WAC 246-836-080:

246-836-040 << 246-836-080 >> 246-836-100

PDFWAC 246-836-080

Continuing competency program.

(1) General provisions. Each licensed naturopathic physician must complete 60 hours of continuing education related to the naturopathic scope of practice in Washington state every two years, as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.

(2)(a) A license holder's first 60 hour continuing education requirement is due on the third renewal date after the license is issued. After that, it is due every other year on the licensee's renewal date.

(b) A licensee may begin to accrue continuing education from the date of initial licensure and apply it toward the fulfillment of their first continuing education requirement.

(c) License reissuance. When applying for reissuance of an expired license, a naturopathic physician must attest to 60 hours of continuing education for the two years preceding the reissuance application. Upon reissuance, the licensee's continuing education sequence will resume based on the last active license continuing education cycle.

(3)(a) A licensee must complete a minimum of 15 continuing education hours over two years on the subject of pharmacology. Examples of eligible pharmacology course content include, but are not limited to:

(i) Legend substances as defined in RCW 69.41.010;

(ii) Controlled substances in chapter 69.50 RCW;

(iii) Biopharmacology, which is the study of medicinal or drug products manufactured in, extracted from, or semi-synthesized from biological sources;

(iv) Pharmacognosy, which is the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources;

(v) Contraindications or interactions of drug-to-drug, drug-to-herb, or drug-to-nutrient; or

(vi) Other subjects approved by the board.

(b) Acceptable documentation is information included on course completion certificates, transcripts, course descriptions, course brochures, or course registration forms.

(c) Pharmacology hours may be fulfilled through courses meeting the requirements in any category in subsection (5) of this section.

(4) Required continuing education topics. The hours spent completing required topics under this subsection count toward meeting any applicable continuing education requirements. Nothing in this subsection is intended to expand or limit the naturopathic scope of practice.

(a) Suicide prevention requirements. As part of continuing education and in accordance with RCW 43.70.442, a licensed naturopathic physician must complete a board-approved one-time training that is at least six hours long in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. This training must be completed by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure. Training accepted by the board must be on the department's model list developed in accordance with rules adopted by the department that establish minimum standards for training programs. A board-approved training must be at least six hours in length and may be provided in one or more sessions.

(b) Health equity requirements. As part of continuing education and in accordance with RCW 43.70.613, a licensed naturopathic physician must complete a minimum of two hours of training in health equity to address health inequities such as bias, racism, and poverty. A naturopathic physician fulfills this by complying with the requirements in WAC 246-12-800, 246-12-810, 246-12-820, and 246-12-830. Such training must be completed once every four years, beginning with the first full continuing education cycle due on or after January 1, 2024.

(5) Categories of creditable continuing education.

(a) Category 1. A licensee is required to obtain a minimum of 20 hours over two years in this category; however, all 60 hours may be earned in this category. Category 1 credit hours and activities include:

(i) Live-attended, both in-person and remote-attendance, education approved or offered by the following sources:

(A) American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP);

(B) Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (WANP);

(C) North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Accreditation Council (NANCEAC) through the Federation of Naturopathic Medicine Regulatory Authorities (FNMRA); or

(D) Naturopathic medicine academic institutions and scholarly organizations approved by the board according to WAC 246-836-150.

(ii) Prerecorded education meeting the requirement in (a)(i) of this subsection. To qualify for credit under this section the course must require the licensee to pass an examination in order to complete the course.

(iii) Completion of a one year residency accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) meets the full 60 hour continuing education requirement.

(b) Category 2. Category 2 credit hours and activities include:

(i) Live-attended, both in-person and remote-attendance, education relevant to various other health professions, however licensees may only claim those hours that have content consistent with naturopathic scope of practice in this state. Hours must be obtained through an entity that is accredited or nationally recognized, examples of which include, but are not limited to, courses accredited by:

(A) The accreditation council for continuing medical education (ACCME);

(B) The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); or

(ii) Prerecorded education meeting the requirement in (b)(i) of this subsection, however only content related to naturopathic scope of practice in this state may be claimed. To qualify for credit under this section the course must require the licensee to complete an examination in order to complete the course.

(iii) Teaching, lecturing, or serving as a residency director, which shall equate 40 hours worked to one continuing education hour.

(iv) Publishing in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal or textbook. Ten credit hours may be claimed for each paper, exhibit, publication, or chapter. Credit shall be claimed as of the date materials were presented or published.

(c) Category 3. A licensee may claim up to a maximum of five hours over two years in this category. Category 3 credit hours and activities include:

(i) Online study not otherwise specified above;

(ii) Multimedia education (CD/DVD);

(iii) Certification or recertification in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), neonatal resuscitation (NRP), or pediatric advanced life support (PALS);

(iv) Self-study including, but not limited to, board examination preparation or reading papers and publications where an assessment tool is required upon completion; and

(v) Courses in nonclinical practice topics, such as:

(A) Health promotion;

(B) Health care cost management;

(D) Regulatory affairs; or

(E) Professional ethics, disciplinary prevention, or jurisprudence. Licensees completing the board's jurisprudence examination may claim two hours for this activity. This activity can only be claimed once during a two year continuing education reporting cycle.

(vi) In-person or virtual attendance at a board of naturopathy business meeting. Each meeting counts for one hour. Acceptable documentation is the licensee's presence as recorded in the board's minutes or transcript.

(6) Documentation. A licensee must submit documentation upon request or audit. Acceptable documentation includes:

(a) Certificates of completion;

(b) Transcripts;

(d) Other records, which must include participant's name, course title, course content, dates, provider(s) name(s), and signature of sponsor or instructor.

(e) For self-study activities that do not offer documentation, licensees should keep lists with hours spent reading publications, papers, or articles; or hours spent preparing for specialty board examinations.

(7) Waiver or extension. In emergent or unusual situations, such as personal or family illness, the board may waive all or part of the continuing education requirement for a particular continuing education reporting period for an individual licensee if the board determines there is good cause. The board may also grant the licensee an extension period in order to meet the full requirement if the board determines there is good cause. Licensees requesting an extension must include a detailed plan on how they will obtain the deficient hours. Hours obtained for an extension only apply to the extension and cannot be used for any other continuing education reporting cycle. The board may require verification of the emergent or unusual situation as is necessary.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.160 and 43.70.613. WSR 24-02-062, § 246-836-080, filed 12/29/23, effective 1/29/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.160. WSR 19-08-032, § 246-836-080, filed 3/27/19, effective 1/1/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.160 and 43.70.442 as amended in 2014 and 2015. WSR 16-06-008, § 246-836-080, filed 2/18/16, effective 3/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.160, 2011 c 41, and 2011 c 40. WSR 12-13-104, § 246-836-080, filed 6/20/12, effective 7/21/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-836-080, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.060. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-836-080, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-836-080, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.36A.060. WSR 88-14-009 (Order PM 742), § 308-34-180, filed 6/24/88.]