5410 APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION

5410.1 The Board, in its discretion, may approve continuing education programs and activities that contribute to the professional growth and competence of the licensee in the practice of registered nursing, are relevant to the practitioner's area of practice, and meet the other requirements of this section.

5410.2 Continuing education credit may be granted only for programs or activities approved by the Board.

5410.3 To qualify for approval by the Board, a continuing education program shall meet the following requirements:

(a) It is current in its subject matter;

(b) It has been developed and taught by qualified individuals; and

(c) It meets one of the following requirements:

(1) It is administered and approved by a registered nurse, nursing organization, or health services organization that is recognized by the Board; or

(2) It is approved by a state board of nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or any other national accrediting body recognized by the Board.

5410.4 A person seeking continuing education credit shall have the burden of verifying whether a program is approved by the Board pursuant to this section prior to enrolling in a program.

5410.5 At the request of a licensee or the sponsor of a continuing education program, the Board may approve the following types of continuing education programs if the program meets the requirements of this section:

(a) An undergraduate course or graduate course given at an accredited college or university;

(b) A conference, course, seminar, or workshop;

(c) An educational course offered through the internet; or

(d) Other programs which meet the requirements of this section.

5410.6 Except as provided in § 5410.7, completion of fifty (50) minutes of an approved program or activity shall constitute one (1) continuing education credit.5410.7 For approved undergraduate or graduate courses, each semester hour of credit shall constitute fifteen (15) hours of continuing education credit, and each quarter hour of credit shall constitute ten (10) hours of continuing education credit.5410.8 A person seeking continuing education credit shall submit the following documentation or information for each program for which continuing education is claimed on a form prescribed by the Board:- (a) The name and address of the sponsor or provider of the program;

- (b) The name of the program, its location, a description of the subject matter covered, and the name(s) of the instructor(s);

- (c) The date(s) on which the licensee attended the program;

- (d) The hours of credit claimed; and

- (e) A verification form signed and stamped by the program sponsor.5410.9 The Board may, in its discretion, grant continuing education credits for the following activities:- (a) Serving as a speaker at an approved continuing education program;

- (b) Developing a Board-approved course or educational offering;

- (c) Being the author or editor of a peer-reviewed, published periodical, if the periodical has been published or accepted for publication during the period for which credit is claimed;

- (d) Obtaining a national nursing certification not previously held;

- (e) Completion of or participation in a completed qualitative or quantitative research project; or

- (f) Active participation and attendance in a volunteer leadership position within a regulatory board or national professional association.5410.10 Continuing education credits for activities under § 5410.9 shall be subject to the following limitations:

(a) The activity for which credit is granted shall occur or be completed during the period for which the credit is sought;

(b) Credits granted under § 5410.9(a) may be granted for both presentation time and preparation time. Credits for preparation shall not exceed twice the amount of presentation time; and

(c) Credits granted under § 5410.9(f) shall not exceed a total of six (6) continuing education credits during the period for which the credit is sought.

5410.11 A person seeking continuing education credit for activities under § 5410.9 shall provide sufficient documentation to allow the Board to determine if the activity meets the requirements of § 5410.1.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 8613 (September 3, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 010990 (September 2, 2022).