Code of Maine Rules
02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION
380 - STATE BOARD OF NURSING
Chapter 8 - REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING
Section 380-8-8 - Continuing Education Requirements for Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Clinical Nurse Specialists and those Approved to Practice prior to September 8, 1993 When Certification Was Not Required

Universal Citation: 02 ME Code Rules ยง 380-8-8

Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024

1. Continuing Approval to Practice

A. A certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified clinical nurse specialist and those approved to practice prior to September 8, 1993 when certification was not required seeking continuing approval to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse must have completed during the 2 year period of licensure a minimum of 50 contact hours of continuing education in nursing, medicine or allied health in practice for which the individual has been approved as an advanced practice registered nurse. The applicant for continuing approval shall affirm under oath, on the continuing approval form, completion of the required continuing education.

Documentation of continuing education must be maintained by the advanced practice registered nurse for two license renewal periods and is subject to random or targeted audits.

B. A minimum of 30 contact hours must be in Category I, which is defined in subsection2(A).

By December 31, 2017 and thereafter advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority must complete 3 contact hours of Category I continuing education on the prescribing of opioid medication.

C. No more than 20 contact hours may be in Category II.

2. Definitions of Categories

A. Category I activities are those planned continuing education activities sponsored by organizations or institutions whose educational offerings are approved by professional bodies such as: American Nurses Association Credentialing Center; American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; American Midwifery Certification Board; the former American College of Nurse-Midwives; Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists; National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty; Maine State Nurses Association; American Psychological Association; American Medical Association Council of Medical Education; Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education or the Committee of Continuing Medical Education of the MaineMedical Association.

Completion of on-line educational activities that offer Category I contact hours of medical or nursing education related to the practice area.

Completion of courses which offer academic credit related to the practice area.

Value: One contact hour for 50 minutes of participation.

B. Category II activities include the following continuing health related education activities described below:
(1) exhibits or presentations offered to health professionals

(2) papers published in nursing and allied health journals

(3) articles or chapters authored and published in professional textbooks

(4) self-instruction such as: reading advanced nursing journals or allied health journals; listening to audio or videotapes; viewing slides; utilizing programmed or computer-assisted instruction

(5) participation in peer review; utilization management; and nursing/medical audits

(6) presentation at grand rounds

(7) participation at meetings that have a clinical focus

(8) precepting registered nurses enrolled in advanced practice registered nursing programs, practicing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, interns, residents or allied health professionals

(9) active participation in health-related research Value: One contact hour for each 50 minutes of participation.

Ten contact hours for each article or chapter published in nursing and allied health journals.

One contact hour (1) per hour of precepting registered nurses enrolled in advanced practice registered nursing programs, practicing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, interns, residents, or allied health professionals.

For presenters seeking contact hours, a one-time credit of 10 contact hours will be awarded for the preparation of the initial presentation.

C. Documentation of continuing education activities shall be maintained by the individual to reflect the following: category; date of offering; subject matter or title; sponsor, provider or institution; number of academic contact hours; and proof of attendance in Category I.

3. Failure to Meet Continuing Education Requirements

Failure to comply with the continuing education rules may, at the Board's discretion, result in a decision to deny continuing approval to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse, or may result in a decision to enter into a consent agreement and probation setting forth terms and conditions to correct the licensee's failure to complete continuing education. Terms and conditions of a consent agreement may include requiring completion of increased hours of continuing education, civil penalties, suspension and other terms as the Board, licensee and the Department of the Attorney General determine appropriate.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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