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Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board

Continuing Education: Polysomnography
15 Hours Every Two Years
Sleep Lab
A licensee is required to complete 15 hours of Board approved continuing education every two years, related to clinical practice of polysomnography.
 
To renew the license, evidence of required continuing education must be provided at the time of renewal by means of a prescribed self-attestation statement certifying participation in approved continuing education. To ensure that adequate proof of attainment of required continuing education is available for audit or investigation by the Agency, the licensee must maintain a record of attendance for two years following the two-year continuing education cycle and renewal of the license.

 
Continuing Education Providers
Continuing education is acceptable if provided by:
  • A medical organization or association accredited by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technicains, Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association Continuing Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, American Association of Sleep Technologists and its affiliates, to provide continuing education to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists or polysomnographic technologists and other organizations approved by the Agency;

  • A hospital not accredited to provide continuing education but the continuing education provided meets the following requirements:

    • The content of the course or program must be relevant to the scope of practice of polysomnography
    • The faculty must be knowledgeable in the subject matter as evidenced by a degree from an accredited college or university and verifiable experience in the subject matter or teaching and clinical experience in the same or similar subject matter;
    • Educational objectives must be listed;
    • The teaching methods must be described, e.g., lecture, seminar, audiovisual, simulation;
    • Evaluation methods must document that the objectives have been met.
  • An institution of higher education accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools or its successor, or the State Board of Higher Education, providing the course(s) meet the requirements of the first bullet point in this section. Five hours of continuing education credit per course, and up to two-thirds of the continuing education requirement, can be obtained by successfully completing the course(s) with a grade "C" or above, or a "pass" for a pass/fail course;


  • A polysomnography educational program accredited by the American Medical Association Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation in collaboration with the Committee On Accreditation for Respiratory Care, or its successor, or the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs offering an Associate Degree in Polysomnography;


  • An established and approved organization conducting humanitarian activities in another state or country, that is providing polysomnography services as defined in ORS 688.800(2) under its auspices. The organization and services are subject to Board approval on a case-by-case basis for continuing education credit.


  • A licensee who instructs continuing education courses may obtain the same number of continuing education hours for each initial course taught during the two-year continuing education cycle, in which the course is initially presented, as granted to course participants.


  • Continuing education credit will not be granted for completion of the Basic Life Support (BLS) course.

 
Self-Attestation, Audits
Licensees must attest, or declare, they have met continuing education requirements upon license renewal and are subject to periodic audits as specified in OAR 331-720-0010.

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) audits a select percentage of licenses determined by the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board to verify compliance with continuing education requirements.
 
Licensees notified of selection for audit of continuing education attestation shall submit to the agency, within 30 calendar days from the date of issuance of the notification, satisfactory evidence of participation in required continuing education.
 
Documentation of attendance at a program or course provided by the sponsor must include:
(a) Name of sponsoring institution/association or organization
 
(b) Title of presentation and description of content
 
(c) Name of instructor or presenter
 
(d) Date of attendance and duration in hours
 
(e) Course agenda
 
(f) Official transcript, diploma, statement or affidavit from the sponsor, attesting to attendance
Licensees are required to maintain a record of attendance for two years following the two-year continuing education cycle and renewal of their respiratory therapist license.
 
If documentation of continuing education is invalid or incomplete, the licensee must correct the deficiency within 30 calendar days from the date of notice. Failure to correct the deficiency within the prescribed time shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
 
Misrepresentation of continuing education, or failing to meet continuing education requirements or documentation, may result in disciplinary action, which may include, but is not limited to, assessment of a civil penalty and suspension or revocation of the license.

 
Approved Courses
First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Blood borne pathogen courses must be compliant with U.S. Federal guidelines 29 CFR 1910.1030. First aid and blood borne pathogen courses may be obtained through hands-on, online or blended course instruction.