201 KAR 32:060. Continuing education requirements

      Section 1. Accrual of Continuing Education Hours; Computation of Accrual. (1) Effective January 1, 2017, a minimum of fifteen (15) approved continuing education hours shall be accrued by each licensee and a minimum of ten (10) approved continuing education hours shall be accrued by each associate during each one (1) year renewal period.

      (2) All hours shall be in "the practice of marriage and family therapy" as defined by KRS 335.300(4) and shall relate to the professional application of psychotherapeutic and systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families.

      (3) Three (3) hours of the fifteen (15) hours required by subsection (1) of this section shall be accrued in the field of professional ethics.

      (4) Commencing on January 1, 2017, each licensee and associate shall be required to show proof of completion of six (6) hours of continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment, and management every six (6) years beginning January 1, 2015 as required by KRS 210.366. These hours shall be in addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this section unless preapproved by the board as meeting the requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this section or meets requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation.

      (5) Within three (3) years of initial licensure or certification, all mental health professionals shall successfully complete a three (3) hour training that covers dynamics of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; effects of domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation on adult and child victims; legal remedies for protection; lethality and risk issues; model protocols for addressing domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; available community resources and victim services and reporting requirements as required by KRS 194.540.

 

      Section 2. Methods of Acquiring Continuing Education Hours. Continuing education hours applicable to the renewal of the license or permit shall be directly related to the professional growth and development of marriage and family therapy practitioners and associates. Education hours shall be earned by completing any of the educational activities established in this subsection.

      (1) Programs not requiring board review and approval. Programs from the following sources shall be deemed to be relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy and shall be approved without further review by the board:

      (a) Programs provided or approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and its state affiliates;

      (b) Academic courses as defined in 201 KAR 32:010; and

      (c) Continuing education programs offered by Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education accredited institutions.

      (2) Programs requiring board review and approval. Programs from the following sources shall be reviewed and may be determined to be relevant and subsequently approved by the board:

      (a) Relevant programs including online study courses, manualized training, and face-to-face workshops, by other organizations, educational institutions, or other service providers approved by the board;

      (b) Relevant programs or academic courses presented by the licensee. Presenters of relevant programs or academic courses may earn full continuing education credit for each contact hour of instruction, not to exceed one-half (1/2) of the continuing education renewal requirements. Credit shall not be issued for repeated instruction of the same course; and

      (c) Relevant publications in a professionally recognized or juried publication. Credit shall not be granted except for those publications that were published within the one (1) year period immediately preceding the renewal date. A licensee shall earn one-half (1/2) of the continuing education hours required for a relevant publication. More than one (1) publication shall not be counted during each renewal period.

 

      Section 3. Continuing Education Sponsors. (1) Any entity seeking to obtain approval of a continuing education program prior to its offering shall pay the fee as established in 201 KAR 32:030, Section 7, and submit an Application for Continuing Education Sponsor Approval to the board at least sixty (60) days in advance of the program. The application shall include the:

      (a) Type of learning activity;

      (b) Subject matter;

      (c) Names and qualifications of the instructors; and

      (d) Number of continuing education hours offered.

      (2) A continuing education activity shall be qualified for preapproval if the activity being presented:

      (a) Is an organized program of learning;

      (b) Pertains to subject matters that integrally relate to the practice of marriage and family therapy;

      (c) Contributes to the professional competency of the licensee or associate; and

      (d) Is conducted by individuals who have relevant educational training or experience.

 

      Section 4. Responsibilities and Reporting Requirements of Licensees and Associates. (1) Licensees and associates shall:

      (a) Be responsible for obtaining required continuing education hours;

      (b) Identify personal continuing education needs;

      (c) Take the initiative in seeking continuing professional education activities to meet these needs; and

      (d) Seek ways to integrate new knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

      (2) Each person holding a license or permit shall:

      (a) Select approved activities by which to earn continuing education hours;

      (b) If seeking approval for continuing education from a program not already approved pursuant to Section 3 of this administrative regulation and not exempted from requiring board approval pursuant to Section 2(1) of this administrative regulation, submit an application to the board for consideration. The application shall include the:

      1. Agenda that is detailed, timed, and includes topics and presenters;

      2. Presenter’s biography, including education;

      3. Credentials of all presenters;

      4. All presenters’ experience related to topic;

      5. Description of training; and

      6. Objectives and goals;

      (c) Maintain records of continuing education hours. Each licensee and associate shall maintain, for a period of one (1) year from the date of renewal, all documentation verifying successful completion of continuing education hours. During each renewal period, up to fifteen (15) percent of all licensees and associates shall be required by the board to furnish documentation of the completion of the appropriate number of continuing education hours for the current renewal period. Verification of continuing education hours shall not otherwise be reported to the board;

      (d) Document attendance and participation in a continuing education activity in the form of official documents including transcripts, certificates, or affidavits signed by instructors. The type of documentation required shall vary depending on the specific activity submitted to the board for approval; and

      (e) Fully comply with the provisions of this administrative regulation. Failure to comply shall constitute a violation of KRS 335.340(7) and may result in the refusal to renew, suspension, or revocation of the license or permit.

 

      Section 5. Carry-over of Continuing Education Hours, Prohibited. There shall not be a carry-over of continuing education hours earned in excess of those required under Section 1 of this administrative regulation into the immediately following renewal period.

 

      Section 6. Board to Approve Continuing Education Hours; Appeal Upon Approval Denial. In the event of denial, in whole or part, of any application for approval of continuing education hours, the licensee or associate shall have the right to request reconsideration by the board of its decision. The request shall be in writing and shall be received by the board within thirty (30) days after the date of the board’s decision denying approval of continuing education hours.

 

      Section 7. Waiver or Extensions of Continuing Education. (1) The board may, in individual cases involving medical disability, illness, or undue hardship, grant waivers of the minimum continuing education requirements or extensions of time within which to fulfill the same or make the required reports.

      (2) A request for waiver or extension shall be in writing and submitted within the renewal grace period.

      (3) A written request for waiver or extension of time involving medical disability or illness shall be submitted by the licensee or associate accompanied by a verifying document signed by a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner, and shall be received by the board within the grace period.

      (4) A waiver of the minimum continuing education requirements or an extension of time within which to fulfill the continuing education requirements may be granted by the board for a period of time not to exceed one (1) calendar year.

      (5) If the medical disability or illness upon which a waiver or extension has been granted continues beyond the period of the waiver or extension, the licensee or associate shall reapply for the waiver or extension in writing prior to the expiration of the previous extension or waiver.

 

      Section 8. Incorporation by Reference. (1) "Application for Continuing Education Program Sponsor Approval", 10/2011 Edition, Board of Marriage and Family Therapists, is incorporated by reference.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Division of Occupations and Professions, 911 Leawood Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (23 Ky.R. 215; Am. 1584; eff. 9-18-1996; 26 Ky.R. 426; 728; eff. 10-20-1999; 30 Ky.R. 981; 1766; eff. 1-23-2004; 38 Ky.R. 1378; 1557; eff. 3-21-2012; 42 Ky.R. 509; 1557; 1722; eff. 12-16-2015.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 194.540, 210.366, 335.300(4), 335.340

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 335.320(4), (9), 335.340(7)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 335.340(7) authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations to establish the fees and other requirements for a permit as a marriage and family therapist and associate. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for continuing education and the methods and standards for the accreditation of continuing education courses.