CEU Provider Information

Instructor Qualifications:

Each program presented for Louisiana CEU credits shall be taught by a person who holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered; or has completed at least five years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; or has completed at least 100 hours of non-entry level education in the subject matter to be offered and has a minimum of two years of professional experience in the subject.

Course Content Requirements:

Each course should be registered and approved by the Board and shall be relevant to and focus of massage theory, practice, methods, or laws, regulations, business or ethical principles pertaining  to   the  practice  of   massage  therapy  or   the operation  of  a  massage  therapy  business  and  shall  have stated learning objective No Louisiana CEU credits will be approved for programs that include – instruction in diagnosis; the treatment of illness or disease; or any service or procedure that otherwise exceeds the scope of the practice of massage therapy as defined in Louisiana Law.

One Hour of Continuing Education is no less than 50 uninterrupted minutes of instruction, with no credit to be given  for  introduction  of  the  speaker,  meal  breaks  or business  meetings.  Sessions  of  less  than  50  minutes  but more than 30 minutes shall be counted as 1/2 hour. Instructional sessions of less than 30 minutes shall be disregarded for purposes of counting CEU credits. On line or home study courses may be considered in compliance with this requirement if verification of completion of the course is furnished to the board.

Complete the required providership application which includes:

1. provider information
2. instructor qualifications
3. submission of two courses (included with providership)
4. $100.00 providership application fee

Upon approval the provider shall be considered an approved provider for a period of 24 months from the date the application is approved. Included with the initial providership are two free courses that should be submitted at the time application.

Providership Number and Course Numbers:

Approved providers are given a providership number (LAP1234) which will never change.

Course numbers will be assigned to each continuing education course (LCEU1234) approved by the Board. Course numbers will change every two years upon providership renewal and will expire the same day as the providership expiration date, regardless of approval date.

Certificates

The provider must furnish each participant with certificate of completion showing:

1. Licensee name
2. License number
3. Provider name
4. Provider number (assigned LAP#)
5. Course number (assigned LCEU#)
6. Title of the program
7. Instructor name
8. Date the course was taken/completed
9. Number of CEU hours

Attendance Records

Attendance records are to be submitted to the office no later than 30 days after completion and should include for cross matching:

1. Licensee name
2. Licensee number
3. Provider number
4. Course name
5. Course number
6. Date of completion

3701. Requirements for Massage Therapists

A. Each licensed massage therapist shall complete a minimum of 12 hours each year of continuing education units (CEUs) approved pursuant to 3703 of this Chapter.

B. The  continuing  education  requirement  set  forth  in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply during the first 12 months after a massage therapist is first licensed in Louisiana. The continuing education requirement shall apply to the licensee for every year of licensure thereafter.

C. Definition

One Hour of Continuing Education—no less than 50 uninterrupted minutes of instruction, with no credit to be given  for  introduction  of  the  speaker,  meal  breaks  or business  meetings.  Sessions  of  less  than  50  minutes  but more than 30 minutes shall be counted as 1/2 hour. Instructional sessions of less than 30 minutes shall be disregarded for purposes of counting CEU credits. On line or home study courses may be considered in compliance with this requirement if verification of completion of the course is furnished to the board.

D. Presenters/moderators/instructors of courses shall not receive credit for courses they present.

E. Failure of the licensee to satisfy the requirements of this Rule shall be in violation and shall subject the licensee to disciplinary actions pursuant to these rules.

F. A licensed individual who is serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces shall be entitled to apply for a waiver of the CEU requirements during the period of such service and the board shall have the authority to grant such a waiver.

3703. Board Approval of Providers and Programs

1.  A  continuing  education  provider  is  an  individual and/or business that sponsors continuing education programs and presenters which has registered with the board and paid the continuing education provider fee provided for in R.37:3562. The provider may also be a presenter. A continuing education provider registration term (providership) shall be for a period not to exceed 24 months. Upon expiration of the 24-month term, the provider may renew for another term. The provider shall be responsible for submitting all continuing education program information forms and payment of the continuing education program approval fee for each program being taught. The education provider fee includes the right to present two continuing education programs,  which  are  identified  in  the  initial  registration form, during the providership period without additional charge.

1. A continuing education provider must be registered with the board before disseminating any notices that its program is approved for license renewal cred In the event a provider does advertise without being registered with the board, that provider may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.

B. Authority to Review and Revoke Approval. The board retains the right and authority to audit and/or monitor CEU providers. The board may at any time evaluate any provider and deny, revoke, and/or decline to renew approval of that provider for good cause.

C. Approved  Providers.  In  order  to  register  with  the board, providers must comply with the following requirements.

1. The provider must retain attendance records for at least four years following each program.

2. The provider must furnish each participant with a certificate or letter of attendance verifying that the program has  been  completed.  The  certificate  shall  contain  the  provider’s name and number, the title of the program and instructor, the program number assigned by the board, the date, the number of CEU hours, and the licensee’s name and license number.

3. Within 30 days after the program, the provider must submit to the board attendance records which include the name, license number and date of attendance for each attendee and the provider number, program name, assigned program number and number of CEU hours. Submission of attendance records may be by mail or online through the board’s webs

4. A CEU certificate cannot be issued for less than the number of hours approved and attendees must complete the entire course for cred

D. Continuing Education Program and Presenter Requirements

1. Each program presented for Louisiana CEU credits shall be relevant to and focus on massage theory, practice, methods, or laws, regulations, business or ethical principles pertaining  to   the  practice  of   massage  therapy  or   the operation  of  a  massage  therapy  business  and  shall  have stated learning objective No Louisiana CEU credits will be approved for programs that include:

a. instruction in diagnosis;

b. the treatment of illness or disease; or

c. any service or procedure that otherwise exceeds the scope of the practice of massage therapy as defined in R.S. 37:3552(10).

2. Each program presented for Louisiana CEU credits shall be taught by a person who:

a. holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered; or

b. has completed at least five years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; or

c. has completed at least 100 hours of non-entry level education in the subject matter to be offered and has a minimum of two years of professional experience in the subject.

3. Program Approval

a. Program Information Form. Providers (approved pursuant to §3703 of this Part) shall submit on a program information form provided by the board all CEU programs to  be  offered  or  presented  during  a  providership  period which shall consist of 24 consecutive months.

i. Once  the  program  information  form  is submitted to the board, the program described on the form will  be  added  to  the  list  of  approved  CEU  programs contained  on  the  board  website  unless  the  provider  is notified otherwise.

ii. Each   provider   is   entitled   to   present   two approved programs as part of its biennial provider fee, provided such programs are identified on the initial program information form.

iii. A $50  per-program fee  will  be  required  for each additional program that the provider wishes to present for CEU credit.

iv. Once a program has been included on the approved list, it will remain on that list for the entire 24- month providership period provided that the materials presented for each program do not change

v. The provider must demonstrate, upon request, that each program and presenter meets the requirements of Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Subsection and failure to provide such information will result in the program being removed from the approved lis

vi Any changes and/or amendments to a program during the 24-month providership period will require the completion of  a  new program information form  together with the payment of a $50 program fee.

vii.      Submission of the program information form for a particular program must be submitted no later than 15 days before the program is scheduled to be taught.

b. Other  Program  Approval.  Louisiana  licensees may request CEU approval of a non-standard program or course of study by submitting an application form issued by the board. The form, along with a non-refundable program review fee of $50 per program, must be presented during the year for which CEU credit is sought and the program must comply with the CEU guidelines as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Subsection. This procedure may be used to apply for approval  for  activities  which  may  include,  but  are  not limited to, college courses, published works by the therapist, or other educational activities that may be used in lieu of CEUs for the given year. In order to be considered for approval, the non-standard program or course of study must have been completed within 12 months from the date the request for approval is submitted. Protocols for such proposed programs will be established by the board and the licensee will be provided with written notice as to whether the request for CEU credit has been approved.

c. Provider  Renewal.  A  provider  approval  letter issued by the board pursuant to this Chapter shall be valid for a providership period of 24 months from the date that the letter was issued. Within 30 days from the expiration of the 24-month period, the provider may apply for a renewal of the providership period by submitting a renewal request. The renewal request form may be found on-line at the board website or upon request a renewal form will be mailed to the provider. In order to obtain renewal of the providership, the provider  must  return  the  completed  renewal  form  to  the board office on or before the expiration date of the current providership period, together with the provider fee of $100. Failure to renew on or before the expiration date will result in loss of providership status and all programs offered under the  provider  number  will  no  longer  be  recognized  as approved.

d. Statement as to Approval

i. The   provider  of   a   program  approved  for Louisiana CEU units may announce that the program is approved by the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy so long as the provider number and the number of approved CEU hours are referenced in the advertising or other promotional materials.

ii. Providers may offer programs that are not approved pursuant to this Section. If a therapist is taking a program  with  anticipation that  the  program qualifies  for CEU credits, it is the obligation of the therapist to make that determination by checking the list of approved programs on the board website or checking with the board office as to the approval status before taking the program

3701. Requirements for Massage Therapists

A. Each licensed massage therapist shall complete a minimum of 12 hours each year of continuing education units (CEUs) approved pursuant to 3703 of this Chapter.

B. The  continuing  education  requirement  set  forth  in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply during the first 12 months after a massage therapist is first licensed in Louisiana. The continuing education requirement shall apply to the licensee for every year of licensure thereafter.

C. Definition

One Hour of Continuing Education—no less than 50 uninterrupted minutes of instruction, with no credit to be given  for  introduction  of  the  speaker,  meal  breaks  or business  meetings.  Sessions  of  less  than  50  minutes  but more than 30 minutes shall be counted as 1/2 hour. Instructional sessions of less than 30 minutes shall be disregarded for purposes of counting CEU credits. On line or home study courses may be considered in compliance with this requirement if verification of completion of the course is furnished to the board.

D. Presenters/moderators/instructors of courses shall not receive credit for courses they present.

E. Failure of the licensee to satisfy the requirements of this Rule shall be in violation and shall subject the licensee to disciplinary actions pursuant to these rules.

F. A licensed individual who is serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces shall be entitled to apply for a waiver of the CEU requirements during the period of such service and the board shall have the authority to grant such a waiver.

3703. Board Approval of Providers and Programs

1.  A  continuing  education  provider  is  an  individual and/or business that sponsors continuing education programs and presenters which has registered with the board and paid the continuing education provider fee provided for in R.37:3562. The provider may also be a presenter. A continuing education provider registration term (providership) shall be for a period not to exceed 24 months. Upon expiration of the 24-month term, the provider may renew for another term. The provider shall be responsible for submitting all continuing education program information forms and payment of the continuing education program approval fee for each program being taught. The education provider fee includes the right to present two continuing education programs,  which  are  identified  in  the  initial  registration form, during the providership period without additional charge.

1. A continuing education provider must be registered with the board before disseminating any notices that its program is approved for license renewal cred In the event a provider does advertise without being registered with the board, that provider may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.

B. Authority to Review and Revoke Approval. The board retains the right and authority to audit and/or monitor CEU providers. The board may at any time evaluate any provider and deny, revoke, and/or decline to renew approval of that provider for good cause.

C. Approved  Providers.  In  order  to  register  with  the board, providers must comply with the following requirements.

1. The provider must retain attendance records for at least four years following each program.

2. The provider must furnish each participant with a certificate or letter of attendance verifying that the program has  been  completed.  The  certificate  shall  contain  the  provider’s name and number, the title of the program and instructor, the program number assigned by the board, the date, the number of CEU hours, and the licensee’s name and license number.

3. Within 30 days after the program, the provider must submit to the board attendance records which include the name, license number and date of attendance for each attendee and the provider number, program name, assigned program number and number of CEU hours. Submission of attendance records may be by mail or online through the board’s webs

4. A CEU certificate cannot be issued for less than the number of hours approved and attendees must complete the entire course for cred

D. Continuing Education Program and Presenter Requirements

1. Each program presented for Louisiana CEU credits shall be relevant to and focus on massage theory, practice, methods, or laws, regulations, business or ethical principles pertaining  to   the  practice  of   massage  therapy  or   the operation  of  a  massage  therapy  business  and  shall  have stated learning objective No Louisiana CEU credits will be approved for programs that include:

a. instruction in diagnosis;

b. the treatment of illness or disease; or

c. any service or procedure that otherwise exceeds the scope of the practice of massage therapy as defined in R.S. 37:3552(10).

2. Each program presented for Louisiana CEU credits shall be taught by a person who:

a. holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered; or

b. has completed at least five years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; or

c. has completed at least 100 hours of non-entry level education in the subject matter to be offered and has a minimum of two years of professional experience in the subject.

3. Program Approval

a. Program Information Form. Providers (approved pursuant to §3703 of this Part) shall submit on a program information form provided by the board all CEU programs to  be  offered  or  presented  during  a  providership  period which shall consist of 24 consecutive months.

i. Once  the  program  information  form  is submitted to the board, the program described on the form will  be  added  to  the  list  of  approved  CEU  programs contained  on  the  board  website  unless  the  provider  is notified otherwise.

ii. Each   provider   is   entitled   to   present   two approved programs as part of its biennial provider fee, provided such programs are identified on the initial program information form.

iii. A $50  per-program fee  will  be  required  for each additional program that the provider wishes to present for CEU credit.

iv. Once a program has been included on the approved list, it will remain on that list for the entire 24- month providership period provided that the materials presented for each program do not change

v. The provider must demonstrate, upon request, that each program and presenter meets the requirements of Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Subsection and failure to provide such information will result in the program being removed from the approved lis

vi Any changes and/or amendments to a program during the 24-month providership period will require the completion of  a  new program information form  together with the payment of a $50 program fee.

vii.      Submission of the program information form for a particular program must be submitted no later than 15 days before the program is scheduled to be taught.

b. Other  Program  Approval.  Louisiana  licensees may request CEU approval of a non-standard program or course of study by submitting an application form issued by the board. The form, along with a non-refundable program review fee of $50 per program, must be presented during the year for which CEU credit is sought and the program must comply with the CEU guidelines as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Subsection. This procedure may be used to apply for approval  for  activities  which  may  include,  but  are  not limited to, college courses, published works by the therapist, or other educational activities that may be used in lieu of CEUs for the given year. In order to be considered for approval, the non-standard program or course of study must have been completed within 12 months from the date the request for approval is submitted. Protocols for such proposed programs will be established by the board and the licensee will be provided with written notice as to whether the request for CEU credit has been approved.

c. Provider  Renewal.  A  provider  approval  letter issued by the board pursuant to this Chapter shall be valid for a providership period of 24 months from the date that the letter was issued. Within 30 days from the expiration of the 24-month period, the provider may apply for a renewal of the providership period by submitting a renewal request. The renewal request form may be found on-line at the board website or upon request a renewal form will be mailed to the provider. In order to obtain renewal of the providership, the provider  must  return  the  completed  renewal  form  to  the board office on or before the expiration date of the current providership period, together with the provider fee of $100. Failure to renew on or before the expiration date will result in loss of providership status and all programs offered under the  provider  number  will  no  longer  be  recognized  as approved.

d. Statement as to Approval

i. The   provider  of   a   program  approved  for Louisiana CEU units may announce that the program is approved by the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy so long as the provider number and the number of approved CEU hours are referenced in the advertising or other promotional materials.

ii. Providers may offer programs that are not approved pursuant to this Section. If a therapist is taking a program  with  anticipation that  the  program qualifies  for CEU credits, it is the obligation of the therapist to make that determination by checking the list of approved programs on the board website or checking with the board office as to the approval status before taking the program