How To Submit Continuing Education for RN Licenses

All states in the U.S. require that nurses complete a certain amount of continuing education in order to maintain their licenses; however, each state has a different policy regarding how to submit this documentation in order to meet licensure requirements. A little research about your state's board of nursing policies will help make the process simple.

Instructions

Submit continuing education for an RN license

• 1

  Contact your state board of nursing to determine your state's requirements for submission of continuing education for licensure. Some states do not require nurses to submit proof of continuing education, asking instead that nurses keep records of all continuing education courses attended, requiring a signed statement attesting to attendance, and relying on randomly-selected audits. Other states have online tools or special forms included as part of the license renewal process -- you will have an opportunity to provide details for the coursework and contact hours involved.

• 2

  Use the online tools or paper forms provided by your state's board of nursing to list the continuing education courses you have attended. This will only be necessary if your state requires that you submit a list as part of the renewal of your license.

• 3

  Keep copies of any certificates of attendance or certificates documenting contact hours. This is important even if your state board of nursing does not require that you submit a list of continuing education activities as part of licensure renewal. Although your state may not ask for documentation at the time of renewal, nursing officials may audit your records and ask to see copies of this documentation in the future.