Pennsylvania Act 2006-58 — PROFESSIONAL NURSING LAW - CONTINUING NURSING EDUCATION

Act text

Session of 2006

No. 2006-58

SB 235

AN ACT

Amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), entitled, as amended, "An act relating to the practice of professional nursing; providing for the licensing of nurses and for the revocation and suspension of such licenses, subject to appeal, and for their reinstatement; providing for the renewal of such licenses; regulating nursing in general; prescribing penalties and repealing certain laws," providing for continuing nursing education.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 12.1. Continuing Nursing Education.--(a) The Board shall adopt, promulgate and enforce rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this act establishing requirements of continuing nursing education to be met by individuals licensed as registered nurses under this act as a condition for renewal of their licenses. The regulations shall include any fees necessary for the Board to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

(b) Beginning with the license period designated by regulation, licensees shall be required to attend and complete thirty (30) hours of mandatory continuing education during each two-year license period. Nationally certified education courses shall be considered as creditable, in addition to any other courses the board deems creditable toward meeting the requirements for continuing education.

(c) An individual applying for the first time for licensure in this Commonwealth shall be exempted from the continuing education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure.

(d) (1) The Board may waive all or a portion of the continuing education requirement for biennial renewal for a licensee who shows to the satisfaction of the Board that the licensee was unable to complete the requirements due to serious illness, military service or other demonstrated hardship.

(2) The request shall be made in writing with appropriate documentation and shall include a description of circumstances sufficient to show why the licensee is unable to comply with the continuing education requirement.

(e) A licensee seeking to reinstate an inactive or lapsed license shall show proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement for the preceding biennium.

(f) All courses, locations, instructors and providers shall be approved by the Board. No credit shall be given for any course in office management.

(g) In lieu of meeting the requirements of this section:

(1) Certified registered nurse practitioners and dietetics-nutrition licensees shall fulfill the requirements for continuing education in accordance with sections 8.1 and 11, respectively.

(2) School nurses who as certified education specialists are required to obtain continuing professional education under section 1205.2 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the "Public School Code of 1949," and under this act shall be permitted to submit evidence of the completion of education courses approved for their certification by the school district.

(h) The Board shall initiate the promulgation of regulations to carry out the provisions of this section within one (1) year of the effective date of this section.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 6th day of June, A. D. 2006.

EDWARD G. RENDELL