1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; changing licensing requirements for certain health professions;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 148.512, subdivision 20; 148.5161, 
1.4 	subdivisions 2, 3; 148.5175; 148.519, subdivision 3; 148.5194, subdivisions 7, 8; 
1.5 	148.5195, subdivision 3; 148.6425; 148.6428; 148.6440; 148.6443, subdivisions 
1.6 	1, 3; 148.6445, subdivision 11; 149A.01, subdivision 4; 153A.14, subdivisions 
1.7 	2i, 4a, 11; 153A.175; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 148.515, 
1.8 	subdivision 2.
1.9 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.10 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.512, subdivision 20, is amended to 
1.11 	read:
1.12 		Subd. 20.Supervisor. "Supervisor" means a person who has the authority to direct 
1.13 	or evaluate a supervisee and who:
1.14 	(1) is a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist under section 148.515, 
1.15 	148.516, or 148.517; or
1.16 	(2) when the commissioner determines that supervision by a licensed 
1.17 	speech-language pathologist or audiologist as required in clause (1) is unobtainable, and 
1.18 	in other situations considered appropriate by the commissioner, is a person practicing 
1.19 	speech-language pathology or audiology who holds a current certificate of clinical 
1.20 	competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or board 
1.21 	certification in audiology by the American Board of Audiology.

1.22 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 148.515, subdivision 2, is 
1.23 	amended to read:
1.24 		Subd. 2.Master's or doctoral degree required for speech-language pathology 
1.25 	applicants. (a) An applicant for speech-language pathology must possess a master's or 
2.1 	doctoral degree that meets the requirements of paragraph (b). If completing a doctoral 
2.2 	program in which a master's degree has not been conferred, an applicant must submit a 
2.3 	transcript showing completion of course work equivalent to, or exceeding, a master's 
2.4 	degree that meets the requirement of paragraph (b). In addition to the transcript, the 
2.5 	commissioner may require a letter from the academic department chair or program 
2.6 	director documenting that the applicant has completed coursework equivalent to or 
2.7 	exceeding a master's degree or that the applicant is eligible for enrollment in current 
2.8 	doctoral externship credit.
2.9 	(b) All of the speech-language pathology applicant's graduate coursework and 
2.10 	clinical practicum required in the professional area for which licensure is sought must 
2.11 	have been initiated and completed at an institution whose program meets the current 
2.12 	requirements and was accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the Council 
2.13 	on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, a body 
2.14 	recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent as determined 
2.15 	by the commissioner, in the area for which licensure is sought.

2.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5161, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.17 		Subd. 2.Procedures. To be eligible for clinical fellowship licensure or doctoral 
2.18 	externship licensure, an applicant must submit an application form provided by the 
2.19 	commissioner, the fees required by section 148.5194, and evidence of successful 
2.20 	completion of the requirements in section 148.515, subdivision 2 or 2a. 

2.21 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5161, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.22 		Subd. 3.Supervision required. (a) A clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral 
2.23 	externship licensee must practice under the supervision of an individual who meets 
2.24 	the requirements of section 148.512, subdivision 20. Supervision must conform to the 
2.25 	requirements in paragraphs (b) to (e). 
2.26 	(b) Supervision must include both on-site observation and other monitoring 
2.27 	activities. On-site observation must involve the supervisor, the clinical fellowship licensee 
2.28 	or doctoral externship licensee, and the client receiving speech-language pathology or 
2.29 	audiology services and must include direct observation by the supervisor of treatment 
2.30 	given by the clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee. Other monitoring 
2.31 	activities must involve direct or indirect evaluative contact by the supervisor of the clinical 
2.32 	fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee, may be executed by correspondence, 
2.33 	and may include, but are not limited to, conferences with the clinical fellowship licensee 
2.34 	or doctoral externship licensee, evaluation of written reports, and evaluations by 
3.1 	professional colleagues. Other monitoring activities do not include the client receiving 
3.2 	speech-language pathology or audiology services.
3.3 	(c) The clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee must be 
3.4 	supervised by an individual who meets the definition of section 148.512, subdivision 20, 
3.5 	and: 
3.6 	(1) when the clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee is a 
3.7 	speech-language pathologist, is a licensed speech-language pathologist, or holds a current 
3.8 	certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology from the American 
3.9 	Speech-Language-Hearing Association; or
3.10 	(2) when the clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee is an 
3.11 	audiologist, is a licensed audiologist, or holds a current certificate of clinical competence 
3.12 	in audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or board 
3.13 	certification in audiology by the American Board of Audiology.
3.14 	(d) Clinical fellowship licensure or doctoral externship licensure shall not be granted 
3.15 	until the applicant has completed the academic coursework and clinical training in section 
3.16 	148.515, subdivision 2 or 2a. In addition to the transcript, the commissioner may require 
3.17 	a letter from the academic department chair or program director documenting that the 
3.18 	applicant has completed coursework equivalent to or exceeding a master's degree or that 
3.19 	the applicant is eligible for enrollment in current doctoral externship credit.
3.20 	(e) The clinical fellowship licensee or doctoral externship licensee must provide 
3.21 	verification of supervision on the application form provided by the commissioner.

3.22 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5175, is amended to read:
3.23 	148.5175 TEMPORARY LICENSURE.
3.24 	(a) The commissioner shall issue temporary licensure as a speech-language 
3.25 	pathologist, an audiologist, or both, to an applicant who: 
3.26 	(1) submits a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of 
3.27 	a disciplinary action or past disciplinary action in this or another jurisdiction and is not 
3.28 	disqualified on the basis of section 148.5195, subdivision 3; and 
3.29 	(2) either:
3.30 	(i) provides a copy of a current credential as a speech-language pathologist, an 
3.31 	audiologist, or both, held in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United 
3.32 	States; or
3.33 	(ii) provides a copy of a current certificate of clinical competence issued by the 
3.34 	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or board certification in audiology by 
3.35 	the American Board of Audiology.
4.1 	(b) A temporary license issued to a person under this subdivision expires 90 days 
4.2 	after it is issued or on the date the commissioner grants or denies licensure, whichever 
4.3 	occurs first.
4.4 	(c) Upon application, a temporary license shall be renewed oncetwice to a person 
4.5 	who is able to demonstrate good cause for failure to meet the requirements for licensure 
4.6 	within the initial temporary licensure period and who is not the subject of a disciplinary 
4.7 	action or disqualified on the basis of section 148.5195, subdivision 3. Good cause 
4.8 	includes but is not limed to inability to take and complete the required practical exam for 
4.9 	dispensing hearing instruments.
4.10 	(d) Upon application, a temporary license shall be issued to a person who meets 
4.11 	the requirements of section 148.515, subdivisions 2a and 4, but has not completed the 
4.12 	requirement in section 148.515, subdivision 6.

4.13 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.519, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
4.14 		Subd. 3.Change of address name, employment, and addresses. A licensee who 
4.15 	changes addresses must inform the commissioner, in writing, of the change of name, 
4.16 	employment, or address within 30 days. A change in name must be accompanied by a 
4.17 	copy of a marriage certificate or court order. All notices or other correspondence mailed 
4.18 	to or served on a licensee by the commissioner at the licensee's address on file with the 
4.19 	commissioner shall be considered as having been received by the licensee.

4.20 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5194, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
4.21 		Subd. 7.Audiologist surcharge fee. (a) The biennial surcharge fee for audiologists 
4.22 	is $235. The commissioner shall prorate the fee for clinical fellowship, doctoral 
4.23 	externship, temporary, and first time licensees according to the number of months that 
4.24 	have elapsed between the date the license is issued and the date the license expires or must 
4.25 	be renewed under section 148.5191, subdivision 4.
4.26 	(b) Effective November 1, 2005, the commissioner shall collect the $235 audiologist 
4.27 	surcharge fee prorated according to the number of months remaining until the next 
4.28 	scheduled license renewal. The audiologist surcharge fee is for practical examination costs 
4.29 	greater than audiologist exam fee receipts and complaint investigation, enforcement action 
4.30 	and consumer information, and assistance expenditures related to hearing instrument 
4.31 	dispensing.

4.32 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5194, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
5.1 		Subd. 8.Penalty fees. (a) The penalty fee for practicing speech language pathology 
5.2 	or audiology or using protected titles without a current license after the credential has 
5.3 	expired and before it is renewed is the amount of the license renewal fee for any part of 
5.4 	the first month, plus the license renewal fee for any part of any subsequent month up 
5.5 	to 36 months.
5.6 	(b) The penalty fee for applicants who engage in the unauthorized practice of speech 
5.7 	language pathology or audiology or using protected titles before being issued a license is 
5.8 	the amount of the license application fee for any part of the first month, plus the license 
5.9 	application fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36 months. This paragraph 
5.10 	does not apply to applicants not qualifying for a license who engage in the unauthorized 
5.11 	practice of speech language pathology or audiology.
5.12 	(c) The penalty fee for practicing speech language pathology or audiology and failing 
5.13 	to submit a continuing education report by the due date with the correct number or type of 
5.14 	hours in the correct time period is $100 plus $20 for each missing clock hour. Missing 
5.15 	means not obtained between the effective and expiration dates of the certificate, the 
5.16 	one-month period following the certificate expiration date, or the 30 days following notice 
5.17 	of a penalty fee for failing to report all continuing education hours. The licensee must 
5.18 	obtain the missing number of continuing education hours by the next reporting due date.
5.19 	(d) Civil penalties and discipline incurred by licensees prior to August 1, 2005, for 
5.20 	conduct described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) shall be recorded as nondisciplinary penalty 
5.21 	fees. For conduct described in paragraph (a) or (b) occurring after August 1, 2005, and 
5.22 	exceeding six months, payment of a penalty fee does not preclude any disciplinary action 
5.23 	reasonably justified by the individual case.

5.24 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.5195, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.25 		Subd. 3.Grounds for disciplinary action by commissioner. The commissioner 
5.26 	may take any of the disciplinary actions listed in subdivision 4 on proof that the individual 
5.27 	has:
5.28 	(1) intentionally submitted false or misleading information to the commissioner 
5.29 	or the advisory council;
5.30 	(2) failed, within 30 days, to provide information in response to a written request, 
5.31 	via certified mail, by the commissioner or advisory council;
5.32 	(3) performed services of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in an 
5.33 	incompetent or negligent manner;
5.34 	(4) violated sections 148.511 to 148.5198;
6.1 	(5) failed to perform services with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety due to the 
6.2 	use of alcohol or drugs, or other physical or mental impairment;
6.3 	(6) violated any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, and the violation is a felony 
6.4 	or misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or which relates directly 
6.5 	or indirectly to the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology. Conviction for 
6.6 	violating any state or federal law which relates to speech-language pathology or audiology 
6.7 	is necessarily considered to constitute a violation, except as provided in chapter 364;
6.8 	(7) aided or abetted another person in violating any provision of sections 148.511 to 
6.9 	148.5198;
6.10 	(8) been or is being disciplined by another jurisdiction, if any of the grounds for 
6.11 	the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those under sections 148.511 to 
6.12 	148.5198;
6.13 	(9) not cooperated with the commissioner or advisory council in an investigation 
6.14 	conducted according to subdivision 1;
6.15 	(10) advertised in a manner that is false or misleading;
6.16 	(11) engaged in conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public; or 
6.17 	demonstrated a willful or careless disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a client;
6.18 	(12) failed to disclose to the consumer any fee splitting or any promise to pay a 
6.19 	portion of a fee to any other professional other than a fee for services rendered by the 
6.20 	other professional to the client;
6.21 	(13) engaged in abusive or fraudulent billing practices, including violations of 
6.22 	federal Medicare and Medicaid laws, Food and Drug Administration regulations, or state 
6.23 	medical assistance laws;
6.24 	(14) obtained money, property, or services from a consumer through the use of 
6.25 	undue influence, high pressure sales tactics, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud;
6.26 	(15) performed services for a client who had no possibility of benefiting from the 
6.27 	services;
6.28 	(16) failed to refer a client for medical evaluation or to other health care professionals 
6.29 	when appropriate or when a client indicated symptoms associated with diseases that 
6.30 	could be medically or surgically treated;
6.31 	(17) had the certification required by chapter 153A denied, suspended, or revoked 
6.32 	according to chapter 153A;
6.33 	(18) used the term doctor of audiology, doctor of speech-language pathology, 
6.34 	AuD, or SLPD without having obtained the degree from an institution accredited by 
6.35 	the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Council on 
7.1 	Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the United States 
7.2 	Department of Education, or an equivalent;
7.3 	(19) failed to comply with the requirements of section 148.5192 regarding 
7.4 	supervision of speech-language pathology assistants; or
7.5 	(20) if the individual is an audiologist or certified hearing aidinstrument dispenser:
7.6 	(i) prescribed or otherwise recommended to a consumer or potential consumer the use 
7.7 	of a hearing aid instrument, unless the prescription from a physician or recommendation 
7.8 	from an audiologist or certified dispenser is in writing, is based on an audiogram that is 
7.9 	delivered to the consumer or potential consumer when the prescription or recommendation 
7.10 	is made, and bears the following information in all capital letters of 12-point or larger 
7.11 	boldface type: "THIS PRESCRIPTION OR RECOMMENDATION MAY BE FILLED 
7.12 	BY, AND HEARING AIDS INSTRUMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM, THE 
7.13 	LICENSED AUDIOLOGIST OR CERTIFIED DISPENSER OF YOUR CHOICE";
7.14 	(ii) failed to give a copy of the audiogram, upon which the prescription or 
7.15 	recommendation is based, to the consumer when the consumer requests a copy;
7.16 	(iii) failed to provide the consumer rights brochure required by section 148.5197, 
7.17 	subdivision 3;
7.18 	(iv) failed to comply with restrictions on sales of hearing aidsinstruments in sections 
7.19 	148.5197, subdivision 3, and 148.5198;
7.20 	(v) failed to return a consumer's hearing aidinstrument used as a trade-in or for a 
7.21 	discount in the price of a new hearing aidinstrument when requested by the consumer 
7.22 	upon cancellation of the purchase agreement;
7.23 	(vi) failed to follow Food and Drug Administration or Federal Trade Commission 
7.24 	regulations relating to dispensing hearing aids instruments;
7.25 	(vii) failed to dispense a hearing aidinstrument in a competent manner or without 
7.26 	appropriate training;
7.27 	(viii) delegated hearing instrument dispensing authority to a person not authorized to 
7.28 	dispense a hearing instrument under this chapter or chapter 153A;
7.29 	(ix) failed to comply with the requirements of an employer or supervisor of a hearing 
7.30 	aidinstrument dispenser trainee; or
7.31 	(x) violated a state or federal court order or judgment, including a conciliation court 
7.32 	judgment, relating to the activities of the individual's hearing aidinstrument dispensing; or
7.33 	(xi) failed to include on the audiogram the practitioner's printed name, credential 
7.34 	type, credential number, signature, and date.

8.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6425, is amended to read:
8.2 	148.6425 RENEWAL OF LICENSURE; AFTER EXPIRATION DATE.
8.3 		Subdivision 1.Removal of name from list. The names of licensees who do not 
8.4 	comply with the licensure renewal requirements of section 148.6423 on or before the 
8.5 	expiration date shall be removed from the list of individuals authorized to practice 
8.6 	occupational therapy and to use the protected titles in section 148.6403. The licensees 
8.7 	must comply with the requirements of this section in order to regain licensed status. 
8.8 		Subd. 2.Licensure renewal after licensure expiration date. An individual 
8.9 	whose application for licensure renewal is received after the licensure expiration date 
8.10 	must submit the following:
8.11 	(1) a completed and signed application for licensure following lapse in licensed 
8.12 	status on forms provided by the commissioner;
8.13 	(2) the renewal fee and the late fee required under section 148.6445; 
8.14 	(3) proof of having met the continuing education requirements since the individual's 
8.15 	initial licensure or last licensure renewal in section 148.6443, subdivision 1; and
8.16 	(4) additional information as requested by the commissioner to clarify information in 
8.17 	the application, including information to determine whether the individual has engaged in 
8.18 	conduct warranting disciplinary action as set forth in section 148.6448. The information 
8.19 	must be submitted within 30 days after the commissioner's request. 
8.20 		Subd. 3.Licensure renewal four years or more after licensure expiration date.
 8.21 	(a) An individual who requests licensure renewal four years or more after the licensure 
8.22 	expiration date must submit the following:
8.23 	(1) a completed and signed application for licensure on forms provided by the 
8.24 	commissioner;
8.25 	(2) the renewal fee and the late fee required under section 148.6445 if renewal 
8.26 	application is based on paragraph (b), clause (1), (2), or (3), or the renewal fee required 
8.27 	under section 148.6445 if renewal application is based on paragraph (b), clause (4); 
8.28 	(3) proof of having met the continuing education requirement for the most recently 
8.29 	completed two-year continuing education cycle in section 148.6443, subdivision 1, 
8.30 	except the continuing education must be obtained in the two years immediately preceding 
8.31 	application renewal; and
8.32 	(4) at the time of the next licensure renewal, proof of having met the continuing 
8.33 	education requirement, which shall be prorated based on the number of months licensed 
8.34 	during the biennialtwo-year licensure period.
8.35 	(b) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a), the applicant must submit proof 
8.36 	of one of the following:
9.1 	(1) verified documentation of successful completion of 160 hours of supervised 
9.2 	practice approved by the commissioner as described in paragraph (c);
9.3 	(2) verified documentation of having achieved a qualifying score on the credentialing 
9.4 	examination for occupational therapists or the credentialing examination for occupational 
9.5 	therapy assistants administered within the past year;
9.6 	(3) documentation of having completed a combination of occupational therapy 
9.7 	courses or an occupational therapy refresher program that contains both a theoretical and 
9.8 	clinical component approved by the commissioner. Only courses completed within one 
9.9 	year preceding the date of the application or one year after the date of the application 
9.10 	qualify for approval; or
9.11 	(4) evidence that the applicant holds a current and unrestricted credential for the 
9.12 	practice of occupational therapy in another jurisdiction and that the applicant's credential 
9.13 	from that jurisdiction has been held in good standing during the period of lapse.
9.14 	(c) To participate in a supervised practice as described in paragraph (b), clause 
9.15 	(1), the applicant shall obtain limited licensure. To apply for limited licensure, the 
9.16 	applicant shall submit the completed limited licensure application, fees, and agreement 
9.17 	for supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant practicing 
9.18 	under limited licensure signed by the supervising therapist and the applicant. The 
9.19 	supervising occupational therapist shall state the proposed level of supervision on the 
9.20 	supervision agreement form provided by the commissioner. The supervising therapist 
9.21 	shall determine the frequency and manner of supervision based on the condition of the 
9.22 	patient or client, the complexity of the procedure, and the proficiencies of the supervised 
9.23 	occupational therapist. At a minimum, a supervising occupational therapist shall be on 
9.24 	the premises at all times that the person practicing under limited licensure is working; 
9.25 	be in the room ten percent of the hours worked each week by the person practicing 
9.26 	under limited licensure; and provide daily face-to-face collaboration for the purpose 
9.27 	of observing service competency of the occupational therapist or occupational therapy 
9.28 	assistant, discussing treatment procedures and each client's response to treatment, and 
9.29 	reviewing and modifying, as necessary, each treatment plan. The supervising therapist 
9.30 	shall document the supervision provided. The occupational therapist participating in 
9.31 	a supervised practice is responsible for obtaining the supervision required under this 
9.32 	paragraph and must comply with the commissioner's requirements for supervision during 
9.33 	the entire 160 hours of supervised practice. The supervised practice must be completed in 
9.34 	two months and may be completed at the applicant's place of work.
9.35 	(d) In addition to the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b), the applicant must 
9.36 	submit additional information as requested by the commissioner to clarify information in 
10.1 	the application, including information to determine whether the applicant has engaged in 
10.2 	conduct warranting disciplinary action as set forth in section 148.6448. The information 
10.3 	must be submitted within 30 days after the commissioner's request. 

10.4 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6428, is amended to read:
10.5 	148.6428 CHANGE OF NAME, ADDRESS, OR EMPLOYMENT.
10.6 	A licensee who changes addresses a name, address, or employment must inform the 
10.7 	commissioner, in writing, of the change of name, address, employment, business address, 
10.8 	or business telephone number within 30 days. A change in name must be accompanied by 
10.9 	a copy of a marriage certificate or court order. All notices or other correspondence mailed 
10.10 	to or served on a licensee by the commissioner at the licensee's address on file with the 
10.11 	commissioner shall be considered as having been received by the licensee.

10.12 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6440, is amended to read:
10.13 	148.6440 PHYSICAL AGENT MODALITIES.
10.14 		Subdivision 1.General considerations. (a) Occupational therapists who intend 
10.15 	to use superficial physical agent modalities must comply with the requirements in 
10.16 	subdivision 3. Occupational therapists who intend to use electrotherapy must comply with 
10.17 	the requirements in subdivision 4. Occupational therapists who intend to use ultrasound 
10.18 	devices must comply with the requirements in subdivision 5. Occupational therapy 
10.19 	assistants who intend to use physical agent modalities must comply with subdivision 6.
10.20 	(b) Use of superficial physical agent modalities, electrical stimulation devices, and 
10.21 	ultrasound devices must be on the order of a physician.
10.22 	(c) Prior to any use of any physical agent modality, a licensee must obtain approval 
10.23 	from the commissioner. The commissioner shall maintain a roster of persons licensed 
10.24 	under sections 148.6401 to 148.6450 who are approved to use physical agent modalities. 
10.25 	Prior to using a physical agent modality, licensees must inform the commissioner of 
10.26 	the physical agent modality they will use. Persons who use physical agent modalities 
10.27 	must indicate on their initial and renewal applications the physical agent modalities that 
10.28 	they use.
10.29 	(d) Licensees are responsible for informing the commissioner of any changes in the 
10.30 	information required in this section within 30 days of any change.
10.31 		Subd. 2.Written documentation required. Prior to use of physical agent 
10.32 	modalities, An occupational therapist must provide to the commissioner documentation 
10.33 	verifying that the occupational therapist has met the educational and clinical requirements 
10.34 	described in subdivisions 3 to 5, depending on the modality or modalities to be used. Both 
11.1 	theoretical training and clinical application objectives must be met for each modality used. 
11.2 	Documentation must include the name and address of the individual or organization 
11.3 	sponsoring the activity; the name and address of the facility at which the activity was 
11.4 	presented; and a copy of the course, workshop, or seminar description, including learning 
11.5 	objectives and standards for meeting the objectives. In the case of clinical application 
11.6 	objectives, teaching methods must be documented, including actual supervised practice. 
11.7 	Documentation must include a transcript or certificate showing successful completion of 
11.8 	the coursework. An occupational therapist who is a certified hand therapist shall document 
11.9 	satisfaction of the requirements in subdivisions 3 to 5 by submitting to the commissioner a 
11.10 	copy of a certificate issued by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Practitioners 
11.11 	are prohibited from using physical agent modalities under supervision or independently 
11.12 	until granted approval as provided in subdivision 7.
11.13 		Subd. 3.Educational and clinical requirements for use of superficial physical 
11.14 	agent modalities. (a) An occupational therapist may use superficial physical agent 
11.15 	modalities if the occupational therapist has received theoretical training and clinical 
11.16 	application training in the use of superficial physical agent modalities and been granted 
11.17 	approval as provided in subdivision 7.
11.18 	(b) Theoretical training in the use of superficial physical agent modalities must:
11.19 	(1) explain the rationale and clinical indications for use of superficial physical agent 
11.20 	modalities;
11.21 	(2) explain the physical properties and principles of the superficial physical agent 
11.22 	modalities;
11.23 	(3) describe the types of heat and cold transference;
11.24 	(4) explain the factors affecting tissue response to superficial heat and cold;
11.25 	(5) describe the biophysical effects of superficial physical agent modalities in 
11.26 	normal and abnormal tissue;
11.27 	(6) describe the thermal conductivity of tissue, matter, and air;
11.28 	(7) explain the advantages and disadvantages of superficial physical agent 
11.29 	modalities; and
11.30 	(8) explain the precautions and contraindications of superficial physical agent 
11.31 	modalities.
11.32 	(c) Clinical application training in the use of superficial physical agent modalities 
11.33 	must include activities requiring the practitioner to:
11.34 	(1) formulate and justify a plan for the use of superficial physical agents for 
11.35 	treatment appropriate to its use and simulate the treatment;
11.36 	(2) evaluate biophysical effects of the superficial physical agents;
12.1 	(3) identify when modifications to the treatment plan for use of superficial physical 
12.2 	agents are needed and propose the modification plan;
12.3 	(4) safely and appropriately administer superficial physical agents under the 
12.4 	supervision of a course instructor or clinical trainer;
12.5 	(5) document parameters of treatment, patient response, and recommendations for 
12.6 	progression of treatment for the superficial physical agents; and
12.7 	(6) demonstrate the ability to work competently with superficial physical agents as 
12.8 	determined by a course instructor or clinical trainer.
12.9 		Subd. 4.Educational and clinical requirements for use of electrotherapy. (a) An 
12.10 	occupational therapist may use electrotherapy if the occupational therapist has received 
12.11 	theoretical training and clinical application training in the use of electrotherapy and been 
12.12 	granted approval as provided in subdivision 7.
12.13 	(b) Theoretical training in the use of electrotherapy must:
12.14 	(1) explain the rationale and clinical indications of electrotherapy, including pain 
12.15 	control, muscle dysfunction, and tissue healing;
12.16 	(2) demonstrate comprehension and understanding of electrotherapeutic terminology 
12.17 	and biophysical principles, including current, voltage, amplitude, and resistance;
12.18 	(3) describe the types of current used for electrical stimulation, including the 
12.19 	description, modulations, and clinical relevance;
12.20 	(4) describe the time-dependent parameters of pulsed and alternating currents, 
12.21 	including pulse and phase durations and intervals;
12.22 	(5) describe the amplitude-dependent characteristics of pulsed and alternating 
12.23 	currents;
12.24 	(6) describe neurophysiology and the properties of excitable tissue;
12.25 	(7) describe nerve and muscle response from externally applied electrical 
12.26 	stimulation, including tissue healing;
12.27 	(8) describe the electrotherapeutic effects and the response of nerve, denervated and 
12.28 	innervated muscle, and other soft tissue; and
12.29 	(9) explain the precautions and contraindications of electrotherapy, including 
12.30 	considerations regarding pathology of nerve and muscle tissue.
12.31 	(c) Clinical application training in the use of electrotherapy must include activities 
12.32 	requiring the practitioner to:
12.33 	(1) formulate and justify a plan for the use of electrical stimulation devices for 
12.34 	treatment appropriate to its use and simulate the treatment;
12.35 	(2) evaluate biophysical treatment effects of the electrical stimulation;
13.1 	(3) identify when modifications to the treatment plan using electrical stimulation are 
13.2 	needed and propose the modification plan;
13.3 	(4) safely and appropriately administer electrical stimulation under supervision 
13.4 	of a course instructor or clinical trainer;
13.5 	(5) document the parameters of treatment, case example (patient) response, and 
13.6 	recommendations for progression of treatment for electrical stimulation; and
13.7 	(6) demonstrate the ability to work competently with electrical stimulation as 
13.8 	determined by a course instructor or clinical trainer.
13.9 		Subd. 5.Educational and clinical requirements for use of ultrasound. (a) An 
13.10 	occupational therapist may use an ultrasound device if the occupational therapist has 
13.11 	received theoretical training and clinical application training in the use of ultrasound and 
13.12 	been granted approval as provided in subdivision 7.
13.13 	(b) The theoretical training in the use of ultrasound must:
13.14 	(1) explain the rationale and clinical indications for the use of ultrasound, including 
13.15 	anticipated physiological responses of the treated area;
13.16 	(2) describe the biophysical thermal and nonthermal effects of ultrasound on normal 
13.17 	and abnormal tissue;
13.18 	(3) explain the physical principles of ultrasound, including wavelength, frequency, 
13.19 	attenuation, velocity, and intensity;
13.20 	(4) explain the mechanism and generation of ultrasound and energy transmission 
13.21 	through physical matter; and
13.22 	(5) explain the precautions and contraindications regarding use of ultrasound devices.
13.23 	(c) The clinical application training in the use of ultrasound must include activities 
13.24 	requiring the practitioner to:
13.25 	(1) formulate and justify a plan for the use of ultrasound for treatment appropriate to 
13.26 	its use and stimulate the treatment;
13.27 	(2) evaluate biophysical effects of ultrasound;
13.28 	(3) identify when modifications to the treatment plan for use of ultrasound are 
13.29 	needed and propose the modification plan;
13.30 	(4) safely and appropriately administer ultrasound under supervision of a course 
13.31 	instructor or clinical trainer;
13.32 	(5) document parameters of treatment, patient response, and recommendations for 
13.33 	progression of treatment for ultrasound; and
13.34 	(6) demonstrate the ability to work competently with ultrasound as determined 
13.35 	by a course instructor or clinical trainer.
14.1 		Subd. 6.Occupational therapy assistant use of physical agent modalities. An 
14.2 	occupational therapy assistant may set up and implement treatment using physical agent 
14.3 	modalities if the assistant meets the requirements of this section, has demonstrated service 
14.4 	competency for the particular modality used, and works under the direct supervision 
14.5 	of an occupational therapist who has been granted approval as provided in subdivision 
14.6 	7. An occupational therapy assistant who uses superficial physical agent modalities 
14.7 	must meet the requirements of subdivision 3. An occupational therapy assistant who 
14.8 	uses electrotherapy must meet the requirements of subdivision 4. An occupational 
14.9 	therapy assistant who uses ultrasound must meet the requirements of subdivision 5. An 
14.10 	occupational therapist may not delegate evaluation, reevaluation, treatment planning, and 
14.11 	treatment goals for physical agent modalities to an occupational therapy assistant.
14.12 		Subd. 7.Approval. (a) The advisory council shall appoint a committee to review 
14.13 	documentation under subdivisions 2 to 6 to determine if established educational and 
14.14 	clinical requirements are met. If, after review of course documentation, the committee 
14.15 	verifies that a specific course meets the theoretical and clinical requirements in 
14.16 	subdivisions 2 to 6, the commissioner may approve practitioner applications that include 
14.17 	the required course documentation evidencing completion of the same course.
14.18 	(b) Occupational therapists shall be advised of the status of their request for approval 
14.19 	within 30 days. Occupational therapists must provide any additional information requested 
14.20 	by the committee that is necessary to make a determination regarding approval or denial.
14.21 	(c) A determination regarding a request for approval of training under this 
14.22 	subdivision shall be made in writing to the occupational therapist. If denied, the reason for 
14.23 	denial shall be provided.
14.24 	(d) A licensee who was approved by the commissioner as a level two provider prior 
14.25 	to July 1, 1999, shall remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner in accordance 
14.26 	with subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
14.27 	(e) To remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner, a licensee who was 
14.28 	approved by the commissioner as a level one provider prior to July 1, 1999, must submit to 
14.29 	the commissioner documentation of training and experience gained using physical agent 
14.30 	modalities since the licensee's approval as a level one provider. The committee appointed 
14.31 	under paragraph (a) shall review the documentation and make a recommendation to the 
14.32 	commissioner regarding approval.
14.33 	(f) An occupational therapist who received training in the use of physical agent 
14.34 	modalities prior to July 1, 1999, but who has not been placed on the roster of approved 
14.35 	providers may submit to the commissioner documentation of training and experience 
14.36 	gained using physical agent modalities. The committee appointed under paragraph (a) 
15.1 	shall review documentation and make a recommendation to the commissioner regarding 
15.2 	approval.

15.3 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6443, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.4 		Subdivision 1.General requirements. AnA licensed occupational therapist 
15.5 	applying for licensure renewal must have completedobtain a minimum of 24 contact 
15.6 	hours of continuing education in the two years precedingtwo-year licensure renewal
15.7 	period. AnA licensed occupational therapy assistant applying for licensure renewal must 
15.8 	have completedobtain a minimum of 18 contact hours of continuing education in the two 
15.9 	years precedingtwo-year licensure renewal period. All continuing education coursework 
15.10 	must be obtained between the effective and expiration dates of the license. Licensees who 
15.11 	are issued licenses for a period of less than two years shall prorate theobtain a prorated 
15.12 	number of contact hours required for licensure renewal based on the number of months 
15.13 	licensed during the biennialtwo-year licensure period. Licensees shall receive contact 
15.14 	hours for continuing education activities only for the biennial licensure period in which 
15.15 	the continuing education activity was performed.
15.16 	To qualify as a continuing education activity, the activity must be a minimum of 
15.17 	one contact hour. Contact hours must be earned and reported in increments of one contact 
15.18 	hour or one-half contact hour after the first contact hour of each continuing education 
15.19 	activity. One-half contact hour means an instructional session of 30 consecutive minutes, 
15.20 	excluding coffee breaks, registration, meals without a speaker, and social activities.
15.21 	Each licensee is responsible for financing the cost of the licensee's continuing 
15.22 	education activities.

15.23 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6443, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.24 		Subd. 3.Activities qualifying for continuing education contact hours. (a) The 
15.25 	activities in this subdivision qualify for continuing education contact hours if they meet all 
15.26 	other requirements of this section.
15.27 	(b) A minimum of one-half of the required contact hours must be directly related 
15.28 	to the occupational therapy practice. The remaining contact hours may be related to 
15.29 	occupational therapy practice, the delivery of occupational therapy services, or to the 
15.30 	practitioner's current professional role. 
15.31 	(c) A licensee may obtain an unlimited number of contact hours in any two-year 
15.32 	continuing education period through participation in the following:
15.33 	(1) attendance at educational programs of annual conferences, lectures, panel 
15.34 	discussions, workshops, in-service training, seminars, and symposiums;
16.1 	(2) successful completion of college or university courses. The licensee must obtain 
16.2 	a grade of at least a "C" or a pass in a pass or fail course in order to receive the following 
16.3 	continuing education credits:
16.4 	(i) one semester credit equals 14 contact hours;
16.5 	(ii) one trimester credit equals 12 contact hours; and
16.6 	(iii) one quarter credit equals ten contact hours; 
16.7 	(3) successful completion of home study courses that require the participant to 
16.8 	demonstrate the participant's knowledge following completion of the course.
16.9 	(d) A licensee may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year 
16.10 	continuing education period for: 
16.11 	(1) teaching continuing education courses that meet the requirements of this section. 
16.12 	A licensee is entitled to earn a maximum of two contact hours as preparation time for 
16.13 	each contact hour of presentation time. Contact hours may be claimed only once for 
16.14 	teaching the same course in any two-year continuing education period. A course schedule 
16.15 	or brochure must be maintained for audit;
16.16 	(2) supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant students. A 
16.17 	licensee may earn one contact hour for every eight hours of student supervision. Licensees 
16.18 	must maintain a log indicating the name of each student supervised and the hours each 
16.19 	student was supervised. Contact hours obtained by student supervision must be obtained 
16.20 	by supervising students from an occupational therapy education program accredited by the 
16.21 	Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education;
16.22 	(3) teaching or participating in courses related to leisure activities, recreational 
16.23 	activities, or hobbies if the practitioner uses these interventions within the practitioner's 
16.24 	current practice or employment; and
16.25 	(4) engaging in research activities or outcome studies that are associated with grants, 
16.26 	postgraduate studies, or publications in professional journals or books.
16.27 	(e) A licensee may obtain a maximum of two contact hours in any two-year 
16.28 	continuing education period for continuing education activities in the following areas:
16.29 	(1) business-related topics: marketing, time management, administration, risk 
16.30 	management, government regulations, techniques for training professionals, computer 
16.31 	skills, payment systems, including covered services, coding, documentation, billing, 
16.32 	and similar topics;
16.33 	(2) personal skill topics: career burnout, communication skills, human relations, and 
16.34 	similar topics; and
17.1 	(3) (2) training that is obtained in conjunction with a licensee's employment, occurs 
17.2 	during a licensee's normal workday, and does not include subject matter specific to the 
17.3 	fundamentals of occupational therapy.

17.4 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.6445, subdivision 11, is amended to 
17.5 	read:
17.6 		Subd. 11.Penalty fees. (a) The penalty fee for practicing occupational therapy or 
17.7 	using protected titles without a current license after the credential has expired and before it 
17.8 	is renewed is the amount of the license renewal fee for any part of the first month, plus the 
17.9 	license renewal fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36 months.
17.10 	(b) The penalty fee for applicants who engage in the unauthorized practice of 
17.11 	occupational therapy or use protected titles before being issued a license is the amount 
17.12 	of the license application fee for any part of the first month, plus the license application 
17.13 	fee for any part of any subsequent month up to 36 months. This paragraph does not 
17.14 	apply to applicants not qualifying for a license who engage in the unauthorized practice 
17.15 	of occupational therapy.
17.16 	(c) The penalty fee for practicing occupational therapy and failing to submit a 
17.17 	continuing education report by the due date with the correct number or type of hours in 
17.18 	the correct time period is $100 plus $20 for each missing clock hour. Missing means not 
17.19 	obtained between the effective and expiration dates of the license, the one-month period 
17.20 	following the license expiration date, or the 30 days following notice of a penalty fee for 
17.21 	failing to report all continuing education hours. The licensee must obtain the missing 
17.22 	number of continuing education hours by the next reporting due date.
17.23 	(d) Civil penalties and discipline incurred by licensees prior to August 1, 2005, for 
17.24 	conduct described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) shall be recorded as nondisciplinary penalty 
17.25 	fees. For conduct described in paragraph (a) or (b) occurring after August 1, 2005, and 
17.26 	exceeding six months, payment of a penalty fee does not preclude any disciplinary action 
17.27 	reasonably justified by the individual case.

17.28 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 149A.01, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
17.29 		Subd. 4.Nonlimiting. (a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the 
17.30 	powers granted to the commissioner of health, commissioner of commerce, state attorney 
17.31 	general, or a county attorney in any other statute, law, or rule, except as described in 
17.32 	paragraph (b).
17.33 	(b) A county, within its jurisdiction as a coroner or medical examiner, may establish 
17.34 	transportation standards for transporting a dead human body from the death scene to the 
18.1 	place where an autopsy is to be conducted, so long as the standards do not specifically 
18.2 	require that the transporter be a licensed funeral director.

18.3 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 153A.14, subdivision 2i, is amended to read:
18.4 		Subd. 2i.Continuing education requirement. On forms provided by the 
18.5 	commissioner, each certified dispenser must submit with the application for renewal of 
18.6 	certification evidence of completion of ten course hours of continuing education earned 
18.7 	within the 12-month period of JulyNovember 1 to June 30 immediately preceding renewal
18.8 	October 31, between the effective and expiration dates of certification. Continuing 
18.9 	education courses must be directly related to hearing instrument dispensing and 
18.10 	approved by the International Hearing Society, the American Speech-Language-Hearing 
18.11 	Association, or the American Academy of Audiology. Evidence of completion of the 
18.12 	ten course hours of continuing education must be submitted with renewal applications
18.13 	by October December 1 of each year. This requirement does not apply to dispensers 
18.14 	certified for less than one year. The first report of evidence of completion of the continuing 
18.15 	education credits shall be due October 1, 1997.

18.16 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 153A.14, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
18.17 		Subd. 4a.Trainees. (a) A person who is not certified under this section may dispense 
18.18 	hearing instruments as a trainee for a period not to exceed 12 months if the person:
18.19 	(1) submits an application on forms provided by the commissioner;
18.20 	(2) is under the supervision of a certified dispenser meeting the requirements of 
18.21 	this subdivision; and
18.22 	(3) meets all requirements for certification except passage of the examination 
18.23 	required by this section; and
18.24 	(4) uses the title "dispenser trainee" in contacts with the patients, clients, or 
18.25 	consumers.
18.26 	(b) A certified hearing instrument dispenser may not supervise more than two 
18.27 	trainees at the same time and may not directly supervise more than one trainee at a time. 
18.28 	The certified dispenser is responsible for all actions or omissions of a trainee in connection 
18.29 	with the dispensing of hearing instruments. A certified dispenser may not supervise a 
18.30 	trainee if there are any commissioner, court, or other orders, currently in effect or issued 
18.31 	within the last five years, that were issued with respect to an action or omission of a 
18.32 	certified dispenser or a trainee under the certified dispenser's supervision.
18.33 	Until taking and passing the practical examination testing the techniques described 
18.34 	in subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), trainees must be directly supervised in all 
19.1 	areas described in subdivision 4b, and the activities tested by the practical examination. 
19.2 	Thereafter, trainees may dispense hearing instruments under indirect supervision until 
19.3 	expiration of the trainee period. Under indirect supervision, the trainee must complete two 
19.4 	monitored activities a week. Monitored activities may be executed by correspondence, 
19.5 	telephone, or other telephonic devices, and include, but are not limited to, evaluation 
19.6 	of audiograms, written reports, and contracts. The time spent in supervision must be 
19.7 	recorded and the record retained by the supervisor.

19.8 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 153A.14, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
19.9 		Subd. 11.Requirement to maintain current information. A dispenser must notify 
19.10 	the commissioner in writing within 30 days of the occurrence of any of the following:
19.11 	(1) a change of name, address, home or business telephone number, or business 
19.12 	name;
19.13 	(2) the occurrence of conduct prohibited by section 153A.15; 
19.14 	(3) a settlement, conciliation court judgment, or award based on negligence, 
19.15 	intentional acts, or contractual violations committed in the dispensing of hearing 
19.16 	instruments by the dispenser; and
19.17 	(4) the cessation of hearing instrument dispensing activities as an individual or a 
19.18 	business.

19.19 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 153A.175, is amended to read:
19.20 	153A.175 PENALTY FEES.
19.21 	(a) The penalty fee for holding oneself out as a hearing instrument dispenser without 
19.22 	a current certificate after the credential has expired and before it is renewed is one-half 
19.23 	the amount of the certificate renewal fee for any part of the first day, plus one-half the 
19.24 	certificate renewal fee for any part of any subsequent days up to 30 days.
19.25 	(b) The penalty fee for applicants who hold themselves out as hearing instrument 
19.26 	dispensers after expiration of the trainee period and before being issued a certificate is 
19.27 	one-half the amount of the certificate application fee for any part of the first day, plus 
19.28 	one-half the certificate application fee for any part of any subsequent days up to 30 days. 
19.29 	This paragraph does not apply to applicants not qualifying for a certificate who hold 
19.30 	themselves out as hearing instrument dispensers.
19.31 	(c) The penalty fee for practicing hearing instrument dispensing and failing to submit 
19.32 	a continuing education report by the due date with the correct number or type of hours in 
19.33 	the correct time period is $200 plus $200 for each missing clock hour. "Missing" means 
19.34 	not obtained between the effective and expirations dates of the certificate, the one-month 
20.1 	period following the certificate expiration date, or the 30 days following notice of a 
20.2 	penalty fee for failing to report all continuing education hours. The certificate holder must 
20.3 	obtain the missing number of continuing education hours by the next reporting due date.
20.4 	(d) Civil penalties and discipline incurred by certificate holders prior to August 
20.5 	1, 2005, for conduct described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) shall be recorded as 
20.6 	nondisciplinary penalty fees. Payment of a penalty fee does not preclude any disciplinary 
20.7 	action reasonably justified by the individual case.