CONTINUING COMPETENCY NYS Regulations for OTA and OT

Objectives Identify NYS Continuing Competency regulations Demonstrate understanding of how to comply with these regulations Identify NYS approved learning activities for continued competency Demonstrate the ability to use the NYSOTA Continuing Competency forms to document continuing competency activities Identify the differences between NYS Regulations and NBCOT

Professional Responsibility AOTA Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards (2010) Principle 5 - Procedural Justice F. Take responsibility for maintaining high standards and continuing competence in practice, education, and research by participating in professional development and educational activities to improve and update knowledge and skills. (AOTA, 2010)

What’s Required for NYS? Effective February 13, 2013, to renew your registration as an occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant, New York State Education Law requires the completion of 36 hours of continuing education during each 3-year registration period. http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/part76.htm#contcomp

What’s Required? 36 hours Continuing Competency hours (CCH) 24 hours MUST focus on one or more professional subjects 12 hours MAY focus on one or more related subjects At LEAST 24 hours on professional topics. Up to 12 hours can be on related topics

Professional Subjects These are subjects that contribute to continuing competency in the professional practice of occupational therapy.

Related Subjects Subjects which contribute to the health and welfare of the public, such as: legal or regulatory issues, reimbursement issues supervision, business practices health care, law, ethics professional responsibility

Approved Learning Activities Formal academic study, continuing education course and/or workshops Independent Study Mentoring Publication of a field related article or textbook Participation in a professional presentations Participation in a professional association and/or practice committee Participation in a professional study group

Approved Learning Activities See NYSOTA Approved Activity Chart

1. Formal Academic Study/CE/Workshops Courses, workshops, or seminars offered by an approved continuing education sponsor (NYSOTA, AOTA, NBCOT, IACET) .1 CEU = 1 continuing competency hour (CCH) 50 minutes non credit bearing = 1 (CCH) (non-CEU course)

1. Formal Academic Study/CE/Workshops Credit-bearing academic study offered by an accredited college or university. 1 semester-hour of credit = 15 CCH 1 quarter-hour of credit = 10 CCH

1. Formal Academic Study/CE/Workshops In-service training programs offered by an employer to its employees. Must be offered by an approved sponsor (NYSOTA, AOTA, NBCOT, IACET) Non credit bearing – 50 minutes = 1 CCH

1. Formal Academic Study/CE/Workshops Self-study Self study is structured study based on audio, audio-visual, written, on-line and other media. Must be offered by an approved sponsor.

1. Formal Academic Study/CE/Workshops No more than 2/3 or 24 hours of the continuing competency requirement may be completed through self-study. .1 CEU = 1 CCH 50 minutes non credit bearing = 1 CCH [NBCOT Self Assessment]

NYSOTA- Professional Development Log

2. Independent Study Self-initiated, goal-driven individualized professional study that is based on reading and research. Time spent doing research/reading etc., in preparation for supervising a FW student, may be used as independent study.

2. Independent Study Verification: You will need to create a narrative account of what was learned and an overall written evaluation of the learning activity. [NYSOTA Form] 3 hours of independent study = 1 CCH No more than 12 CCH may be completed through independent study.

NYSOTA- Independent Study Form

3. Mentoring Experience-based learning through a one-on- one mentorship, during which both the mentor and the learner may earn continuing competency hours. The mentorship shall provide a minimum of 15 hours of direct contact between the mentor and the mentee.

3. Mentoring Both mentor/mentee keep a record of: mentorship goals mentor’s teaching plan evaluation of the mentee mentee’s narrative account of what was learned evaluation of the mentorship

3. Mentoring The mentor must be licensed by the office of professions, and have at least 5 years of post-licensure experience in the subject of the mentorship. The learner must be a licensed OT or OTA. 15 Contact hours mentoring = 10 CCH Each mentoring relationship may earn a maximum of 10 cc hrs. No more than 18 CCH’s can be completed through mentorship.

NYSOTA – Mentoring Form

4. Publication of article or textbook Authorship of… Article published in a peer-reviewed journal Article published in a non-peer- reviewed journal Textbook related to occupational therapy

4. Publication of article or textbook A maximum of 10 CCH can be earned for primary or co-author for an article published in a peer-reviewed journal or a textbook . A maximum of 5 CCH can be earned for work as primary or co-author for an article in a non-peer-reviewed journal. Maximum 18 CCH for publications

4. Publication of article or textbook Related Activities Primary or co-primary investigator in research activities = max of 10 CCH Peer review of an article/textbook = max 5 CCH Developing instructional materials = max 5 CCH (EX: training manuals, multimedia, software programs)

NYSOTA – Publication Form

5. Participation in Professional Presentation A presentation by the licensee at a professional conference sponsored by an approved organization. Max 5 CCH per presentation.

6. Participation in a Professional Assoc. and/or Practice Committee Chairing a professional practice committee of an international, national, state or local professional association that has an established record of providing support and guidance for the practice of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.

6. Participation in a Professional Assoc. and/or Practice Committee A maximum of 5 CCH can be earned by a licensee serving as chair for a professional association or practice committee. Chairpersonship must be for a duration of at least 1 year within the registration period.

7. Participation in a Professional Study Group Requirements: 3 or more licensed OT/OTA’s Written goals Written study plan to meet these goals Written evaluation of the learning activity Maintain attendance records and meeting notes

7. Participation in a Professional Study Group Records must be retained by all participants 2 hrs of study group = 1 CCH Limit of 18 CCH can be completed through study group

NYSOTA – Study Group Form

Completed the review of the approved learning activities… So Far….we’ve… Completed the review of the approved learning activities… Moving on to… Renewal Process and comparison to NBCOT

BREAK?

Documentation required to renew? What documentation will you need to submit when it is time to renew your NYS license/certification? None.

Renewal Process As part of the renewal process, you will be asked if you have satisfactorily completed the required 36 continuing competency hours. If you have completed your 36 continuing competency hours, you will answer "yes". If you cannot meet this requirement, you must answer "no" and apply for an exemption or adjustment.

Exemptions OT/OTA’s are exempt from the continuing competency requirements during the first 3 year registration period directly following their initial licensure to practice occupational therapy in New York State. This exemption does not apply to NYS licensees who have been previously licensed in occupational therapy in another state or jurisdiction.

Adjustment An adjustment to the continuing competency requirement may be justified for licensees who can show “good cause” for their non- compliance.

Adjustments Good Cause includes but is not limited to….. Poor health A specific physical or mental disability Extended active duty with the Armed Forces Other good cause to be determined by the Department.

Maintaining Records If you get audited you will need to present the following: A learning plan for continuing competency that has a record of “current and anticipated goals.” A comprehensive list of completed learning activities [use NYSOTA Forms]

Maintaining Records The comprehensive list of completed learning activities, must include: Sponsor's name, and any identifying number as applicable, A written verification of attendance, if applicable, The date and location of the learning activity, The number of cc hours completed, Any additional recordkeeping requirements as applicable to other learning activities such as: independent study, mentorship, publication, presentation, or professional study group.

Maintaining Records Records must be retained for at least 6 years from the date of completion of the activity and shall be available for review by the Department.

NYS vs. NBCOT Both accept CEUs for all 36 CCH or PDU NBCOT has more options Both accept CEUs for all 36 CCH or PDU

NYS vs. NBCOT Discrepancies Fieldwork Supervision NYS accepts work in preparation for FW supervision as Independent Study NBCOT accepts FW supervision for PDU [see NBCOT PDU Chart]

(Independent learning without an assessment component) NYS vs. NBCOT Discrepancies Mentoring NYS-1.5 contact hrs = 1 CCH NBCOT- 2 contact hrs = 1PDU (Independent learning without an assessment component) Both allow max of 18 CCH/PDU for 3 yr cycle.

NYS vs. NBCOT Discrepancies Independent study NYS – 3 hours = 1 CCH – total 12 NBCOT- 2 hours= 1 PDU – total 18

(*note up to 10 CCH’s for specific activities) NYS vs. NBCOT Discrepancies Publishing NYS – total of 18 CCH* for 3 yr (*note up to 10 CCH’s for specific activities) NBCOT – total of 36 PDU for 3 yr

In Conclusion…. Continuing competency is not only a professional responsibility, it’s now the Law in NYS Learn the regulations

In Conclusion…. A Learning Plan is required by each licensee that includes the following: Record current and anticipated goals Record a comprehensive list of acceptable learning activities completed including specific information such as: 1. The sponsor’s name and identifying number if any 2. Written verification of attendance 3. Date and location of learning activity 4. Number of continuing competency hours

In Conclusion …. Set goals & keep a record of your activities If you are not sure if or how to “count” an activity, contact NYSED - otbd@mail.nysed.gov

Frequently Asked Questions 1. When renewing your license, if an individual has more than the required 36 continuing competency hours, can any of the extra be used for the next 3 yr cycle? Unfortunately, this type of "carry over" of credit hours cannot be done. [Education Law 7908(2)(a).]

Frequently Asked Questions 3. Employer in-services (from an employer that is not an approved sponsor), may be used as Independent Study, with the proper documentation of the learning activity? Yes, content must be a professional or related subject.

Frequently Asked Questions 4. How would my employer become an approved sponsor? See: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/part76.htm#contcomp

References http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/otcco.htm AOTA (2010). Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards (2010). American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 64:S17-S26; doi:10.5014/ajot.2010.64S17