Q. How many contact hours do I need to get or renew a license in Ohio?

A: Each person licensed as an RN or LPN in Ohio must complete twenty-four (24) contact hours of CE during each licensure period to renew a license. A nurse who has been licensed by endorsement for less than or equal to one (1) year must complete twelve (12) contact hours. At least one (1) of the required contact hours must be Category A. The RN licensure period is from November 1 of odd numbered years through October 31 of the following odd numbered year. The LPN licensure period is from November 1 of even numbered years through October 31 of the following even numbered year.

Q. How does the Board know I met the CE requirement?

A. Licensee and certificate holders are required to indicate whether they have met the CE requirement during the time of renewal (on the renewal application).  Individuals are not required to send documentation of their contact hours with their renewal application. CE4Nurses does not send your certificate to the Board, but we do keep copies on file for the period of time required by the Board. You should keep a copy of your certificates should the Board request them. Evidence of CE is required when reactivating or reinstating an inactive or lapsed license or certificate, or upon receipt of a “CE Audit” letter. In addition, when reactivating or reinstating a license or certificate, CE requirements may vary.

Q. What is an audit?

A. The Board may conduct a random audit of any licensee or certificate holder to determine compliance with CE requirements. The time period for which you are being audited will be stated in the “CE Audit” letter. If audited, an individual will be asked to send photocopies of CE certificates or school transcripts to the Board. You should keep a copy of your CE4Nurses certificate should you be audited.

Q. What records should I keep and how long should I keep them?

A. Documentation of completion of a CE activity should be supplied by the provider of that activity. If audited, you will be required to send photocopies of documents (i.e. certificate) that contain all of the following information: • name; • title of the program; • date of program completion; • name of the provider; • number of contact hours; • OBN Approver number or the name of the authorized provider or the name of the approval body. All records should be kept for 6 years.

Q. How do I know if a particular educational activity is acceptable to the Board as recognized CE?

A. Any of the following options may be used by a licensee or certificate holder to satisfy the CE requirements:

• A CE activity that has been approved by an OBN Approver or by a board or agency regulating the licensee or certificate holder in another jurisdiction. An OBN Approver is an organization that has been authorized by the Board to approve continuing education activities offered by a provider or to approve a Provider Unit. An acceptable CE certificate will include a statement with the OBN Approver’s name and number.

The Ohio Nurses Association OBN Approver Number is OBN-001-91. CE4Nurses is operated by the Ohio Nurses Association.

Q: I have questions about CE requirements in Ohio.

A: You can contact the Ohio Nurses Association at 614-969-3800 and ask to speak with the Continuing Education Department, or you can contact the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Q: You didn’t answer my question.

A:  Contact Us, we’ll answer it!

Rules for Applying

• Complete application and payment must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the activity.
• Individual activity applications are only accepted through our application software.
• Applications will not be processed until application fee is received.
• During processing, we will contact the applicant via email if we require additional information.
• You may check on the status of your application,through the ONAapply software, at any time. 
• Commercial entities are not eligible to apply for approval of activities or as a provider unit. A commercial entity is defined as an organization that produces, distributes, markets or re-sells products used by or on patients.

Before You Begin

Review and familiarize yourself with the CE process by viewing the 20-minute training video. It explains, in detail, how to fill out an application. 

• Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful Resources

Guidelines for Pharmacotherapeutic hours for APRNs 

Helpful Resources for implementation of Standards for Integrity and Independence

Standards for Integrity Independence Crosswalk 8.2021 v.1

Standards for Integrity and Independence

Key Steps for Identification, Mitigation. and Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships 8.2021 v.1

ONA Financial Disclosure Form 8.2021 v.1

ONA Mitigation Worksheet 8.2021 v.1

Relevant Financial Relationship Workbook

Commercial Support Agreement 1.13.2022

After Approval

Once your program has been presented, please complete the Post Activity Survey within 30 days of the end of the event.

The Ohio Nurses Association  is accredited as an approver of  nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. (OBN-001-91)

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