PERL 2 – Procedural Changes Continuing Education Accrediting Agencies (AAs) September 7, 2017 California Department of Public Health

The Current Process Licensees and certificate holders complete continuing education (CE) courses. Licensees and certificate holders report their completed CE courses on the LAB 177 form that is submitted as part of their renewal applications. Laboratory Field Services (LFS) staff review the LAB 177 form to determine if CE courses were completed within the appropriate timeframes, and were given by LFS-approved AAs or accredited colleges or universities.

Upcoming Changes Updates to LFS’ online application system, PERL, will be introduced on October 16, 2017. Licensees and certificate holders will be able to submit renewal applications online. LFS will notify renewal applicants shortly that they will be required to provide CE certificates or transcripts as part of their renewal applications, to prove completion of valid CE. LFS will conduct random quality assurance checks to ensure that renewal applicants have provided valid CE certificates or transcripts. LFS will notify renewal applicants if their applications are incomplete due to CE deficiencies. LFS will only approve renewal applications for which the appropriate amount of valid CE units have been completed.

Effects on AAs AAs may see an increase in business, as LFS’ stricter CE standards will ensure that licensees and certificate holders adhere to the renewal requirements regarding CE. AAs will be required to submit an initial CE participant report (followed by monthly reports) to LFS, for all courses relevant to California clinical laboratory science, including the following information: first and last names of CE participants; license/certificate numbers (if known); dates of completion; location (on-campus or online); subject matter; and number of CE units awarded

Effects on AAs, cont. AAs may be contacted on a case-by-case basis to verify the completion of CE courses reported by renewal applicants. AAs may experience higher volumes of requests for reprinted CE certificates, as they will be required for the submission of renewal applications.

Timeline & Requirements By October 1, 2017, LFS will issue a written notice and sample Excel sheet to assist AAs in creating their CE participant reports. AAs will create the “initial” CE participant report, and all subsequent “monthly” reports as Excel documents, and email them to: LFSCLSCEProvider@cdph.ca.gov. November 5, 2017 - initial two-year reports due to LFS (for CE units granted between October 1, 2015 to October 31, 2017) Starting December 5, 2017 – subsequent monthly reports due on the 5th of each month (e.g. CE units granted in November, 2017 will be reported no later than December 5, 2017) *Note – LFS will be requiring CE certificates for all renewals submitted October 16, 2017 or later.

Questions? Please send an email to: LFSCLSCEProvider@cdph.ca.gov