Maryland Register

Issue Date:  November 26, 2018

Volume 45 • Issue 24 • Page 1170-1171

Title 10 
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Subtitle 27 BOARD OF NURSING

10.27.01 Examination and Licensure

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§8-205 and 8-312(c), Annotated Code of Maryland

Notice of Proposed Action

[18-313-P]

The Secretary of Health proposes to amend Regulations .01 and .13 under COMAR 10.27.01 Examination and Licensure. This action was considered at public meetings of the Board of Nursing on April 25, 2018, and August 22, 2018, notice of which was given by publication on the Board’s website beginning January 1, 2018, through August 22, 2018, pursuant to General Provisions Article, §3-302(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this action is to allow registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to establish continued competency for renewal of their licenses by selecting the option of obtaining continuing education units (CEUs) in lieu of active practice. At present, continued competency can only be established by 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in the immediate 5 years prior to renewal. The proposal establishes what constitutes a CEU, the number of CEUs required for renewal, rules for accepting CEUs, responsibilities of the renewal applicant, and the Board’s method for auditing CEUs.

Comparison to Federal Standards

There is no corresponding federal standard to this proposed action.

Estimate of Economic Impact

The proposed action has no economic impact.

Economic Impact on Small Businesses

The proposed action has minimal or no economic impact on small businesses.

Impact on Individuals with Disabilities

The proposed action has no impact on individuals with disabilities.

Opportunity for Public Comment

Comments may be sent to Jake Whitaker, Acting Director, Office of Regulation and Policy Coordination, Maryland Department of Health, 201 West Preston Street, Room 512, Baltimore, MD 21201, or call 410-767-6499 (TTY 800-735-2258), or email to mdh.regs@maryland.gov, or fax to 410-767-6483. Comments will be accepted through December 26, 2018. A public hearing has not been scheduled.

.01 Definitions.

A. (text unchanged)

B. Terms Defined.

(1)―(4) (text unchanged)

(5) “Continuing education” means planned, organized learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skill, and ability to enhance nursing practice and therefore improve health care delivered to the public. 

(6) “Continuing education unit (CEU)” means 1 contact hour of 50—60 minutes.

[(5)] (7)―[(17)] (19) (text unchanged)

C. (text unchanged)

.13 Renewal of License.

A.―F.  (text unchanged)

G. Active Licensure Renewal.

(1) An individual applying for active licensure renewal shall show evidence of:

(a) 1,000 hours of active nursing practice [or graduation from an approved nursing program] within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application[.];

(b) Satisfactory completion of all requirements for a diploma or degree from a Board-approved nursing education program within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application; or 

(c) Completion of 30 continuing education units (CEUs) within the 2 years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application.

(2) College or University Coursework.

(a) A renewal applicant may submit qualifying college or university coursework to fulfill the requirement under §G(1)(c) of this regulation.

(b) 15 CEUs shall be awarded for each semester hour completed of a qualifying college or university course.

(c)  For the coursework to qualify:

(i) The college or university course shall be related to the renewal applicant’s nursing practice; and

(ii) The renewal applicant shall receive a grade of “C” or higher, or the numeric equivalent in the course. 

(d) An official transcript shall be acceptable as proof of completion of a qualifying college or university course.

H. Continuing Education.

(1) Except as provided in §G(2) of this regulation,  CEUs shall be approved by an entity listed in §H(5) of this regulation.

(2) CEUs used for the purpose of renewing a license are subject to random audits by the Board or the Board’s designee.

(3) CEUs that are used for the purpose of renewing a license shall be earned within the 2 years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application.

(4) The renewal applicant shall be responsible for:

(a) Ensuring that a CEU course, forum, or meeting has been approved for CEUs by one of the entities listed in §H(5) of this regulation;

(b) Retaining evidence of completed CEUs that are submitted for the purpose of renewing a license for 6 years after the license is renewed; and

(c) Producing evidence of completed CEUs for an audit by the Board or the Board’s designee within 30 days of the request.

(5) The Board shall accept CEUs awarded by:

(a) Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), including all local, state, and national centers;

(b) The American Nurses Association (ANA);

(c) The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC);

(d) Professional organizations offering CEUs for the purpose of renewing a national certification for advanced practice registered nursing;

(e) A local, state, or national professional nursing association that provides educational programs;

(f) The Maryland Nurses Association (MNA);

(g) The National Council of State Boards of Nursing; and

(h) The National League for Nursing.

(6) CEUs may not be carried forward into the next renewal period.

[H.] I.—[N.] O. (text unchanged)

ROBERT R. NEALL
Secretary of Health​