Legality of mandatory continuing professional education.

The legality of state requirements that professionals participate in continuing professional education is discussed. The historical development of the requirement in pharmacy is reviewed, and the legal doctrine of police power is considered as the basis for legal requirements in this area. The need for a statutory basis for this condition is presented, and court cases wherein such requirements have been challenged are reviewed. There must be statutory authorization for imposing continuing education requirements for professionals, and the statute and regulations affecting the rule must not infringe on an individual's constitutional rights.