Ohio law requires nurses who want to renew an active license to obtain 24 contact hours of continuing education. A contact hour is defined by the American Nurses Credential Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) as 60 minutes of organized learning activity. During the period of time after they've first passed their nursing exam and become licensed, they aren't required to complete any continuing education.
Starting on Sept. 1, 2001, at least one hour of continuing education for registered nurses must be an approved category A course. This law affects licensed practical nurses starting on Sept. 1, 2002. A list of approved category A nursing programs can be found on the Ohio Nurses Association Web site.
A licensed practical nurse who keeps an active registered nurse license isn't required to meet the continuing education requirement for renewal of the license in order to practice as a practical nurse. A nurse from another jurisdiction who applies for licensure by endorsement in Ohio isn't required to meet the continuing education requirement either.
The board may require an applicant for renewal to show proof that she's completed her continuing education requirement. If proof is requested, and the nurse fails to provide it before the renewal period expires, her license will lapse.
In order to reactivate an inactive license, or reinstate a lapsed one, a nurse must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during the 24 months immediately preceding an application. Which courses are required varies, depending on whether the license is inactive or lapsed for more or less than five years. These 24 contact hours of continuing education can only be used to reactivate an inactive license or reinstate a lapsed license. They can't be applied toward the continuing education required for renewal of a license. A nurse is required to show proof that she's completed the continuing education requirement, or her license can't be reactivated.
If a nurse requests that her license be placed on inactive status, she won't be required to meet the continuing education requirement for the period during which her license is inactive. To return to active status, she must comply with renewal requirements for continuing education.
A nurse can use a waiver to satisfy the continuing education requirement for one renewal period only. Waivers must be requested in writing. Once a nurse requests a waiver, it can't be rescinded and the use of the waiver will be documented on her license. Waivers can't be used to fulfill the requirements for reactivating or reinstating a license.
Excess hours of continuing education can't be applied to future continuing education requirements.