La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-4516

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024

Section XLVII-4516 - Continuing Education Requirement for APRNs Prescribing Controlled Substances

A. Every APRN with both active prescriptive authority and who holds an active controlled dangerous substance (CDS) license prior to promulgation of this section and who is seeking the renewal of the APRN license and renewal of the prescriptive authority credential, shall, as part of the continuing education required by this Part, and as a one-time prerequisite to licensure renewal, successfully complete three hours of continuing education approved by the board on controlled substance prescribing practices. After promulgation of this section, successful completion of three hours of continuing education approved by the board on controlled substance prescribing practices shall be provided upon application and request for approval for controlled substance privileges with the board and will meet the requirements for subsequent renewal relative to controlled substance prescribing. Such continuing education shall include instruction relating to drug diversion training, best practices regarding prescribing of controlled substances, and appropriate treatment for addiction. The continuing education requirement may be satisfied by completing a three-hour continuing education program, three one-hour continuing education programs, or any other combination of continuing education programs totaling three hours.

B. Approved Continuing Education. In order for the continuing education program to be approved by the board, the program shall:

1. be provided by a board approved national certifying body, a board approved accrediting organization, a provider approved by the board, or be provided by the board;

2. adequately address the topics of required instruction at the advanced practice level with the focus and objectives of the continuing education program on content relevant to drug diversion training, best practices regarding prescribing of controlled substances, and appropriate treatment for addiction;

C. Documentation.

1. Continuing education certificate(s) must be provided as evidence of completion of the program(s) and as requested by the board. The certificate must contain:

a. title of the continuing education program;

b. quantification of credit hours awarded;

c. attendees name;

d. date(s) of continuing education program;

e. name of accrediting organization, certifying body, or approved provider; and

f. sponsoring organization (if applicable)

2. Information on how to access approved, qualifying continuing education courses will be maintained by the board and made available on its website.

D. Noncompliance. The license of an APRN:

1. Who fails to comply with the continuing education requirement of this part shall not be renewed by the board, and the RN and APRN licenses and prescriptive authority credential shall become inactive. The individual will not be authorized to practice and prescribe until the licenses and prescriptive authority have been reinstated;

2. Which has not been renewed for failure to satisfy the continuing education requirement, may be reinstated upon application for reinstatement submitted to the board, in addition to all applicable fees and costs, and evidence of completion of the continuing education required by this section.

E. Exception. An APRN renewing his/her license may be exempt from the continuing education requirement upon the submission of certification, in a form and manner specified by the board, attesting that he/she has not prescribed, administered or dispensed any controlled substance during the entire period covered by the APRNs expiring APRN license. The certification shall be verified by the board through the Louisiana Prescription Monitoring Program Act, R.S. 40:1001 et seq. An exempted individual who subsequently prescribes, administers or dispenses any controlled substance shall satisfy the continuing education requirement as a condition to license renewal for the renewal period immediately following that in which the controlled substance was prescribed, administered or dispensed.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-4516

Promulgated by the Department of Health, Board of Nursing, LR 451202 (9/1/2019).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:918(K) and R.S. 37:1031-1034.