Nebraska Continuing Education Requirements

In order to renew, all LPN/RN nurses must meet one of the continued competency requirements or waivers listed below:

• Have practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses.
• Have graduated from a nursing program in more than two, but less than five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses; OR
• Have graduated from a nursing program within the last two years.
• Have completed an approved refresher course within the last five years.
• Have obtained/maintained current certification in a nursing specialty granted by a nationally recognized certifying organization; OR
• Have developed and maintained a portfolio that includes the licensee's current continuing competency goals and evidence/verification of professional activities to meet those goals.

In order to renew, all LPN/RN nurses must meet one of the continued competency requirements or waivers listed below:

• Have practiced nursing for at least 500 hours during the past five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses.
• Have graduated from a nursing program in more than two, but less than five years AND have completed at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the past two years. All of the required contact hours may be completed via home study or internet courses; OR
• Have graduated from a nursing program within the last two years.
• Have completed an approved refresher course within the last five years.
• Have obtained/maintained current certification in a nursing specialty granted by a nationally recognized certifying organization; OR
• Have developed and maintained a portfolio that includes the licensee's current continuing competency goals and evidence/verification of professional activities to meet those goals.

*LPNs who are currently permitted to provide IV therapy:

• Those who hold or have held a LPN-C license
• Graduates from an approved program of practical nursing after May 1, 2016
• Currently licensed LPNs who complete an 8-hour didactic course in IV therapy (content peripheral IVs, central lines, and legal aspects) AND an approved employer-specific IV therapy skills course.

Not all LPNs will elect to do IV therapy, but must complete the 8 hour didactic course in IV therapy to maintain their license (given 5 years to complete course).

All Nebraska nurses are required to complete 20 hours of CE to renew a license.
APRN-CNS:

• Hold current national certification (AACN, ANCC, or ONCC)
• CNS currently holding Nebraska licensure under an alternative competency assessment may continue to do so.

APRN-CRNA:

• Hold current national certification (NBCRNA).

APRN-CNM:

• Hold current national certification (AMCB).
• Mandatory opiate prescribing CE requirement (see below*).

APRN-NP:

• Hold current national certification.
• Mandatory opiate prescribing CE requirement (See below*).
• If licensed more than five years, at least 2,080 hours of practice as an NP within the previous five years immediately preceding renewal.

*Health care professionals that prescribe controlled substances, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), must complete 3 hours of continuing education (CE) in opiate prescribing in order to qualify for license renewal beginning in 2020 and ending with the 2028 renewal.

This continuing education may include but is not limited to, education regarding prescribing and administering opiates, the risks and indicators regarding development of addition to opiates, and emergency opiate situations. one half hour of the 3 hour requirement must cover a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

To stay active, must have worked as a nurse aide in a paid position within 24 months of their last job as a nurse aide

Physical Therapists must have completed at least twenty (20) hours of acceptable continuing education.

** Your board does not require pre-approval for continuing education courses.  CEUFast courses qualify as quality continuing education in your state!

Physical Therapist Assistants must have completed at least ten (10) hours of acceptable continuing education.

** Your board does not require pre-approval for continuing education courses.  CEUFast courses qualify as quality continuing education in your state!
 

Each Occupational Therapist must complete 20 hours of continuing education within the 24 month renewal period, beginning August 1 each even-numbered year through August 1 the following even-numbered year.

Each Occupational Therapy Assistant must complete 15 hours of continuing education within the 24 month renewal period, beginning August 1 each even-numbered year through August 1 the following even-numbered year.

On or before May 1 of each odd numbered year, the athletic trainer must:

1. Have current certification from the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC); or
2. Complete 25 hours of continuing education during the preceding 24 month period; and
3. Hold a current cardiopulmonary (CPR) certification from a nationally recognized organization that issues CPR certificates.

BOC requires Athletic Trainers to complete 50 CEUs within the 2-year reporting period.

Respiratory Care licenses expire June 1st of each even-numbered year.  Licensees are required to earn 20 hours of acceptable CE.

All Nebraska nurses are required to complete 20 hours of CE to renew a license.

APRN-CNM:

• Hold current national certification (AMCB).
• Mandatory opiate prescribing CE requirement (See below*).

*Health care professionals that prescribe controlled substances, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), must complete 3 hours of continuing education (CE) in opiate prescribing in order to qualify for license renewal beginning in 2020 and ending with the 2028 renewal.

This continuing education may include but is not limited to, education regarding prescribing and administering opiates, the risks and indicators regarding development of addition to opiates, and emergency opiate situations. one half hour of the 3 hour requirement must cover a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

APRN-CRNA:

Hold current national certification (NBCRNA)
 

In Nebraska, medical assistants are not required to obtain licensure or certification from state organizations in order to work in the medical field.