FAQ: Continuing Competency

See the appropriate section below that applies to the type of continuing competency question you have.  The sections include:

Q:  I was selected for the CE audit last year.  I have friends that have been in nursing for many years but have never been selected.  Why did I receive an audit letter, and they did not?
A:  Nurses receiving CE audit letters are chosen by random selection.  The number of years one has been in nursing has nothing to do with the selection process.

Q:  What will happen if I am audited, and I do not have the required contact hours?
A:  You will be asked to earn the required hours and submit copies of the CE certificates to KBN along with a letter of explanation as to why these hours were earned late.  Once this documentation is received and accepted by KBN, you will be allowed to enter into a Consent Decree Agreement with KBN and pay the required fine.  If you refuse to earn the late hours and/or pay the fine, your records and audit response will be forwarded to the Investigation and Discipline Section of the Consumer Protection Branch for initiation of disciplinary action

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Q:  I understand there have been changes to the CE regulations and I will now be required to renew my license for one year rather than two.  I am confused as to the earning period.  What is the present earning period for Kentucky nurses?
A:  Nurses are required to earn 14 contact hours or the equivalent within the yearly earning period of November 1 through October 31.  You may wish to view the CE Brochure for additional earning information.

Q:  My friend refers to the continuing education hours she earns as CEUs.  I notice that you refer to them as contact hours.  What is the difference in a CEU and a contact hour?
A:  One CEU is equal to ten contact hours.  Most KBN approved providers use the terminology of “contact hours” when referring to the number of hours awarded for a specific course.

Q:  This is my first renewal of my Kentucky nursing license.  Am I required to earn CE hours for this renewal?
A:  All nurses are exempt from earning CE hours for their first Kentucky renewal.  This is true for nurses licensed by examination or by endorsement from another state.  If the nurse fails to renew the original license, the exemption is lost and all CE requirements must be met before the license can be reinstated.

Q:  Is it true that I can use an employment evaluation for part of my CE hours?
A:  Yes.  A satisfactory employment evaluation or competency validation for your position as a nurse can be used for seven contact hours.  You must earn the other seven hours.  Other acceptable ways to earn your CE hours can be found on the CE/Competency page under "Licensure Renewal Requirements." 

Q:  Do college courses count as CE hours? 
A:  Academic courses in Nursing and Health Care, or Social or Physical Sciences, will count toward your CE requirement.  One semester credit hour equals 15 contact hours.  One-quarter credit hour equals 12 contact hours.  These courses count as CE for the earning period in which the course was completed. 

Q:  I have attended a CE course that is not offered by an approved CE provider.  How can I get credit for these hours?
A:  You may wish to submit an Individual Request for Review of CE Activities [PDF Format - 71k] to KBN requesting contact hours for this course.  There is a non-refundable charge of $10 for the review.  You can also request an application form by contacting the KBN office at 800-305-2042, ext. 237.  Once submitted, your application will be reviewed and, if approved, the appropriate number of contact hours will be awarded.  Applications must be submitted no later than November 30th of the licensure year.

Q:  Are CE hours earned on the Internet acceptable for licensure in Kentucky?  If so, how many of the required 14 hours can be earned on the Internet?
A:  Internet CE courses are acceptable if offered by an approved CE provider.  All 14 hours or any combination of the hours may be from Internet providers.

Q:  I understand that I can use my nursing certification for the required 14 contact hours of CE.  Is this correct?
A:  If you have a national nursing certification or recertification related to your practice role, and in effect the whole earning period or earned initially this period, it will count for the required 14 contact hours for Kentucky licensure.

Q:  I am required to take a class in CPR where I work.  Will this CPR class count toward my CE requirement?
A:  No.  CPR and BLS classes, as well as in-service education and nurse aide training, do not count as CE hours.

Q:  Will ACLS and PALS courses count toward my CE requirement?
A:  If an approved provider offers the ACLS or PALS courses, the hours earned will be accepted by KBN.

Q:  Can a nurse substitute CME credits for nursing contact hours?
A:  CME credits do not automatically transfer to contact hours.  If you wish to earn contact hours for a course that awarded CME credit, you will need to submit an Individual Request for Review of CE Activities [PDF Format - 71k].  

See response to FAQ “I have attended a CE course that is not offered by an approved CE provider.  How can I get credit for these hours?”

Q:  I have earned more CE hours this earning period than I need.  Can these hours be used for my next renewal?
A:  No.  CE hours cannot be carried over to the next earning period.  All 14 hours must be earned within the specified earning period.

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Q:  Where can I find a list of approved CE providers?                       
A:  You can print the CE Provider List [PDF Format - 94k], or you may request a copy of the list by contacting the KBN office at 800-305-2042, ext. 237.  A list of National Nursing Organizations recognized by KBN for CE is provided here.  If a provider that is approved by one of these organizations offers a course you wish to take, that course will be accepted by KBN for the same number of contact hours.

Q:  I would like to offer CE courses to other nurses and award contact hours for these classes.  What must I do to get KBN approval for these courses?
A:  KBN does not offer approval of each individual course, instead KBN approves the providers of the courses.  If you would like to become a KBN approved CE provider, you will need to submit an Application for Initial Provider Approval [PDF Format - 128k] to KBN.  A copy of the application can also be obtained by contacting the KBN office (see contact info above).

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Q:  Does KBN have a record of the CE hours I have earned?
A:  No.  KBN does not keep track of each nurse’s CE hours – that responsibility falls on the individual nurse.  It is the responsibility of the CE provider to see that the nurse receives a certificate of completion, but the provider does not send a copy of the certificate to KBN.  You are not required to submit CE certificates to KBN unless requested to do so through the CE audit.   Nurses must retain records of their CE/competency for at least 5 years following a licensure period.  HIV/AIDS CE records must be retained for 12 years.

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Q:  I completed a domestic violence course a few years ago.  How often must I repeat this course?
A:  Nurses seeking reinstatement, licensure by endorsement from another state, and examination candidates educated outside of Kentucky must earn three contact hours of KBN approved domestic violence CE within three years of licensure into Kentucky.  This is a one-time requirement.  Do not submit a copy to KBN unless requested to do so. 

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Q:  I understand there have been some changes in the HIV/AIDS CE requirements.  How many HIV/AIDS contact hours must I earn, and what is the earning period?
A:  All nurses are required to earn two contact hours of approved HIV/AIDS CE within the appropriate ten-year period.  For LPNs, that period is 11/01/2001 through 10/31/2011.  For RNs, that period is 11/01/002 through 10/31/2012.  The course must be offered by an approved CE provider or approved by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Frankfort, Kentucky.

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Q:  I am an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) in Kentucky.  Are there requirements that I earn any specific CE hours in addition to the required 14 contact hours for RN license renewal?
A:  All ARNPs are required to earn five contact hours of approved CE in pharmacology.  These hours count as part of the required 14 hours.

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Q:  Are SANE credentialed nurses required to earn specific CE hours in addition to the required 14 contact hours for RN renewal?
A:  SANE credentialed nurses are required to earn five contact hours of approved sexual assault CE (forensic medicine or domestic violence CE will meet this requirement).  These hours count as part of the required 14 hours for RN renewal.

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