Upon becoming an occupational therapist three years ago, I was tasked with navigating patient care and ensuring compliance with my state’s CEU requirements to maintain licensure status in Alabama. At first, I viewed CEUs as something that had to be done to allow me to continue working.
However, I’ve come to understand the important role that continuing education plays in our profession.
It is of course essential for maintaining not just our OT license, but also ensuring we employ the best treatment practices by staying up-to-date with the latest treatment interventions, techniques, and research.
I recently completed a CEU cycle last year myself and wanted to share my insights on Alabama’s continuing education requirements for OTs, the importance of ethics CEUs, and some helpful tips for keeping track of your CEUs.
How Many CEUs Do You Need for Occupational Therapy in Alabama?
When I first started practicing, one of the first questions I had in terms of CEUs was how many I would need to maintain my license. In Alabama, Occupational Therapists are required to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
First things first, CEUs must be relevant to our practice. Here are some examples of what counts as CEU credits for us per AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association):
• Workshops and Seminars: These provide direct experience and insights into new techniques and treatment interventions that can improve therapeutic outcomes. In my experience, my workplace has been receptive to setting up workshops through my company. Some examples of workshops I have attended include a hands-on class on navigating stiffness in the upper extremity and a dynamic splinting course.
• In-Person Courses: Courses within the scope of our profession are a great way to enhance our skillset while also attaining our CEUs. Local courses may come to your area with set fees. A course I am hoping to be attending later on in the year is for Dry Needling of the Upper Extremity. This course is twofold as I will not only be getting CEUs, but also be attaining a certification to introduce Dry Needling into my practice. Always check with your company for CEU reimbursement options for these courses.
• Online Courses: Many approved online options offer the flexibility to fit learning into our busy schedules from the comfort of your home.
Check out Precision CPDs AOTA approved online course here
• Professional Presentations: Presenting at conferences or workshops can also count towards your CE hours. This can be daunting to a lot of new grads, but a lot of individuals are passionate about certain subjects and allow the opportunity to others to learn further about areas of our practice that they may have never even known about.
• Publications: Spending your time writing articles, research papers, or even books related to our field can earn you CE credits while also contributing to your professional growth. This does require time and effort however on your part and therefore you must be aware of the work that will have to be put into this upfront.
How Many Ethics CEUs in Alabama OT?
Before starting my career in occupational therapy, I did not even consider the fact that ethics would be such an integral part of our continuing education requirements.
However, if we think about it, we practice ethics every day in the workplace to ensure the utmost care is provided to our patients and/or clients. In the state of Alabama, out of the 20 required CEUs, at least 2 hours must be dedicated to ethics.
During my recent CEU cycle, I found that ethics courses were not only informative but also provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on my own practice and allow me to commit to ethical principles in my workplace and life.
These courses cover various topics, including confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical decision-making, all of which are essential for promoting integrity in our chosen profession.
Looking for Ethics CEUs? See our AOTA-approved ethics course for Reflective Family-Centered Practice
How I Keep Track of My CEUs for OT License Renewal in Alabama
So you may be thinking to yourself now, “Alright, so I know how to attain my CEUs, but how do I keep track of all the different ways I attained them?” I am going to give you some methods to stay organized and save you a lot of stress in the end. Keeping track of continuing education units (CEUs) is crucial for your license renewal, so here are some tips that have helped me personally:
Plan Ahead
Review the CE requirements early in the renewal cycle, and try not to wait until the last minute, creating a plan with enough time to spare can make a significant difference.
I started this past cycle by listing all the CE activities I needed and wanted to complete. This approach prevented me from falling victim to the last-minute scramble to meet the set requirements. One of the worst feelings is fearfulness that your license will not be renewed in time which could jeopardize your job, so it is best to ensure that will not be at risk.
Utilize Your Online Resources
Online courses and webinars are a lifesaver. They offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your schedule. They will also often track for you how many hours you have attained online to put towards your CEUs.
During my most recent cycle, I completed several online courses that were both convenient to me and informative to my practice. Websites like the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and other approved providers offer a wide range of topics that can fit your interests and needs.
Document Your Hours
It can become overwhelming to keep up with all the different ways you have attained your CEUs over a 2-year cycle. Keeping a CEU tracker handy in a folder or a planner can be a great way to track how many hours you have attained, how many you have to go, and if you are meeting all set requirements for your state. I have printed out a document made for CEU tracking online that has kept me on pace and allowed me to avoid the confusion that can occur with ensuring you remember where you have gotten all your hours from.
Stay Organized
In the same vein as documenting your hours, maintaining a dedicated folder for all CE documentation is essential. I keep all certificates of completion, transcripts, and other proof of participation in one place. Upon submitting for your license renewal, the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy (ASBOT) will likely ask for proof in the form of your documentation.
Having a dedicated folder ensures it’s all ready to go and you don’t have to go scrambling looking for everything at the last minute. This system helps me stay on top of my progress and ensures I meet all the expected requirements.
Approved Providers
Not all CE activities are created equal. It’s important to ensure that your CE activities are provided by organizations approved by ASBOT. Some of the top recognized providers include:
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Alabama Occupational Therapy Association (ALOTA)
• Accredited universities and colleges
By choosing courses and activities from these providers, you can be confident that they will count towards your CE requirements.
Personal Experience with CEUs
Going through the CEU cycle can feel daunting, especially if you’re juggling a busy caseload at work. But it’s also an opportunity to grow professionally and ensure that we’re providing the best possible care to our clients.
During my recent cycle, I focused on courses that would enhance my practical skills in my practice setting of outpatient orthopedics. Completing courses relevant to your daily practice and being able to implement these new skills will make you see why CEUs are necessary for the provision of the upmost direct patient care.
Conclusion
As a licensed therapist in Alabama, continuing education is imperative to ensure we continue to grow in our skillset of direct patient providers. By understanding Alabama’s CEU requirements, planning, and staying organized, we can ensure we’re always providing the best care to our clients while advancing our professional growth.
For more information on continuing education requirements, visit the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy or AOTA’s official website.
I hope my experiences and tips help you navigate your continuing education journey more smoothly. Happy learning!
References:
- Continuing education and professional development. AOTA. (n.d.). https://www.aota.org/career/continuing-education
- FAQs. ALOTA. (n.d.). https://www.alota.org/faq
About the author:
Juliana Sweatt is an occupational therapist working in outpatient orthopedics in Huntsville, Alabama!