2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-37.2 - The Healing Art of Acupuncture
§ 5-37.2-12.3 - Continuing education for acupuncture – Establishment of standards.

SECTION 5-37.2-12.3

   § 5-37.2-12.3  Continuing education for acupuncture – Establishment of standards. – The health department shall establish, by regulation, mandatory continuing education requirements for a doctor of acupuncture licensed in this state, including, but not limited to, the following:

   (1) Each person licensed under this chapter, whether or not residing within this state, shall complete twenty (20) hours of continuing education within each annual renewal period, except during the initial annual renewal period.

   (2) Continuing education hours will be accepted by the department for course work which has been presented, accepted, or approved by a nationally recognized acupuncture organization or its local chapter, or any accredited school of acupuncture.

   (3) At the time of license renewal, each licensee is required to attest to the fact of having complied with the requirements in this section. Course descriptions, proof of attendance, or other documentation of completion is retained by the licensee for a minimum of three (3) years and is subject to random audit by the department. Failure to produce satisfactory documentation of completion upon request by the department constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under the provisions of this chapter.

   (4) Each person not obtaining the required number of hours of continuing education may have his or her license renewed for just cause, as determined by the department, so long as the department requires that the deficient hours of continuing education, and all unpaid fees, are made up during the following renewal period in addition to the current continuing education requirements for the renewal period. If any doctor of acupuncture fails to make up the deficient hours and complete the subsequent renewal period, or fails to make up unpaid fees, then his or her license shall not be renewed until all fees are paid and all the required hours are completed and documented to the department.