Frequently Asked Questions - Continuing Education & Competency

If you have additional questions within the broad topic of continuing competency, then you may wish to explore the additional information provided below:

I see the abbreviations CE, CEU, CNE, and CME. What do they mean, and which ones can I use to meet my continuing competency requirements?

Each of these abbreviations has a specific meaning but some are commonly interchanged.

Continuing Education is often abbreviated as CE and may be used in reference to general continuing education in many different professions, rather than specific to the continuing education for nurses. Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) is defined in Board Rules 216.1(12) as "programs beyond the basic preparation which are designed to promote and enrich knowledge, improve skills, and develop attitudes for the enhancement of nursing practice, thus improving health care to the public."1 While some continuing education may be nursing specific, use of the term continuing nursing education and the abbreviation CNE makes it clear that this is both continuing education and is specific to nursing. If delivered by an approved provider, the CNE could be used by a nurse to meet continuing competency requirements, if the CNE were applicable to the nurse's area of practice. Therefore, CNE is the appropriate phrase in relation to continuing nursing education.

Contact hours are the specific unit of measurement applied to CNE. A contact hour is defined as "sixty consecutive minutes of participation in a learning activity."2 The term continuing education unit, abbreviated CEU, is a generic form of measurement not directly applicable to the nursing contact hour requirement. The specific definition of the abbreviation CEU is not standardized across the professions that may use the abbreviation.

Continuing Medical Education, abbreviated as CME is not acceptable for the RN or LVN to use to meet continuing competency requirements, however, it is acceptable for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) when in the APRN's advanced population focus area and role recognized by the Board.3

• 1Board Rule 216.1 (12)
• 2Board Rule 216.1 (11)
• 3Board Rule 216.3 (c)

Audit Process

The Board conducts random audits to determine compliance with the continuing competency requirements (Board Rule 216.9) Written notice is e-mailed to the nurse’s email address on file or mailed to the last known address (if no e-mail is on record). This notice is sent 90 days prior to the renewal dates for nurses who are chosen randomly by computer. The email notification is sent by our service provider, e-Strategy Solutions. You will not be able to proceed with the renewal of your license until adequate proof of continuing competency has been submitted and approved. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for review of the submitted audit. You will receive an email at the address on file, notifying you of the outcome of your audit, and whether any additional action is required on your part. The audit process is defined in Board Rule 216.9

What do I need to do if I get selected for a Continuing Competency audit?

For information and instructions on how to submit proof of your continuing education documentation please log into the e-Strategy Solutions website at https://ce.esslearning.com using your license number and date of birth.

Who is e-Strategy Solutions?

eStrategy Solutions, (esslearning), is an online service provider to the Texas Board of Nursing, contracted by the State of Texas. EStrategy Solutions supports licensees, applicants, and other users in the completion of continuing education audits, courses, webinars, workshops, and other online activities at the direction of The Texas Board of Nursing. eStrategy Solutions may identify themselves as “The Help Desk,” pursuant to assisting users on the Board’s behalf. You may contact them for assistance with the process by clicking on “Help,” “Technical Support,” or by calling (800) 215-0641.

How long does it take the Board to review the audit once I have submitted it?

The Board of Nursing makes every effort to process audits within ten (10) days of receipt. Audits are processed in the order in which they are received.

I was selected for a continuing competency audit, submitted more than enough continuing nursing education (CNE), and received an email rejecting my CNE. What do I do now?

If you were notified that your audit failed, when you log back into the audit site, proceed to the activities section. The rejected activities have a red "thumbs down" indicator next to them. If you double click on the indicator, you will see the specific reason for rejection. For example, the certificates of completion are required to contain specific information including: the name of the provider (who presented or provided the CNE), the title of the program, the date and location of the program, the number of contact hours provided, the provider number, and the name of the credentialing agency.8 For more information regarding acceptable CNE, see the Continuing Nursing Education & Competency page.

• 8Board Rule 216.4

My certificate of completion has more than one course listed on it and I was awarded a different amount of hours for each one. Do I have to list these activities separately?

Yes. Each activity completed must be listed separately.

I will be using my schooling as proof of my continuing education. Does my official transcript need to be in a sealed envelope?

No, for CNE Audit purposes, an official transcript in a sealed envelope is not necessary, an unofficial copy will do.

What if I don't agree with the results of the Board audit findings in relation to my compliance with continuing competency requirements?

You may submit a written letter of appeal within 20 days of your notification of the audit results.9  You may appear in person when the review is conducted pursuant to your letter requesting an appeal.10 Once the Board makes a decision after an appeal, that decision is final and binding.11

• 9Board Rule 216.10 (a)
• 10Board Rule 216.10 (b)
• 11Board Rule 216.10 (c)

I submitted CNE in response to an audit but now I cannot renew my nursing license. Why?

My license expired before I was able to complete the audit process and now I can’t log into e-strategy Solutions. How do I take care of this?

Once your license expires, you must follow the instructions for a delinquent renewal. The delinquent renewal form can be downloaded at the following link.

Area of Practice

What does "area of practice" mean?

A nurse's area of practice is defined as any activity, assignment, or task in which the nurse utilized nursing knowledge, judgment, or skills during the licensure renewal cycle. If a nurse does not have a current area of practice, the nurse may refer to his or her last area of practice or most recent area of practice.4

• 4Board Rule 216.1 (4)

How do I apply this to my area of practice?

Some continuing nursing education (CNE) topics apply to all areas of nursing practice, such as confidentiality, documentation, ethics, recognition of substance use disorders, epidemiology, and nursing law and rules. Other topics apply broadly across nursing practice areas, such as health promotion, disease prevention, and management of chronic diseases.
To identify your area of practice, think about what you do on a daily basis in your job. Do you take care of patients? If so, then what types of patients are they, adult, pediatric, geriatric? What types of disease states do they have and what types of medications and treatments do they receive? For example, a nursing director of two units, an orthopedic unit and an oncology unit, could complete CNE in any area related to the disease processes and prevention strategies applicable to the patient populations in those units, as well as CNE related to the role of nursing director, such as health care: finance, management, quality improvement and error prevention.
Some traditional areas of practice, where the nurse is working directly with patients, are easy to identify, such as critical care, wound care, hospice, home health, geriatrics, and pediatrics. Nursing administration and education are also traditional areas of practice. Newer areas of practice, such as nursing informatics or genetics, may not have as many CNE opportunities. If we use nursing informatics as an example of a relatively new nursing specialty, then what types of CNE might apply? Informatics may impact medication administration, documentation, orders, confidentiality, and nursing process inclusive of care delivery, quality improvement, data collection, and nursing research. The nurse specializing in nursing informatics may have a sub specialization in a specific aspect of informatics that would guide the nurse's selection of CNE to align with the nurse's continued competence in the nurse's area of practice.

What if I want to learn about a new area of nursing practice?

You may choose to achieve more than the minimum requirement of 20 contact hours or there may be a CNE activity that both addresses your current area of practice and incorporates an additional area of practice that may be new to you.

I have more than one area of practice; do I need 20 contact hours in each area of practice?

No, you may choose to attain all of your contact hours in any or all or your areas of practice, but you do not need more than the 20 required contact hours total. You may choose to attain more than the required minimum and you may choose how to distribute your learning across your multiple areas of practice.

Last licensure time period, I got extra CNE; can I use it for my next licensure?

No, the CNE hours must be earned within the two-year period immediately preceding the license renewal, beginning with the first day after the renewal month until the last day of the subsequent renewal. For example, if you are to renew your license in December 2011 (your birth month), then you must earn CNE hours between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.

Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)

I have 19.3 contact hours. Where can I find a continuing nursing education (CNE) opportunity for 0.7 hours prior to my licensure renewal next month?

You may find CNE opportunities online, in nursing journals, and in face to face meetings/conferences.  The 20 contact hours in the two-year licensure renewal cycle are not intended to limit continuing education opportunities, but rather set the minimum requirement.

The ACLS course I took did not offer CNE, why can't I count this course?

There are many courses that offer high quality information applicable to nursing practice and that promotes ongoing learning and professional growth. However, if the specific course does not meet the criteria set forth in Chapter 216, relating to Continuing Competency, then the course would not be able to apply toward the requirements. The certificates of completion are required to contain specific information including: the name of the provider (who presented or provided the CNE), the title of the program, the date and location of the program, the number of contact hours provided, the provider number, and the name of the credentialing agency.13

• 13Board Rule 216.4

I am a nurse educator. What CNE topics or certifications would be applicable to my area of practice?

A nurse educator may have different teaching roles, such as nursing faculty or staff nurse educator. CNE courses should incorporate and relate to knowledge, skills, or activities performed or required by the nurse in his or her area of practice. Both nursing faculty and staff nurse educators have the option of completing CNE with general nursing applicability, such as courses in confidentiality, documentation, ethics, recognition of substance use disorders, epidemiology, and nursing law and rules. Any CNE courses in which nursing faculty or nurse educators learn about new technology, treatment regimens, or enhance his or her teaching skills would meet the requirements.

Nursing faculty must be skilled in effectively teaching students about nursing practice and could meet their CNE requirements by completing courses related to topics they will be responsible for teaching. For example, courses in clinical assessment, medication administration, nursing documentation, patient advocacy, new technology, treatment regimens and nursing jurisprudence would be approved topics. Nursing faculty could also complete more specialized CNE courses specific to the education setting, such as curriculum development or that relate to particular clinical rotations.

Similarly, the staff nurse educator must be skilled in effectively teaching nursing staff and may complete CNE courses related to the role of staff nurse educator, such as principles of teaching and learning. Other categories of approved CNE may include subjects particular to practice settings or that pertain to types of patients.

There are several types of certifications that are applicable to nursing faculty and staff nurse educators. A certification that has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certifications (ABSNC) that is achieved, maintained or renewed during the licensure renewal cycle will be accepted. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has certifications approved by ABSNC and may be appropriate for staff nurse educators such as the Nursing Professional Development certification and certifications in specific specialty areas.

Some nursing specialty organizations offer certifications that are approved by ABSNC and are another certification option for nursing faculty and staff nurse educators. While the National League for Nursing (NLN) has a valuable certification for nurse educators, it is not approved by ABSNC and cannot be used to meet the BON continuing competency requirements.

I am a nurse administrator. What CNE topics or certifications would be applicable to my area of practice?

As a nurse administrator, you must be familiar with many areas of nursing practice such as leadership, management, administration, finance, policy development, interdisciplinary teams, and nursing services including those specific to your setting. CNE in any of these areas would be appropriate. For example, a nurse manager for a pediatric unit could complete continuing nursing education in nursing administration and areas related to pediatric nursing.

Certification is another option to meet the continuing competency requirements. A certification that has been approved by ABSNC that is achieved, maintained or renewed during the licensure renewal cycle is accepted. ANCC has certifications approved by ABSNC and potentially appropriate for a nurse administrator such as the Nurse Executive, and the Nurse Executive, Advanced certifications. It may be appropriate for a nurse administrator in a specific specialty to have a specialty specific certification such as those offered either through ANCC or nursing specialty organizations that are approved by ABSNC.

I work in utilization review. What CNE topics or certifications would be applicable to my area of practice?

Utilization review nurses need to be knowledgeable about many different types of patients and the care they receive. Therefore, CNE topics for utilization review nurses include evidence-based practices appropriate to the care of patient populations the utilization nurse oversees. All aspects of care related to the patient populations or the applicable care settings would be appropriate topics for approved CNE courses. For example, a utilization review nurse for nursing home patients would need to be familiar with medication administration and safety, documentation, nutrition, skin and wound care, fall prevention, RN delegation, and regulations applicable to the practice setting. When the utilization review nurse is also making decisions regarding different types of insurance or payment options, CNE on these topics would also be appropriate.

Utilization review is a specialty that is not limited to nurses. Some of the certifications offered in this area are available to non-nurses and are not approved by ABSNC. However, certification is valuable, even when it does not meet the Board of Nursing (BON) requirements for continuing competency. In addition, some certifications require CNE that could be used to meet both the certification requirements and the BON continuing competency requirements.

I am an attorney and I am a nurse. What CNE topics would be applicable to my area of practice?

Some attorneys represent nurses, such as in administrative law, or civil suits. If you utilize nursing knowledge as you represent a nurse, you will need to be familiar with the practice area involved, and could complete CNE related to this area. An attorney, who is a nurse and is practicing law in an area that is not related to nursing, would refer back to his or her last area of nursing practice to complete the CNE requirements.

Revised July 2017

Continuing Education is often abbreviated as CE and may be used in reference to general continuing education in many different professions, rather than specific to the continuing education for nurses. Continuing Education (CE) is defined in Board Rules as "programs beyond the basic preparation which are designed to promote and enrich knowledge, improve skills, and develop attitudes for the enhancement of nursing practice, thus improving health care to the public."¹ While some continuing education may be nursing specific, use of the term continuing nursing education and the abbreviation CNE makes it clear that this is both continuing education and is specific to nursing. If delivered by an approved provider, the CNE could be used by a nurse to meet continuing competency requirements, if the CNE were applicable to the nurse's area of practice. Therefore, CNE is the appropriate phrase in relation to continuing nursing education.

Contact hours are the specific unit of measurement applied to CNE. A contact hour is defined as "sixty consecutive minutes of participation in a learning activity."² The term continuing education unit, abbreviated CEU, is a generic form of measurement not directly applicable to the nursing contact hour requirement. The specific definition of the abbreviation CEU is not standardized across the professions that may use the abbreviation.

Continuing Medical Education, abbreviated as CME is not acceptable for the RN or LVN to use to meet continuing competency requirements, however, it is acceptable for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) when in the APRN's advanced population focus area and role recognized by the Board.³

• ¹Board Rule 216.1 (12)
• ²Board Rule 216.1 (11)
• ³Board Rule 216.3 (c)

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information including: the name of the provider (who presented or provided the CNE), the title of the program, the date and location of the program, the number of contact hours provided, the provider number, and the name of the credentialing agency.⁸ For more information regarding acceptable CNE, see the Continuing Nursing Education & Competency page.

• ⁸Board Rule 216.4

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To identify your area of practice, think about what you do on a daily basis in your job. Do you take care of patients? If so, then what types of patients are they, adult, pediatric, geriatric? What types of disease states do they have and what types of medications and treatments do they receive? For example, a nursing director of two units, an orthopedic unit and an oncology unit, could complete CNE in any area related to the disease processes and prevention strategies applicable to the patient populations in those units, as well as CNE related to the role of nursing director, such as health care: finance, management, quality improvement and error prevention.

Some traditional areas of practice, where the nurse is working directly with patients, are easy to identify, such as critical care, wound care, hospice, home health, geriatrics, and pediatrics. Nursing administration and education are also traditional areas of practice. Newer areas of practice, such as nursing informatics or genetics, may not have as many CNE opportunities. If we use nursing informatics as an example of a relatively new nursing specialty, then what types of CNE might apply? Informatics may impact medication administration, documentation, orders, confidentiality, and nursing process inclusive of care delivery, quality improvement, data collection, and nursing research. The nurse specializing in nursing informatics may have a sub specialization in a specific aspect of informatics that would guide the nurse's selection of CNE to align with the nurse's continued competence in the nurse's area of practice.

does not meet the criteria set forth in Chapter 216, relating to Continuing Competency, then the course would not be able to apply toward the requirements. The certificates of completion are required to contain specific information including: the name of the provider (who presented or provided the CNE), the title of the program, the date and location of the program, the number of contact hours provided, the provider number, and the name of the credentialing agency.¹³

• ¹³Board Rule 216.4

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have the option of completing CNE with general nursing applicability, such as courses in confidentiality, documentation, ethics, recognition of substance use disorders, epidemiology, and nursing law and rules. Any CNE courses in which nursing faculty or nurse educators learn about new technology, treatment regimens, or enhance his or her teaching skills would meet the requirements.

Nursing faculty must be skilled in effectively teaching students about nursing practice and could meet their CNE requirements by completing courses related to topics they will be responsible for teaching. For example, courses in clinical assessment, medication administration, nursing documentation, patient advocacy, new technology, treatment regimens and nursing jurisprudence would be approved topics. Nursing faculty could also complete more specialized CNE courses specific to the education setting, such as curriculum development or that relate to particular clinical rotations.

Similarly, the staff nurse educator must be skilled in effectively teaching nursing staff and may complete CNE courses related to the role of staff nurse educator, such as principles of teaching and learning. Other categories of approved CNE may include subjects particular to practice settings or that pertain to types of patients.

There are several types of certifications that are applicable to nursing faculty and staff nurse educators. A certification that has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certifications (ABSNC) that is achieved, maintained or renewed during the licensure renewal cycle will be accepted. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has certifications approved by ABSNC and may be appropriate for staff nurse educators such as the Nursing Professional Development certification and certifications in specific specialty areas.

Some nursing specialty organizations offer certifications that are approved by ABSNC and are another certification option for nursing faculty and staff nurse educators. While the National League for Nursing (NLN) has a valuable certification for nurse educators, it is not approved by ABSNC and cannot be used to meet the continuing competency requirements.

nursing services including those specific to your setting. CNE in any of these areas would be appropriate. For example, a nurse manager for a pediatric unit could complete continuing nursing education in nursing administration and areas related to pediatric nursing.

Certification is another option to meet the continuing competency requirements. A certification that has been approved by ABSNC that is achieved, maintained or renewed during the licensure renewal cycle is accepted. ANCC has certifications approved by ABSNC and potentially appropriate for a nurse administrator such as the Nurse Executive, and the Nurse Executive, Advanced certifications. It may be appropriate for a nurse administrator in a specific specialty to have a specialty specific certification such as those offered either through ANCC or nursing specialty organizations that are approved by ABSNC.

of care related to the patient populations or the applicable care settings would be appropriate topics for approved CNE courses. For example, a utilization review nurse for nursing home patients would need to be familiar with medication administration and safety, documentation, nutrition, skin and wound care, fall prevention, RN delegation, and regulations applicable to the practice setting. When the utilization review nurse is also making decisions regarding different types of insurance or payment options, CNE on these topics would also be appropriate.

Utilization review is a specialty that is not limited to nurses. Some of the certifications offered in this area are available to non-nurses and are not approved by ABSNC. However, certification is valuable, even when it does not meet the Board of Nursing (BON) requirements for continuing competency. In addition, some certifications require CNE that could be used to meet both the certification requirements and the BON continuing competency requirements.

A nurse's initial license may be valid for a period ranging from six (6) to 29 months, depending on the nurse's birth date. Following the first license renewal, the nurse must meet continuing competency requirements for all following licensure renewal periods.

For instance, if your first Texas license became active on May 18, 2011, the expiration will be set to move your license renewals to either an odd-numbered year or an even-numbered year based on your birth year. If your birth date was January of an even year, then your initial license will expire on January 31, 2012. This is a fairly short period of time to comply with acquiring 20 contact hours or attaining an approved national nursing certification. Thus, the initial licensure period is exempt from continuing competency requirements.

• ¹⁴Board Rule 216.8 (b) & (c)

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Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC)

A national nursing certification that has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) that is attained, maintained or renewed during the licensure renewal cycle and is in the nurse’s area of practice, will be accepted to demonstrate the nurse's continued competence.

Two suggested methods to determine if your nursing certification is approved by ABSNC:

1. Look on the website of your issuing organization as they may list the approval(s) they have received for the certification(s) they offer. If they list ABSNC approval for your certification then the BON will accept that certification.
2. Go to the ABSNC website (www.nursingcertification.org) and under the "Accreditation" link you may click on the link to "Approved Programs" and look for your certification there. If it is listed, then the BON accepts that certification.

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is another certification accreditation agency. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses-Certification Corporation (AACN-CC) and the National Certification Corporation (NCC) both offer certifications, many of which have been approved by NCCA. At this time, the Board has approved specific certifications offered by AACN-CC and NCC. The certifications accepted by the Board of Nursing (BON) for RNs are:

• AACN-CC: Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN),
• AACN-CC: Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN-E),
• AACN-CC: Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K),
• AACN-CC: Progressive Care Nursing (PCCN), and
• AACN-CC: Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
• ABOHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN), and
• ABOHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S)
• NCC: Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB),
• NCC: Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN),
• NCC: Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (RNC-LRN), and
• NCC: Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC).

Other Board Approved Certifications for LVNs and RNs

The Board has approved two certifications that are offered through the National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc. (NAPNES) in Pharmacology and Long-Term Care. The NAPNES website is: www.napnes.org and there is a link to "certifications" on their home page. The BON also approved the two certifications that are offered by the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association: LPN/LVN Developmental Disabilities Certification (DDC) and Registered Nurse Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing (CDDN).

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)

A licensee who is authorized by the Board to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) may either obtain 20 contact hours of targeted continuing education in the advanced practice role and population focus area recognized by the Board or attain, maintain, or renew the national certification recognized by the Board as meeting the certification requirement for the APRN role and population focus area of licensure; this will satisfy the requirements to renew both the RN license and APRN license.

An APRN who has Prescriptive Authority and who is utilizing the national certification recognized by the Board to meet the licensure renewal requirements must also complete at least five additional contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics within the preceding two years. APRNs that have prescriptive authority and prescribe controlled substances must complete at least three additional contact hours of continuing education related to prescribing controlled substances. Certification may not be used to meet the continuing education requirements associated with prescriptive authority. Category I Continuing Medical Education (CME) contact hours will meet requirements for continuing nursing education for APRNs.¹⁶

Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements in Addition to Certification for APRNs, RNs, and LVNs

Please note that certification may not be used to meet certain mandatory continuing education requirements. For example, certification may not be used to meet the mandatory continuing education requirements related to Nursing Jurisprudence and Nursing Ethics The only certification(s) that may be used to meet the geriatric requirement are the American Nurses Credentialing Center Gerontological Nurse for the RN, or the designated geriatric related certification for the gerontology or gerontological advanced practice registered nurse

¹⁶Board Rule 216.3 (c)

Posted May 2012; Revised August 2015

References:
22 TAC Chapter 216, Continuing Competency
Board of Nursing (2011) Consideration of Developmental Disability Nurses Certification Approval
Board of Nursing (2015) Consideration of Additional Proposed Board Approved Certifications

There are educational programs that might result in a certification, such as an emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, or certified nurse aide (CNA); however, these are not nursing certifications and therefore are not acceptable to meet the continuing competency requirements for nursing licensure renewal. State organizations may offer a certification, but unless the certification was also approved by ABSNC, the certification would not meet the continuing competency requirements. There are certifications offered by organizations approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA); many of those certifications are not nursing certifications. Some of the certifications approved by NCCA may be achieved by a nurse but are not limited to nurses, instead are open to any of the health professions. There are some certifications that are approved by both NCCA and ABSNC. Unless the certification is accredited by ABSNC, or has been approved by the Board, it would not meet the continuing competency requirements.

The content of the nursing jurisprudence and ethics course must include information about the Texas Nursing Practice Act; the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) rules, including Rule §217.11; Standards of Nursing Practice; the Texas BON Position Statements; principles of nursing ethics; and professional boundaries. This requirement cannot be met through an approved national nursing certification. In the Board Rules, Chapter 216, related to Continuing Competency, was amended to reflect the new requirements and became effective February 23, 2014.

In the 83rd regular legislative session (2013), Senate Bill (SB) 1058 required the Board to adopt rules implementing targeted continuing education related to nursing jurisprudence and ethics for a licensing period that begins on or after January 1, 2014. The Nursing Practice Act (NPA) can change each time the legislature meets and licensed nurses are required to comply with the NPA and Board Rules. Required targeted continuing nursing education related to nursing jurisprudence and ethics provides a method of ensuring licensed nurses have updated information related to the Texas NPA and Board Rules at regular intervals. Nurses are required to complete twenty contact hours in the nurse’s area of practice or achieve, maintain, or renew an approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice each licensure cycle [Rule §216.3 (a) & (b)]

This requirement for Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics continuing nursing education was announced in the April 2014 Texas Board of Nursing Bulletin. Please review the Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics Requirement page for more specific information.

For example, consider a licensure cycle that began December 1, 2012 with a renewal date of November 30, 2014. The start of this licensure cycle is prior to January 1, 2014 therefore, a nursing jurisprudence and ethics course is not required in order to renew the license by the end of November 2014. However, this nurse is required to complete at least two contact hours in nursing jurisprudence and ethics between December 1, 2014 and November 30, 2020, again between December 1, 2020 and November 30, 2026, and continue to comply with the requirement before the end of every third two-year licensing cycle. Another example is if a nursing license expires in January of 2015, this requirement begins with the licensure cycle February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2017. Since the requirement must be met before the end of each third licensure cycle the nurse can choose anytime between February 1, 2015 and January 31, 2021 to meet the requirement and then continue to do so prior to the end of each third two year licensure renewal cycle. Another way to think about this is as a once every six year requirement as long as the interval chosen falls within one grouping of three licensure renewal cycles and complies with the onset of the requirement. Please review the Nursing Jurisprudence & Ethics Requirement page for more specific information.

Every nurse, including an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is required to complete continuing nursing education (CNE) related to nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics that is approved for at least two contact hours. These contact hours must be from an approved CNE provider and may count towards the completion of the 20 contact hours of CNE required for licensure renewal.

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP);
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN);
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA);
• American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM);
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC);
• Category I Continuing Medical Education (for APRNs only);
• National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES);
• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP);
• National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN);
• Colleges and Universities; and
• Other State Boards of Nursing.

You might also be interested to know that the Board has two courses that meet the new continuing nursing education requirements for nursing jurisprudence and ethics. The first is an all day workshop titled, “Protecting Your Patients and Your Practice” and the second is the “Online Interactive Course: Nursing Regulations for Safe Practice”. To learn more about these two courses and to register online, visit the BON Course Catalog at https://www.bon.texas.gov/catalog/

Please be aware that the prep course for the nursing jurisprudence exam is not approved for continuing nursing education as it is designed for applicants for licensure who need to take and pass the nursing jurisprudence exam.

You must complete your CNE prior to your licensure renewal. You also are accountable for the accuracy of your answers on your renewal submission. Failure to complete your continuing competency requirements and/or dishonesty on licensure renewal is subject to disciplinary action.

retired authorization is exempt from fulfilling targeted CNE requirements with the exception of those required for the volunteer retired advanced practice registered nurse.¹⁹

The advanced practice registered nurse, who wishes to volunteer, must complete 20 contact hours (CNE or CME appropriate to the advanced role and population focus area recognized by the Board).²⁰

• ¹⁸Board Rule 216.3 (e)(1)
• ¹⁹Board Rule 216.3 (e)(3)
• ²⁰Board Rule 216.3 (e)(2) and 216.3 (c)

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