Subdivision 1. Requirements. The health-related and non-health-related licensing boards may promulgate by rule requirements for renewal of licenses designed to promote the continuing professional competence of licensees. These requirements of continuing professional education or training shall be designed solely to improve professional skills and shall not exceed an average attendance requirement of 50 clock hours per year. All requirements promulgated by the boards shall be effective commencing January 1, 1977, or at a later date as the board may determine. The 50 clock hour limitation shall not apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Subd. 2. [Repealed, 1999 c 5 s 1]

Subd. 3. Fetal alcohol syndrome. The Board of Medical Practice and the Board of Nursing shall require by rule that family practitioners, pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists, and other licensees who have primary responsibility for diagnosing and treating fetal alcohol syndrome in pregnant women or children receive education on the subject of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects, including how to: (1) screen pregnant women for alcohol abuse; (2) identify affected children; and (3) provide referral information on needed services.

Subd. 4. Parental depression. The health-related licensing boards that regulate professions that serve caregivers at risk of depression, or their children, including behavioral health and therapy, chiropractic, marriage and family therapy, medical practice, nursing, psychology, and social work, shall provide educational materials to licensees on the subject of parental depression and its potential effects on children if unaddressed, including how to:

(1) screen mothers for depression;

(2) identify children who are affected by their mother's depression; and

(3) provide treatment or referral information on needed services.

Subd. 5. Health professionals services program. The health-related licensing boards shall include information regarding the health professionals services program on their websites.

Subd. 6. Opioid and controlled substances prescribing. (a) The Board of Medical Practice, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Dentistry, the Board of Optometry, and the Board of Podiatric Medicine shall require that licensees with the authority to prescribe controlled substances obtain at least two hours of continuing education credit on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances, including nonpharmacological and implantable device alternatives for treatment of pain and ongoing pain management, as part of the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Licensees shall not be required to complete more than two credit hours of continuing education on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances before this subdivision expires. Continuing education credit on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances must meet board requirements.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to any licensee who is participating in the opioid prescribing improvement program under section 256B.0638, unless the licensee has been terminated as a medical assistance provider under section 256B.0638, subdivision 5, paragraph (d).

(c) This subdivision expires January 1, 2023.

History: 1976 c 222 s 7; 1992 c 559 art 1 s 8; 1997 c 203 art 2 s 24; 2013 c 108 art 10 s 10; 2014 c 291 art 4 s 50; 1Sp2017 c 5 art 12 s 22; 2019 c 63 art 2 s 10