Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE › Division 2150 - State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts › Chapter 4 - Licensing of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists › Section 20 CSR 2150-4.054 - Continuing Education Extensions

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule details the requirements for
				  licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists requesting an extension
				  of time to complete the required continuing education hours necessary for
				  licensure renewal.
(1) A
				licensee who cannot complete the required hours of continuing education because
				of personal illness, military service or other circumstances beyond the
				licensee's control which the board deems to be sufficient to impose an
				insurmountable hardship may apply for an extension of time to complete the
				continuing education requirements. Any extension of time to complete the
				continuing education requirements will be granted solely in the discretion of
				the board. The licensee must make a written application for extension of time
				prior to the December 31 deadline for completion of the continuing education
				requirement. The application for extension shall be accompanied by a processing
				fee as specified in rule
				20
				CSR 2150-4.060, together with the application for
				extension. The licensee shall provide full and complete written documentation
				of the grounds supporting the reasons for which an extension is sought. A
				licensee who requests an extension of time to complete the required hours of
				continuing education shall not engage in active practice of speech-language
				pathology and/or audiology until the board grants the licensee's request for
				extension and the licensee receives express written authorization to do so.
(A) Military service extensions may be
				granted only to a licensee who was absent from the United States for at least a
				majority of the reporting period due to his/her military service commitment
				under combat circumstances or pursuant to a state of national emergency. At a
				minimum, the licensee must submit written documentation from the appropriate
				military authorities verifying the licensee's military service commitment and
				the periods during which the commitment was being fulfilled under a combat or
				national emergency status; the number of hours earned during the reporting
				period and a plan for completing the balance of the required continuing
				education.
(B) Illness extensions
				may be granted only to a licensee who has suffered a personal illness or
				personal disability of a nature as to prevent him/her from engaging in the
				active practice of speech-language pathology and/or audiology for at least a
				majority of the reporting period. At a minimum, the licensee shall provide the
				board with written documentation from the licensee's treating physician stating
				the nature of the illness or disability, the period of the illness or
				disability, any limitations on the licensee's activities which resulted from
				the illness or disability; and a statement from the licensee reporting the
				number of hours earned in the reporting period and a plan for completing the
				balance of the required continuing education.
(C) The board, solely in its discretion, may
				grant an extension on unforeseeable circumstances beyond the licensee's control
				which impose an insurmountable hardship precluding the licensee from obtaining
				the required continuing education. At a minimum, the licensee must provide
				written documentation explaining specifically and in detail the nature of the
				circumstances, why the circumstances were unforeseeable and beyond the
				licensee's control, the period during which the circumstances were in
				existence, the number of continuing education hours earned in the reporting
				period and the licensee's plan for completing the balance of the required
				continuing education. The board, in its discretion, shall determine if the
				situation described in the licensee's application constitutes unforeseeable
				circumstances beyond the licensee's control which impose an insurmountable
				hardship precluding the licensee from obtaining the required continuing
				education.