good cause includes, but is not limited to:

     (a) Illness;

     (b) Medical necessity or family emergency;

     (c) Hardship to practice; or

     (d) Other extenuating circumstances.

     (9) The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7, related to continuing competency.

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