Are continuing education hours required once I obtain my online RN to BSN degree?

All registered nurses in Ohio are required to complete continuing education (CE) classes in order to obtain a license renewal. A new graduate from any accredited RN program may practice without CE units until the time of the second license renewal. CE requirements apply to RNs regardless of educational preparation; in today’s complex health care environment, a BSN should be considered the minimum preparation. The requirements do not change for an educational upgrade such as an online RN to BSN degree. When the licensee submits an application for license renewal, documentation of continuing education units is also required.

An RN in Ohio practices under the auspices of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act, which delineates all requirements and standards for practice. Ohio RNs must complete 24 units of continuing education every two years. All RNs have the same CE requirements except for advanced practice nurses (APNs) such as nurse practitioners. APNs in Ohio must maintain national certification if certified. Uncertified APNs need at least 36 hours of CE to renew an RN license; 24 hours in general nursing practice and 12 hours specific to their specialty or area of practice. Nurse midwives, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who prescribe medications must also complete pharmacology CEs. An APN must complete 12 hours or pharmacology if the certificate to prescribe has been held for the full renewal period and six hours if the certificate to prescribe has been held for less than the full renewal period.

Each RN must complete one hour of Category A CE specific to the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and Board of Nursing.

All continuing education for Ohio RNs is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Academic credit from an accredited college or university can be used to satisfy the CE requirement. Hours of CE vary according to whether the institution is on a quarter, trimester or semester system. One credit hour in a quarter system is equivalent to 10 CE hours; in a trimester system, it is equivalent to 12 CE hours and in a semester system it is equivalent to 15 CE hours.

Each RN must maintain documentation of completed CEs for a minimum of six years in case of an audit. An RN in Ohio has a one-time option to opt out of the CE requirements for one renewal period. The waiver cannot be used for reactivating an inactive license and a non-certified APN cannot use the waiver to opt out of the additional 12 CE hours required above that for all RNs. CE requirements to reinstate an inactive RN license are similar to those for active RNs unless the license has been inactive for more than six years.