Section R4-18-205. Continuing Medical Education Requirements

A.      Every calendar year, a physician shall complete 30  credit hours of approved continuing medical education activities. Ten credit hours shall be in pharmacology as it relates to the diag- nosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Eight credit hours shall be from programs approved by one or more of the organi- zations listed in subsection (B)(2). One hour of credit is allowed for every 50 minutes of participation in an approved continuing medical education activity unless otherwise noted in R4-18-205(B).

B.       The following are approved continuing medical education activities:

1.        Education certified as Category I by an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education;

2.        Continuing medical educational programs in the clinical application of naturopathic medical philosophy that are approved by;

a.         The American Association of Naturopathic Physi- cians or any of its constituent organizations,

b.        The Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association, or

c.         Any naturopathic licensing authority in the United States or Canada.

3.        One credit hour may be claimed for each eight hour day of training in an internship training program, a preceptor- ship training program, or a postdoctoral training program approved by the Board. A maximum of eight hours per year may be claimed in this manner.

4.        One credit hour, not to exceed eight credit hours, may be claimed for each eight hour day of research in subjects listed in A.R.S. § 32-1525(B), if the research is conducted by or sponsored by a school of naturopathic medicine that is accredited or a candidate for accreditation by:

a.         The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education,

b.        The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or

c.         An accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

5.        One credit hour may be claimed for each hour serving as an instructor of naturopathic medical students or other physicians in a program approved by one of the organizations listed in subsection (B)(2), or a school approved by the Board. A max- imum of eight hours may be claimed in this manner.

6.        A maximum of four credit hours may be claimed for pre- paring or writing for presentation or publication, a medi- cally related paper, report, or book that is presented or published addressing current developments, skills, proce- dures, or treatment in the practice of naturopathic medi- cine. Credit may be claimed only for materials presented or published. Credit may be claimed once as of the date of publication or presentation.

7.        A maximum of eight credit hours may be earned for the following activities that provide necessary understanding of current developments, skills, procedures, or treatment related to the practice of naturopathic medicine if the physician maintains a record for at least three years that includes the name of the activity, the date of the activity, and the amount of time to complete the activity:

a.         Self-instruction that utilizes videotapes, audiotapes, films, filmstrips, slides, radio broadcasts, or comput- ers;

b.        Independent reading of  scientific journals and books;

c.         Preparation for specialty board certification or re- certification examinations; or

d.        Participation on a staff committee or quality of care or utilization review committee in a facility or gov- ernment agency.

C.      The Board shall grant an extension of time to complete con- tinuing medical education required in subsection (A) upon written application by a licensee if the licensee fails to meet the requirements due to illness, military service, medical or religious missionary activity, residence in a foreign country, or other extenuating circumstance. An extension, other than for military service, shall not exceed 90 days.

D.      An applicant for renewal of a license shall certify on the appli- cation for renewal, under penalty of perjury, that the applicant has met or will meet, before January 1, the continuing medical education requirements for the calendar year.

E.       Board staff shall annually select a minimum of ten percent of the active licensees for an audit of required continuing medical education. Failure to complete the required continuing medical education is considered unprofessional conduct.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3702, effective August 9, 2002 (Supp. 02-3).