IMPORTANT UPDATE: During the 82nd legislative session (February-June 2023), the legislature enacted AB 267 which changes the requirements relating to the training in cultural competency. As you know, in 2021, the legislature enacted a mandatory requirement of 2 continuing education hours (CEUs) in cultural competency. AB 267 NOW REQUIRES THAT NURSES COMPLETE 4 HOURS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY INSTEAD OF 2 HOURS EACH RENEWAL CYCLE.
What does this mean for you:
Please click on the link below for information on how to determine whether a CE provider is approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing
Please note: MEDCEU is not an approved CE Provider
How many CEs/CNA training hours are required for renewal?
RN/LPN
The Nevada Nurse Practice Act requires all renewing RNs and LPNs to complete 30 hours of nursing-related continuing education per renewal cycle. The Nurse Practice Act requires a 2-hour cultural competency course every renewal cycle. The Nurse Practice Act requires a one-time 4-hour bioterrorism course to be completed.
According to NAC 632.343, licensees are exempt from the requirement to earn 30 CEs for renewal “for the first biennial period after graduation.”
Therefore, new nurses who have earned their degrees within the last two years do not have to earn 30 CEs for their first renewal. However, they do need to complete the one-time, four-hour, bioterrorism CE Requirement and two-hour cultural competency course. The two-hour cultural competency course is required on every renewal.
The Board encourages each licensee who treats or cares for persons who are more than 60 years of age to receive, as a portion of their continuing education, education in geriatrics and gerontology, including such topics as:
CNA
The Nevada Nurse Practice Act requires all renewing CNAs to complete 24 hours of CNA-related continuing training within the certificate renewal period. CNAs must also have practiced as a CNA under the direction of a licensed nurse for a minimum of 40 hours per renewal cycle. While the legislature didn’t mandate the bioterrorism course for CNAs, the Board highly encourages them to take it as part of their 24-hour continuing education/training renewal requirement.
APRN
The Nevada Nurse Practice Act requires APRNs to take an additional 15 CEs directly related to their specialties to include a 2 hour suicide prevention course completed every 4 years, a 2 hour substance use and abuse course completed every renewal cycle, and maintain a portfolio pursuant to NAC 632.2563. Instructions for the portfolio can be found by following this link:
APRN Portfolio Instructions
CRNA
The Nevada Nurse Practice Act requires CRNAs to take an additional 15 hours of CEs related to the practice as a nurse anesthetist.
How do I submit my CEs/CNA training hours to the Board?
Rather than requiring licensees to submit their continuing education/training certificates at the time of renewal, the renewal application asks applicants to affirm (swear) they are in compliance with the continuing education/training requirement and reminds them to retain copies of their certificates in case of an audit. Then, the Board conducts random audits to ensure compliance. Failure to complete the continuing education within the renewal period, or failure to produce evidence of CE/training completion when audited, may result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the article in the September 2019 Nursing News
How long should I keep my CE certificates?
The Board recommends that you keep your annual CE certificates for at least four years and your bioterrorism certificate indefinitely in case of an audit.
What are approved continuing education/training providers?
If a continuing education provider is an academic institution, has a Nevada continuing education provider number, is approved by another state nursing board or health-related board (includes Boards of Medical Examiners, Pharmacy, and social workers), or is recognized by one of the organizations below, it is accepted by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
What is the law for the mandatory Cultural Competency course?
The course must include the all of the following components to be an approved course:
(1) May include the training provided pursuant to NRS 449.103, where applicable.
(2) Must be based upon a range of research from diverse sources.
(3) Must address persons of different cultural backgrounds, including, without limitation:
What is the law for the mandatory Bioterrorism course?
The course must include the following components to be an approved course:
What continuing education/training courses can I take?
Please note: Make sure the continuing education/training provider is accepted by the Board.
How many CEs/CNA Training hours does a course equal?
The Board’s mission is to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare through effective nursing regulation. It is a government agency established by Nevada law to protect the public from unsafe practice by nurses.
You may submit documents or questions regarding your license or application via the message center in your NV nurse portal account. For general questions, you may email them to our general mailbox at nursingboard@nsbn.state.nv.us
The Nevada State Board of Nursing is funded from license fees collected from our licensees. The Nevada State Board of Nursing does not receive funds from the State General Fund.