Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(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.
Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
34-21-2,
34-21-23
(f).
