Continuing education units represent the formalized learning activities that licensed professionals engage in to maintain and enhance their competence in their field. For Registered Nurses (RNs) in North Carolina, this process is governed by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON), which mandates a Continuing Competence Requirement for license renewal. This requirement ensures that licensed nurses remain current with evolving practice standards, technological advancements, and patient safety protocols. Understanding the specific regulations set forth by the NCBON is necessary for every RN to maintain their active license status.
Required Hours and Renewal Cycle
The North Carolina Board of Nursing requires all Registered Nurses to meet the Continuing Competence Requirement during the biennial renewal cycle. A nurse’s license expires on the last day of their birth month every two years, and the competence requirement must be successfully met prior to submitting the renewal application. This regulation is formally outlined in the Administrative Code, specifically 21 NCAC 36.0232, which defines the accepted methods for demonstrating continued competence.
The total number of contact hours required depends on the specific method a nurse chooses from the board-approved options. The most straightforward path requires the completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education activities. Alternatively, a nurse can combine a lower number of educational hours with proof of substantial practice or a professional activity, but they must select and complete only one recognized learning activity before their license expiration date.
Approved Methods for Meeting Continuing Competence
The NCBON provides a range of options beyond simple coursework, recognizing the diverse ways nurses maintain professional expertise. The available methods allow RNs to select a pathway that aligns best with their current practice setting, professional development goals, and career activities. These options ensure flexibility while maintaining a focus on continued learning and skill application.
Continuing Education Contact Hours
If a Registered Nurse chooses the continuing education route, they must accumulate 30 contact hours of instruction during the two-year renewal period. A contact hour is defined as 50 to 60 minutes of an approved, organized learning experience. The educational activities must be related to the nurse’s practice and obtained from providers recognized by the Board or a national credentialing body. Acceptable formats include traditional classroom settings, online courses, and professional journal study, but courses less than 30 minutes in duration do not count toward the total.
National Certification or Re-Certification
A nurse can satisfy the entire continuing competence requirement by achieving or maintaining a relevant national certification recognized by the NCBON. This option recognizes that the rigorous process of initial certification or re-certification, such as for a Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), demonstrates a high level of specialized knowledge. The certification must be related to the nurse’s practice role and must have been initially attained or re-certified during the licensure period. Documentation requires a copy of the certificate, including the name of the certifying body and the expiration date.
Academic Coursework
Successful completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice is accepted as meeting the requirement. This coursework must be taken at an educational institution and completed during the two-year renewal cycle. Documentation for this option requires a copy of the transcript showing the course name, grade, number of credit hours received, and the date of attendance.
Other Competency Activities
A nurse may select a combination option requiring 15 contact hours of continuing education plus one distinct professional activity.
- Demonstration of 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years, validated through employment documentation or other business records.
- Completing a nursing project as a principal or co-investigator.
- Authoring or co-authoring a published nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter.
- Developing and conducting a nursing continuing education presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours for nurses or other health professionals.
Documentation Requirements and the Audit Process
Nurses must maintain their own records of the completed continuing competence activity. The supporting documentation for the chosen learning option must be retained for a minimum of three subsequent renewal cycles. Nurses attest on their application that they have met the requirement, rather than submitting evidence during the regular renewal process.
The NCBON monitors compliance through a random audit process of licensed nurses. If selected for an audit, the nurse will be notified by the Board, often via the Nurse Portal, at the time of license renewal or request for reinstatement. The nurse must then submit the required documentation to the Board no later than the last day of the renewal month. Acceptable documentation varies by the chosen activity but includes certificates of completion, transcripts, or official employment verification.
Consequences of Failing to Meet Requirements
Failure to comply with the continuing competence requirement means the license will be placed on INACTIVE STATUS immediately following the renewal date. A nurse with an inactive license is prohibited from practicing nursing in North Carolina.
The NCBON grants no grace periods or exceptions for non-compliance with the competence rule. To return to active status, the nurse must successfully complete one of the board-approved learning options and comply with all reinstatement requirements. This process involves submitting the required evidence, paying additional fees, and results in a mandatory interruption in the nurse’s employment until compliance is fully established.