Pain Management CE Requirements for Oregon Nurses
Pain Management CE Requirements
Does this requirement apply to nurses only?
No. The seven-hour education is required for all physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, nurses, nurse practitioners, podiatrists, chiropractors, naturopaths, psychologists and other health professionals.
How many hours do I need?
Seven hours of pain management-related CE. One hour must be a course to be provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission.
The remaining six hours can be your choice of pain management topics.
Will the OSBN accept any pain management continuing education class?
No. At the moment, the OSBN will accept CEs accredited by an established accrediting body (such as another board of nursing or a national organization/association) for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) or Continuing Medical Education (CME).
I'm a nursing student: Will topics I've studied as part of my nursing program fill the requirement?
Yes, for graduates of Oregon-approved pre-licensure nursing programs. Graduates of these programs from 2009 and later will automatically meet the requirement for six of the seven required hours. The one-hour pain management course provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission (OPMC) must be completed. Not all Oregon nursing programs require completion of this one-hour module during the program.
Graduates from Oregon-approved pre-licensure programs from pre-2009 must complete the one-hour pain management course provided by the OPMC and should retain evidence of the pain-related content received as part of their program. This evidence may be in a letter from your program or in course materials.
Students who have completed graduate level programs and nursing programs outside Oregon will need to complete the one-hour on-line course and will need to be able to document completion of at least six hours of pain management related content. This may have been included in the program or obtained through continuing education.
Does the OSBN accredit continuing education courses?
Not at this time.
Who does accredit continuing education courses?
Other state boards of nursing, such as California, Nevada and Florida, and several professional organizations, such as the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), accredit courses for continuing education.
How do we know which classes are accredited for CNE or CME?
Look on the literature or advertising for the course you want to take to ensure it says it is accredited for CNE or CME hours by an authorized accrediting body. If you aren't sure, ask the course provider (be sure they can tell you who accredited the course). If you still have questions, call the OSBN office at 971-673-0685.
Do hours I already have count?
Pain management CEs you have accrued since 1-1-04 will count toward fulfilling your requirement (as long as they are accredited for CNE or CME). Any pain management CEs taken before that date will not count.
How will my license renewal process change when the CE requirement goes into effect?
When the pain management CE requirement went into effect on 1-1-06, a new question and check box was added to the renewal applications: "Have you obtained the mandatory seven hours of pain management continuing education, yes or no?" A certain percentage per month of licensees who mark "yes" on their renewal applications will be selected for an audit. If you are selected, you will receive a letter in the mail asking you to send copies of your CE certificates of completion to the OSBN office. Unless you are selected for an audit, do not send your CE documentation to the OSBN office.
Am I responsible for keeping my records? What proof do I need to show the Board?
Yes. As of 1-1-06, you are required to indicate on your license renewal form whether you have obtained the required CE. This will be verified by random audit. If you are audited, you will need to provide proof that you have received the required CE. Keep the certificates of completion from the classes you take so you can provide them to the Board, if needed.
Do I need to mail my CE documentation to the Board of Nursing office?
When the pain management CE requirement went into effect on 1-1-06, a new question and check box was added to the renewal application: "Have you obtained the mandatory seven hours of pain management continuing education, yes or no?" A certain percentage per month of licensees who mark "yes" on their renewal applications will be selected for an audit. If you are selected, you will receive a notice in the mail asking you to send a copy of your program director's letter, along with copies of your CE certificates of completion to the OSBN office. Unless you are selected for an audit, do not send your CE documentation to the OSBN office.