Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 610-X-10 — Continuing Education for Licensure

610 Alabama Board of Nursing

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.01 Definitions

(1) Board Approved Continuing Education Provider: An individual; partnership; association; organization; educational institution; governmental agency; or licensed health care facility, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home health agencies, or other organized health care facilities, offering continuing education for nurses that meet Board criteria for approval and are assigned an Alabama Board of Nursing Provider (ABNP) number.

(2) Board Recognized Continuing Education Provider: A national or regional agency, journal, Alabama regulatory agency or board, or another Board of Nursing recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing as providing or approving continuing education in accordance with criteria that are substantially the same as those required of Alabama Board of Nursing approved providers of continuing education.

(3) Board Approved or Board Recognized Continuing Education Activity: An activity that meets the definition of continuing education and has undergone approval by a Board approved provider or Board recognized provider of continuing education. An activity may be a program of multiple sessions or a single session lasting at least twenty-five minutes (0.5 contact hours).

(4) Continuing Education: Planned, organized learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skill, and ability to enhance nursing practice and therefore improve health care delivered to the public.

(5) Continuing Education Contact Hour: Unit of measurement of continuing education that meets Board criteria for approval and lasts at least fifty minutes.

(6) Provider Number: A permanent, nontransferable number assigned by the Board to designate an approved provider.

(7) Refresher Course: A body of study with both theoretical and clinical components that are relevant to current practice modalities and technologies.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23(f).
• Effective March 22, 1991. Amended: August 29, 1994. Amended: May 24, 1996. Filed January 29, 2002; effective March 5, 2002. Amended: Filed September 16, 2005; effective October 21, 2005. Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009; effective March 30, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016. Amended: Published November 29, 2019; effective January 13, 2020.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.02 Continuing Education General Standards

(1) Licensed nurses shall be individually accountable for continued competence to practice nursing.

(2) The Board of Nursing may prescribe a refresher course for reentry into practice.

(3) Individual requests to verify approval for a specific course or activity may be submitted to a Board-approved provider.

(4) Licensed nurses shall meet continuing education requirements as stated in Rule 610-X-4-.08, Renewal of License.

(5) Pharmacology continuing education hours are required for Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNP), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), as stated in Rule 610-X-4-.08, Renewal of License.

(6) The Board-provided continuing education related to statutory and administrative frameworks for nursing regulation, scope of practice, and standards of practice described in §610-X-4-.08 is required for each licensed nurse for the first license renewal period and may be viewed by any licensed nurse at any time. A licensed nurse may receive continuing education credit for completing any of the required courses once each renewal period.

(7) Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action by the Board.

(8) Units of measure for continuing education shall be:

(a) 1 contact hour = 50 minutes

(b) 0.5 contact hour = 25 minutes

(c) 15 contact hours = 1 academic semester credit hour

(d) 10 contact hours = 1 academic quarter credit hour

(e) 1 contact hour = 0.1 continuing education unit (CEU)

(9) The Board may accept contact hours(s) earned from a continuing education provider that uses different units of measurement without conversion.

(10) Continuing education classes and activities may not be repeated within the earning period for credit. A class may be audited (no credit awarded) as allowed by the continuing education provider.

(11) Licensed nurses shall not enter any courses to their individual continuing education record from a Board-approved provider with an ABNP number.

(12) In the case of standard national courses approved by the national organization that established the standardized course, the maximum number of contact hours the Board shall recognize, unless a provider that is Board-approved or Board-recognized awards more, are as follows:

(a) Basic Life Support (BLS): 1.75 hours

(b) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): 8 hours

(c) Pediatric Life Support (PALS): 8 hours

(d) Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC): 12 hours

(e) Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP): 11 hours

(13) Serving as an appointed facility preceptor for students and/or new hire orientation may be recognized for 8 contact hours.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23(f).
• Effective March 22, 1991. Amended: August 29, 1994. Amended: May 24, 1996. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 29, 2002; effective March 5, 2002. Amended: Effective November 1, 2004. Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009; effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed January 25, 2011; effective March 1, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016. Amended: Filed May 18, 2018; effective July 2, 2018. Amended: Published November 29, 2019; effective January 13, 2020. Amended: Published June 30, 2021; effective August 14, 2021. Amended: Published July 29, 2022; effective September 1, 2022.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.03 Content Of Continuing Education

(1) Acceptable content for continuing education courses shall include one or more of the following:

(a) Clinical technology, procedures, and nursing implications.

(b) Specialty areas of nursing practice.

(c) Nursing practices related to care of the patient, including but not limited to counseling, patient teaching, infection control, and safety factors.

(d) Administration, management, and supervision in health care delivery.

(e) Social, legal, and ethical aspects of nursing.

(f) Nursing education.

(g) Nursing research, theory, and practice issues.

(h) Quality improvement and management, accrediting standards, and processes.

(i) Academic credit applicable to nursing that is earned from liberal arts, sciences, business, and general education courses obtained after initial licensure from an institution accredited by an educational accrediting body or that is earned in pursuit of a higher degree in nursing.

(j) Professional conduct.

(k) Orientation in-service programs and mandatory annual education on facility-specific policies – specific activities designed to familiarize employees with the policies and procedures of an institution or general orientation in-service.

(l) Serving as an appointed facility preceptor for students and/or new hire orientation.

(2) Courses that are not directly applicable to nursing practice are not acceptable for continuing education credit. Such courses may include but are not limited to:

(a) Courses taken for self-help such as weight loss, self-awareness, self-help therapy, changes in attitude, and yoga.

(b) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid classes designed for lay people.

(c) Courses taken for personal economic gain e.g. investment, retirement planning.

(d) Presentation of class(es), course(s) or program(s) that are:

1. Not an original development of the presenter

2. Not approved by a Board-acceptable provider of continuing education.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23(f).
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009; Effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed January 25, 2011; effective March 1, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016. Amended: Published June 30, 2021; effective August 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.04 Acceptable Providers Of Continuing Education

(1) Board-approved continuing education providers that have an assigned ABNP number and meet the standards of this chapter.

(2) Providers of continuing education recognized by the Board.

(a) Continuing education approved by any state board of nursing in the United States or its territories.

(b) Continuing education approved by national associations or organizations that are accredited by a national continuing education body. Any continuing education provider approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) shall be recognized by the Board if the content requirements are met pursuant to this chapter.

(c) National nursing organizations that approve providers of continuing education or offer continuing education are recognized by the Board.

(d) Continuing education provided by an Alabama regulatory board shall be recognized by the Board.

(e) AMA PRA Category 1 Credits sponsored or conducted by those organizations or entities accredited by the Council on Medical Education of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama or by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

(f) Standardized national courses approved by a national organization that establishes the standardized course. The maximum number of contact hours the Board shall recognize is the stated contact hours awarded by the CE provider via proof of a certificate or electronic submission by an ABNP provider.

(g) State Nurses Associations.

(h) Continuing education provided by colleges and universities that are accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and have continuing education as part of their mission.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23 (f).
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009. Effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed January 25, 2011; effective March 1, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.05 Acceptable Continuing Education Activities

(1) All required contact hours may be obtained from the following activities:

(a) Workshop.

(b) Seminar.

(c) Classroom.

(d) Web cast.

(e) Internet (online) courses.

(f) Intranet courses.

(g) Home study courses.

(h) Continuing education contained in journals.

(i) Podcast.

(2) The development and oral presentation of a paper before a professional or lay group on a subject that explores new or current areas of nursing theory, or practice, if approved by a Board-approved provider.

(3) Authoring or contributing to an article, book, or publication; or designing or conducting a research study if approved by a Board-approved provider.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23 (f).
• Effective March 22, 1991. Amended: August 29, 1994. Amended: Filed May 24, 1996. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 29, 2002. Effective March 5, 2002. Amended: Effective November 1, 2004. Amended: Filed September 16, 2005. Effective October 21, 2005. Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009; Effective March 30, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.06 Qualifications And Standards For Board Approved Providers

(1) The applicant for approval as a Board-approved provider of continuing education shall submit to the Board the required fee and a complete application that demonstrates:

(a) An organized plan for quality continuing education for nurses.

(b) The mission and objectives of the provider.

(c) Policies and procedures for implementation and evaluation of the educational programs and the educational unit.

(d) An identifiable educational unit with designated qualified personnel and resources for conducting an organized plan of continuing education for nurses.

(2) A Board-approved provider of continuing education shall adhere to the following standards:

(a) A complete application for continued approval as a provider shall be submitted in accordance with a schedule established by the Board.

(b) The program director:

1. May be a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or otherwise qualified individual. When the program director is not a registered nurse, there shall be evidence of consultation by a registered nurse who either is licensed in Alabama or holds a valid multistate registered nurse license issued by a party state, as defined in Chapter 4 of these rules.

2. Is accountable for the quality, accuracy and veracity of continuing education provided.

3. Is responsible for ensuring the instructor (s) possess qualifications appropriate to the content of the activity.

(c) The continued approval of the provider shall extend for a maximum of four years, provided standards for approval are maintained. Lapsed or retired Board providers shall not offer continuing education as an approved Board provider.

(d) Approved providers shall submit electronic records of all contact hours awarded to registered nurses or licensed practical nurses to the Board in a format and method specified by the Board.

(e) Records and reports shall be maintained for a minimum of four years.

(3) A Board-assigned provider number shall be issued upon approval of the entity as an approved provider of continuing education.

(a) The Board-assigned provider number and expiration date of Board approval shall be listed on course announcements, certificates, records, and reports including all correspondence with the Board.

(b) Name of entity attached to the Board assigned provider number may be changed upon written request from the contact person or administrator of record due to:

1. Corporate restructuring,

2. Change in ownership.

(4) A provider number shall be retired:

(a) Upon request of an authorized entity.

(b) Upon failure of an authorized entity to request continued approval.

(c) When the Board denies or withdraws approval

(5) Withdrawal of approval as a provider may occur if the provider fails to adhere to requirements in these rules. Grounds for withdrawal of approval include, but are not limited to:

(a) Lack of qualified personnel for planning and conducting continuing education for nurses.

(b) Inadequate record maintenance.

(c) Fraud, deception or misrepresentation relating to the educational program.

(d) Failure to comply with request for documents, or submitting false, inaccurate, or incomplete evidence of continuing education programs conducted and certificates issued.

(e) Aiding or abetting a licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirement by altering or falsifying certificates.

(6) Request for Reinstatement of a Provider Number:

(a) A previously approved provider who has requested retirement of a provider number, or has had a number retired for any reason, may request reinstatement of the provider number.

(b) Reinstatement may be denied for failure of the applicant to satisfactorily demonstrate capability of meeting continuing education standards and criteria for providers.

(7) A continuing education program director who is a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and fails to comply with the requirements in these rules shall be subject to disciplinary actions by the Board.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23 (f).
• Effective March 22, 1991. Amended: August 29, 1994. Amended: May 24, 1996. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 29, 2002. Effective March 5, 2002. Amended: Effective November 1, 2004. Amended: Filed September 16, 2005; Effective October 21, 2005. Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009. Effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed January 25, 2011; effective March 1, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016. Amended: Published April 30, 2020; effective June 14, 2020.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-10-.07 Reporting Requirements And Audit

(1) A registered nurse and licensed practical nurse shall:

(a) Provide a signed statement of affirmation, under penalty, of the degree of compliance with all continuing education requirements for license renewal including, but not limited to, compliance with:

1. Earning the required number of contact hours of Board-approved or Board-recognized continuing education activities.

2. The designated earning period.

3. Content and acceptable activities.

4. Not repeating the continuing education activity during the earning period for continuing education credit.

5. Any other requirements in these rules.

(b) Maintain individual continuing education records for four years following the year in which the contact hours were earned including, but not limited to, certificates, transcripts, or other documentation of attendance at continuing education activities to substantiate earned contact hours.

(c) Submit documented evidence of meeting continuing education requirements at time of renewal.

(d) Submit to the Board, by electronically uploading to the individual’s CE record, documentation of continuing education credit hours earned from Board-recognized providers that do not have an assigned ABNP number.

(2) Notice of Continuing Education Audit shall include:

(a) A notice of audit letter mailed thirty days prior to the first day of renewal to the address of record of the registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

1. An electronic notice of CE renewal audit identified on the licensee individual profile.

(3) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who fails to comply with reporting requirements, requirements of the audit, requests for documents, or submitting false inaccurate, or incomplete evidence of meeting continuing education requirements may be subject to disciplinary action by the board.

(4) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who fails to provide evidence of meeting continuing education requirements for license renewal shall not have the license renewed.

(5) Board-Approved Continuing Education Providers:

(a) A provider’s compliance may be evaluated by participant evaluations, provider evaluation, random on-site visits, or an audit of the provider's reports and records by the Board or its designee.

(b) Audits of providers may be conducted upon written complaint by any individual for failure of a provider to meet criteria for approval. The provider shall submit requested documents within 30 days of the date a written request is mailed. Failure to comply may result in sanctions by the Board.

(c) A self-evaluation report of compliance with standards shall be submitted to the Board according to Board guidelines as part of the application for continued approval.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21-2, 34-21-23 (f)
• Effective March 22, 1991. Amended: August 29, 1994. Amended: May 24, 1996. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 29, 2002. Effective March 5, 2002. Amended: Effective November 1, 2004. Amended: Filed September 16, 2005; Effective October 21, 2005. Repealed and Replaced: Filed February 23, 2009; Effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed January 25, 2011; effective March 1, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed February 8, 2016; effective March 24, 2016. Amended: Published April 30, 2021; effective June 14, 2021.