CONTINUING EDUCATION IN TICK-BORNE DISEASES

(a) As part of the continuing education requirements under Section 301.303, a license holder whose practice includes the treatment of tick-borne diseases shall be encouraged to participate, during each two-year licensing period, in continuing education relating to the treatment of tick-borne diseases. (b) The board shall adopt rules to identify the license holders who are encouraged to complete continuing education under Subsection (a) and establish the content of that continuing education. In adopting rules, the board shall seek input from affected parties and review relevant courses, including courses that have been approved in other states. Rules adopted under this section must provide that continuing education courses representing an appropriate spectrum of relevant medical clinical treatment relating to tick-borne diseases qualify as approved continuing education courses for license renewal. (c) If relevant, the board shall consider a license holder's participation in a continuing education course approved under Subsection (b) if: (1) the license holder is being investigated by the board regarding the license holder's selection of clinical care for the treatment of tick-borne diseases; and (2) the license holder completed the course not more than two years before the start of the investigation. (d) The board may adopt other rules to implement this section, including rules under Section 301.303(c) for the approval of education programs and providers.