(a) Each person licensed in accordance with the provisions of sections 20-206a to 20-206e, inclusive, shall complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of continuing education every four years. Such four-year period shall commence on the first date of renewal of the licensee’s license after October 1, 2003. The continuing education shall be in areas related to the licensee’s practice, including, but not limited to, courses offered by providers that are approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

(b) No more than six continuing education units shall be completed via the Internet or distance learning and no more than twelve continuing education units shall be obtained from providers that are not approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. For purposes of this section, “continuing education unit” means fifty to sixty minutes of participation in accredited continuing professional education.

(c) The Department of Public Health may require an applicant for license renewal to submit evidence of continuing education on forms that may be prescribed by the department. Each licensee shall maintain records, or certificates or other evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements for a period of six years. Failure on the part of the licensee to demonstrate that such continuing education requirements have been met shall be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to § 20-206c.

(d) This section shall not apply to licensees who have been continuously licensed since February 1, 1994. The continuing education requirements shall be waived for licensees applying for licensure renewal for the first time. The department may, for a licensee who has a medical disability or illness, grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a specific period of time or may grant the licensee an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements.