Nurse Continuing Education: Be Prepared in Case of an Audit

• Nurse continuing education is a facet of professional development that keeps your nursing skills and knowledge up to date with the latest developments and state laws. 
• Typically, a state’s board of nursing will require nurses to complete a specified number of contact hours to renew their nursing license. 
• The boards of nursing may select a few applicants each year to review their paperwork, including proof of completion of continuing education activities. If you’re selected as part of an audit, consider these tips. 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Sept. 12, 2022, and updated on Aug. 21, 2024.

Nurse continuing education is an important part of our career and professional development. It’s required every few years to have a set number of hours or credits completed to renew our license. Sometimes, state certification boards perform audits on these education requirements to make sure nurses are following the policies in their state of practice. It can sound intimidating to receive a nurse audit, but if you’re prepared, you’ll be ready should the situation present itself.  

What is Nurse Continuing Education?

Continuing education helps licensed nurses stay up to date on advances in the field and review important nursing concepts.  

Depending on whether you hold an RN license or an LPN license; you’ll have different continuing education requirements prior to each license renewal. For this reason, you always want to keep track of your license expiration dates.  

Also remember that different states have different continuing education requirements and renewal cycles.

What Is a Nurse Continuing Education Audit?

Continuing education audits are usually randomly selected by the state board.  

If you renewed your license 30 days after its expiration date, or if you’ve been disciplined by the nursing board previously, you’re more likely to be selected for a continuing education audit

If selected, you’ll be notified when you go to renew your license. You will be asked to send copies of your continuing education records to the state board, along with any other requested information,

This is why you should keep all continuing education records for at least four years after completion. Some CE providers, like Nursing CE Central, may even keep records for you. 

You may have up to 30 days to respond to the audit request and provide your information. 

What to Provide During a Nurse Continuing Education Audit

You will typically need to provide the following information for an audit: 

• Your name 
• Title of the course or activity you completed for continuing education 
• Course completion date 
• Instructor or provider name 
• Number of credits or contact hours completed 

If the information provided satisfies the board requirements, all is well.  

Can You Fail an Audit?

It is possible to fail a continuing education audit if you don’t complete, or provide adequate proof of, current or acceptable continuing education information to the board. Engaging in continuing education not taken from an accredited provider is another way you might fail an audit. 

It is possible to face disciplinary action in the event of failing a CE audit.  

How to Prepare in Case of an Audit 

Review Your State’s Requirements

Most states have guidance for nurses to follow on how long to keep continuing education records. As mentioned above, a good rule is to keep records for at least four years.  

Stay Organized

File your continuing education certificates and continuing education paperwork together with all the information you need in a safe place that you can remember and access easily

Be Timely

Complete all requirements for continuing education throughout each year instead of attempting to complete a lot of contact hours or credits in a short amount of time. Make sure the continuing education you want to complete will be accepted by your state board as well.  

What Are the Advantages of Completing Nurse Continuing Education?

Helps with Burnout

The nursing profession is rewarding, but demanding, career that can leave many nurses feeling drained. Continuing education can be a constructive way to re-establish the passion for the nursing field. Nurses can choose continuing education topics that interest them to keep them curious and excited about nursing.  

Advancement

If you’re looking to advance in the field, continuing education shows extra dedication to your career. This is especially true if you complete additional CE courses that aren’t required. You may be able to take advantage of job promotions you wouldn’t otherwise be considered for because you’ll have the extra knowledge it takes to perform the job.  

The Bottom Line

Nurse continuing education should be thought of as an extension of your formal nursing education. “If you don’t use it, you will lose it” is a phrase I often heard from my nursing instructors in relation to retaining policies and best practices.  

We should strive to continue learning throughout our nursing careers. After reading this article, I hope you are better prepared for a continuing education audit and have a better understanding of why continuing education is important in nursing.  

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