Is it time to renew your nursing license in North Dakota?
Well, then you should start considering your CE requirements.
But there are different prerequisites for different license types. So say, if you hold an RN license, what requirements do you need?
In this article, we’re going to give you all the details. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about nursing CE requirements in North Dakota for CNAs, LPNs, RNs, and APRNs.
So let’s dive right in!
North Dakota Nursing CE Requirements
For your convenience, here is a quick summary:
| CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) | No CEs required! Must have qualified work experience as a nurse aide for at least 8 hours for the past 24 months. The expiration date of your certification will be on the last day of your work during the renewal period. |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | 12 CE hours every 2 years Practice requirements for license reactivation: Must have 400 nursing practice hours within 4 years of being an LPN LPNs with less than 400 practice hours should have completed a refresher course in the last 4 years |
| RN (Registered Nurse) | 12 CE hours every 2 years Practice requirements for license reactivation: Must have 400 nursing practice hours within 4 years of being an RN RNs with less than 400 practice hours should have completed a refresher course in the last 4 years |
| APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) | 12 CE hours every 2 years For APRNs with prescriptive authority: 15 contact hours in pharmacology *the 15 contact hours will fulfill the RN/APRN 12 CE hours requirement |
Let’s get into the details.
North Dakota CNA Continuing Education Requirements
Lucky you! CNAs in North Dakota are not required to take continuing education.
To qualify for certification renewal, though, they must have a minimum of 8 hours of paid work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This should be during the 2-year renewal period.
Your CNA certification expiration date will depend on the last day you worked at the time of the renewal.
You can renew your certification online by logging in on this page. Once you’re done filling up the required forms, you need to wait a few days for an update.
North Dakota LPN Continuing Education Requirements
To be eligible for license renewal, LPNs in North Dakota are required to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education.
For LPNs reactivating their license, they should be able to meet 400 practice hours within the preceding 4 years.
If you earned less than 400 hours for the past 4 years, LPNs are eligible for license renewal only if they had taken a refresher course during or after their nursing program.
If you are unable to complete the continuing education requirements after December 31 in the year of renewal, there will be a fee of $50 per contact hour earned thereafter.
So for example, there will be a fee of $500 for 10 contact hours completed after December 31.
Failure to provide proof of CE if audited may result in sanctions. There is a fee of $500 for LPN Reprimand.
North Dakota RN Continuing Education Requirements
Just like LPNs, RNs are also required to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education.
As for those who are reactivating their RN license, they should earn 400 practice hours in 4 years. If not, RNs can also complete a refresher course during or after their nursing program.
Continuing education requirements should be completed before December 31 during the year of license renewal. Failure to do so will result in fees.
For instance, there is a fee of $50 per contact hour earned after December 31.
If audited, you will need to pay a fee of $600 for failure to provide documents or proof of continuing education.
North Dakota APRN Continuing Education Requirements
To qualify for license renewal, APRNs should meet the required 12 contact hours of continuing education every 24 months.
APRNs with prescriptive authority should complete 15 contact hours in pharmacotherapy related to their scope of practice.
The good thing is, the 15 contact hours will fulfill the RN renewal nursing continuing education requirement. And since you need an active RN license to renew your APRN license, this will lessen your tasks.
FAQs
How do I verify if a training or educational activity is acceptable as continuing education by the North Dakota Board of Nursing?
The North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) will honor any number of CE hours in an educational activity provided it was approved by at least one of the following:
- A health care regulatory board
- The North Dakota Board of Nursing
- An organization that is nationally accredited to approve CE
Does taking college nursing courses meet my CE requirements in North Dakota?
Yes, this is called an academic credit. The successful completion of a college course from an accredited university or college can be used to meet your CE requirements.
- 10 contact hours = 1 academic quarter-hour
- 15 contact hours = 1 academic semester hour
Do I still need to keep my nursing CE documents after renewing my license in North Dakota?
Yes, you should keep your CE records or documents for 4 years. This is because the NDBON may instruct you to audit your CE records for up to 4 years.
I’m not practicing my nursing profession right now. Do I need to comply with the CE requirements?
Yes, whether you’re working or not, the CE requirements comply with your license renewal in North Dakota.
Conclusion
There you have it!
As you can see, nursing CE requirements in North Dakota aren’t so complicated.
If you’re an LPN or RN, you only need a minimum of 12 contact hours in nursing continuing education.
If you hold a CNA license, then you don’t need CE at all.
As for APRNs with prescriptive authority, the required 15 CE hours will already fulfill your RN requirements, too.
So if you need to start thinking about your renewal prerequisites, then you can get started right away now that you know what you need.
We hope that this article has helped answer your North Dakota nursing CE requirements!
Best of luck!
Last updated: March 31, 2023 (Requirements taken from North Dakota BON website)