(a)(1) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of a license or certificate under this chapter to complete board approved continuing education of not less than 40 hours biennially. The board shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional organizations, including, but not limited to, the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, and the American Osteopathic Association, the number of hours required, and the category in which these hours should be earned. This paragraph shall not apply to respiratory care professionals or persons seeking renewal of certification as respiratory care professionals.

(2) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of certification as respiratory care professionals under Article 6 of this chapter to complete board approved continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number of hours of continuing education required biennially for renewal of certification as a respiratory care professional and the categories in which these hours should be earned. The board shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional organizations. Any action taken by the board pursuant to this paragraph shall be taken in conformity with the provisions of Code Section 43-34-143.

(b) The board shall be authorized to waive the continuing education requirement in cases of hardship, disability, illness, or in cases where physicians or physicians' assistants are serving in fellowships, new specialty residencies, postgraduate specialty programs, the United States Congress, or under such other circumstances as the board deems appropriate.

(c) The board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and ensure compliance with the requirements of this Code section.

(d) This Code section shall apply to each licensing, certification, and renewal cycle which begins after the 1990-1991 renewal.