COVID-19 Continuing Education Requirements Extension for Naturopathic Physicians

STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Olympia, Washington 98504 NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF A POLICY STATEMENT Title of Policy Statement: Continuing Education Requirements During the COVID-19 Response | Policy number BON 20-01.1 Issuing Entity: Board of Naturopathy Subject Matter: Addressing the impact COVID-19 response measures are having on the naturopathic physician profession with regard to meeting the continuing medical education (CE) requirements. Effective Date: November 20, 2020 Contact Person: Susan Gragg, Program Manager PO Box 47852 Olympia, WA 98504-7852 360-236-4941 naturopathy@doh.wa.gov

Department of Health

Office of Health Professions Board of Naturopathy Policy Statement

Revised - 10/18/11

In response to the Governor issued Proclamation 20-25 Stay Home--Stay Healthy that requires people to cease leaving their homes except to conduct essential activities or for employment of essential services; in response to other impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; and within the authority under WAC 246-12-210 that allows the Board of Naturopathy (board) to grant an extension of continuing education (CE) requirements under what it determines are "extenuating circumstances", the board determined naturopathic physicians have been unable to timely complete CE requirements. The board extended CE attestation to coincide with the license renewal extension authorized by the Secretary of Health. Naturopathic physicians attested to CE through September 30, 2020. Furthermore, during this timeframe the board determined to accept online courses that meet the CE requirements in WAC 246-836-080 through December 31, 2021. In addition, the board will also accept completion of prerecorded courses through December 31, 2021, whether or not an examination is required upon completion. Originally, this statement was filed with the extension expiring on December 1, 2020. This filing extends that expiration through December 1, 2021. Other circumstances related to completing CE and/or credentialing requirements beyond the individual licensee's control will be considered on a case-by-case basis, consistent with WAC 246-836-080(4).

Background

As the spread of COVID-19 continues and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance continues to encourage the restriction of large gatherings, organizations and entities have canceled large professional development events and conferences that included significant continuing medical education opportunities. Many naturopathic physicians, while not explicitly prohibited from providing patient care, have either scaled back or ceased practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic to adhere to the social distancing

Title: Number: Approved By: References: Continuing Education Requirements During the Chapter 18.36A RCW; WAC 246-836-080; WAC 246- BON 20-01.1Contact: Phone: Email: Effective Date: Supersedes: Susan Gragg, Program Manager naturopathy@doh.wa.gov November 20, 2020 BON 20-01 effective April 3, 2020 360-236-4941 COVID-19 Response 12-210 Chair, Board of Naturopathy

guidelines. The measures in place attempting to stem the spread of COVID-19 continue to contribute to financial hardship and uncertainty. As well, without the capability to access expected routinely attended CE offerings and as financial uncertainty increases, naturopathic physicians are without the ability and/or the means to meet their CE obligations for renewal of their licenses. On February 29, 2020, the Governor issued Proclamation 20-05 declaring a State of Emergency for all counties in the state of Washington. Since large gatherings contribute to the spread of COVID-19 by offering more opportunities for person- to-person transmission, on March 15, 2020, the CDC issued guidance discouraging all gatherings of 50 or more. On March 16, 2020, the Governor issued Proclamation 20-14 prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more in all counties in the state of Washington. On March 23, 2020, the Governor issued Proclamation 20-25 Stay Home--Stay Healthy that requires people to cease leaving their homes except to conduct essential activities or for employment of essential services. This proclamation was adjusted to move forward with a phased reopening for business and other activities; however, such adjustments also included freezes and amendments to some counties' reopening phases due to increased COVID-19 infection rates. On July 24, 2020, the Governor issued Proclamation 20-25.7 Safe Start--Stay Healthy, County-by-County Phased Reopening. WAC 246-836-080 requires naturopathic physicians to complete twenty (20) hours of CE every year. Effective January 1, 20201, naturopathic physicians will be required to complete sixty (60) hours of CE every two years. WAC 246-12-210 states: "A practitioner may be excused from or granted an extension of continuing education requirements due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. The profession's regulatory entity determines when the requirements may be waived or may grant an extension." On April 2, 2020, and in accordance with RCW 43.70.280, Secretary Wiesman extended health profession license expiration dates for licenses up for renewal between April 1 and September 30, 2020. Renewal payments were not required until September 30, 2020. In summary, due to stay at home orders and shutdowns related to COVID-19 response and in accordance with WAC 246-12-210 that allow a profession's regulatory entity to extend CE requirements when they determine that there are "extenuating circumstances", the board determined naturopathic physicians unable to timely complete CE were granted a CE extension that coincided with the license renewal extension authorized by the Secretary of Health. Naturopathic physicians attested to CE through September 30, 2020. Furthermore, during this timeframe the board determined to accept online courses that meet the CE requirements in WAC 246-836-080 through December 31, 2021. In addition, the board will also accept completion of prerecorded courses through December 31, 2021, whether or not an examination is required upon completion. Other circumstances related to completing CE and/or credentialing requirements beyond the individual licensee's control will be considered on a case-by-case basis, consistent with WAC 246-836-080(4).

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