CE you can trust.

All of ONA’s continuing education programs are recognized by the Ohio Board of Nursing for re-licensure.

Online, on-paper, instructor-led or at your own pace.

Everyone learns differently. That’s why ONA offers several ways for you to stay current:

  • Online, self-paced courses at www.ce4nurses.org
  • Live, instructor-led events throughout the year and throughout the state
  • Hard copy, self-paced courses published quarterly in the Ohio Nurse publication
  • Live and recorded instructor-led webinar series

Ohio’s CE Requirements

[accordion open=”0″] [accordion-item title=”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 September 1 of odd numbered years through August 31 of the following odd numbered year. The LPN licensure period is from September 1 of even numbered years through August 31 of the following even numbered year.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”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.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Q. What is an audit?“]

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.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”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.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”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.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Q: I have questions about CE requirements in Ohio.“]

A: You can contact the Ohio Nurses Association at 614-237-5414 and ask to speak with the Continuing Education Department, or you can contact the Ohio Board of Nursing.
[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Q: You didn’t answer my question.“]

A:  Contact Us, we’ll answer it!
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