CE Credits with Licensure in 2 States

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 31, 2014

Hmm - I don't see why you couldn't apply the same CEs to both licensure requirements. I don't see how they could even check to see if you had used a CE activity to satisfy an additional licensure or certification requirement - too convoluted to maintain & irrelevant to the overall goal of ensuring that nurses engage in continuing professional development.

amoLucia · Feb 1, 2014

Just make sure that the CE provider is accepted & recognized (approved) by both states.

sj5190 · Feb 1, 2014

great thanks!!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

I would look at the exact wording that each board provides regarding CE approval. I joined two organizations and both are recognized by the boards so I don't worry about it. However, if one board does not recognize where the CE received its approval as a CE, then that particular CE is useless to you in the other state.

I would start tracking down the laws regarding CEs in each state and emailing (I personally would email to keep track of what is said) each board if there is any doubt. Losing your license over CEs is something that is preventable.

Also, save all copies of your certificates as deemed necessary by the board of nursing in each state. It's usually 5 years but double check as an audit can require you to pull all certs related to that time frame.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 3, 2014

Oh how I wish meeting the continuing competency requirements where I live were as easy as collecting CE credits. It's so much more complicated and so much less objective in Alberta (and most other provinces as well). We have to first gather feedback (with no real guidelines as to where , how or what form of feedback is expected) and then using that feedback, formally assess our learning needs and put it all in writing. Then we have to develop a learning plan, complete with rationale. Every step of the learning plan that we meet must be documented, including how it was met and when. Then at the end of the registration year, we have to evaluate whether or not we've met our learning goal for the year, with rationale. And then the process begins again. About 10% of registrants are audited each year to see how they're meeting their continuing competency requirement (the audit may go back 5 years too!) and if the documentation isn't exactly what the auditor is looking for, the nurse is only registered conditionally. It's a huge pain in the butt.