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Applicant Information

Continued Competency Requirements

Before a license can be renewed, registered and practical nurse licensees must complete two of the following methods for maintaining continuing competency (Article 6 of 12 AAC).

  • 30 contact hours of continuing education prescribed under 12 AAC 44.610 (certified by ANCC, ANA, AMA, a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist certifying body or approved by another Board of Nursing).
    • Approved certifications in lieu of contact hours
    • Only A credits will be accepted for CRNAs. The board has determined continuing education credit will not be given for CRNA B credits.
    • The board will not accept continuing education contact hours or in-service hours for the completion of courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).
  • 30 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities prescribed under 12 AAC 44.620
  • 320 hours of employment as an RN or LPN prescribed under 12 AAC 44.630.

In lieu of meeting the above requirements, licensees may qualify for alternative methods of continuing competency pursuant 12 AAC 44.640 (such as completing a Board approved refresher course, taking the NCLEX, or attaining a degree or certificate in nursing, or made progress toward one, beyond the education requirements for the nurse’s original license by successfully completing at least six academic credits in courses required for the degree or certificate).

List of Continued Competency Professional Activities

Uncompensated Professional Activities Requirement:

12 AAC 44.620. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES REQUIREMENT.

  1. The board will accept professional activities toward fulfillment of the continuing competency requirements set out in 12 AAC 44.600 if the applicant documents
    1. completion of at least 30 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities for renewal of a license, during the two years before the licensing period for which the applicant seeks renewal; and
    2. that the hours of participation in professional activities were earned in at least one of the following ways:
    1. work with a professional nursing or health-related organization;
    2. authoring or contributing to an article, book, or publication related to health care;
    3. development and oral presentation of a paper before a professional or lay group on a subject that explores new or current areas of nursing theory, technique, or philosophy;
    4. the design and conduct of a research study relating to nursing and health care;
    5. other professional activities approved by the board and included on a list that the board maintains; the board will approve only those activities that meet the definition of "professional activities" in (b) of this section.
  2. In this section “professional activities” means activities, performed without compensation, that use nursing knowledge and contribute to the health of individuals or the community.
  • Camp nurse or sport camp nurse
  • Giving injections (flu shots, vaccines, insulin)
  • Volunteering as a nurse i.e. overseas or with peace corps, Volunteers of America
  • Utilizing assessment and treatment plan skills i.e. assessing students in a school
  • Reviewing medications i.e. in an assisted living home
  • Assisting with annual skills fair at a facility or teaching new skills
  • Volunteering in a skills lab at a nursing school
  • Providing health information, diabetic teaching i.e. at a health fair
  • Taking vital signs, heights, weights
  • Providing first aid
  • Pioneer Home, Assisting living homes, or nursing homes helping with activities
  • Volunteering in quality or infection control services in a facility with data entry or records keeping duties
  • Volunteering as a doula
  • End of Life comfort care
  • Attending nursing board or professional association meetings
  • Volunteering as a special needs assistant
  • Providing respite care
  • Providing comfort to families anywhere in a hospital, hospice center, long term care facility, home. Cannot be family members.
  • Volunteering with the American Red Cross in medical/nursing related activities
  • Volunteering in an HIV/AIDS clinics, needle exchange program, providing education, STI screening

Not Accepted

  • Working with a therapy dog
  • Working as a medical assistant
  • Working as a receptionist

Alternate Continuing Competency Forms: