By Frank Merillat
Well here we are again. By the time you are reading this we will be within 365 days of the next license renewal. It is surprising how quickly this will happen. There are some things to consider. Fingerprinting is here and all continuing education credits will need to be on file with CEBroker.com in order to complete the renewal of the license.
At the 2013 renewal, we had to add a picture to our license. This time we will need to be digitally fingerprinted. This will be required to be completed by all licensees by January 15, 2015. We will have to select a provider to fingerprint us and pay for this ourselves. We should be receiving information from the Department of Health on how to successfully complete this requirement in the near future, so be sure your mailing address is up to date with the DOH.
We will also have to have all our CE credits completed and recorded with CEBroker before we can renew our license. This means that each of us must make sure that all our CE credits were submitted for classes that were taken. CEBroker has made it possible to see our records without paying to join. They also have a way for each person to enter credits themselves if the provider did not. Remember that each of us is personally responsible to meet the licensure requirements even if we do not agree with them.
Since we are moving closer to the renewal deadline each passing day, it is time to have a plan for meeting the CE requirements. We have to have 24 hours total. Of the 24, 12 hours have to be live and focus on the practice of massage. Six can be taken online or in an approved related area and 6 are the required medical errors, ethics and law.
How do you plan to meet your requirements? What interests you? Where is your growing edge? What will add to your existing skills? Who is a teacher you would like to join in class? These are all part of making a plan. So many therapists wait and take what is available rather than have an intentional plan. Also, often if one waits, the classes they really want or need are already full or have already taken place.
I was just looking at the FSM workshop calendar and am so grateful to have so many interesting options for subject matter and experienced teachers available. It is a real gift to be able to get quality education right here in Gainesville. Several of the instructors are internationally known: Deane Juhan, Giorgia Milne, Luann Overmeyer, plus our own Karen Ball and Pete Whitridge. Nancy Smith is recognized nationally as a leader in scar work. Ariela Grodner is becoming well known as a leading Thai instructor. All are offering workshops, along with many other local educators.
I will be offering a one-day class on the neck and a two-day class on working with whiplash injury as well as sponsoring Deane Juhan before the end of the year.
A real benefit of studying locally is cost. Whenever I travel to take class, I note that the greatest expense is usually the travel, food and lodging associated with the class, not the class itself. And if you are returning to FSM to take a class, you often know someone or can arrange lodging at much better cost than a hotel. I encourage you to look at the schedule of classes being offered and make a plan. All offerings have descriptions and how to register. Do note that not all classes are registered through the school. Some, like my own, are registered directly with the provider.
So, make a plan. Get registered for the class that fits your needs. Get fingerprinted and check out CEBroker so you can be ready to renew. Remember, each of us is responsible for meeting all the requirements in order to be able to successfully renew in a timely manner. Click here for another useful link to CE At Renewal.
Hope to join you in class!
