Common Questions Re: The Pain Management Continuing Education (CE) Requirement

Who has to complete this requirement?

The requirement applies to all currently licensed:

• Physicians (MD, DO)
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Licensed nurses (RN, LPN)
• Pharmacists
• Psychologists
• Chiropractors
• Acupuncturists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Dentists* (see note below)

*Dentists are only required to complete the one-hour online pain management presentation created by the OPMC, located at www.oregon.gov/dhs/pain/training.shtml

What is the requirement? How many CE credits do I need?

The requirement for those licensees listed above has two components:

1. Completion of the online pain management presentation created by the OPMC, located at www.oregon.gov/dhs/pain/training.shtml
2. Completion of six (6) additional continuing education hours approved with the proper accreditation required by your licensing board. This may be through conferences, trainings, online courses, etc.

If I have 7 or more hours of CE credits, but didn't do the online presentation, do I still need to do it?

Yes

When do I have to complete this requirement?

Required completion is attached to your license renewal date. When is the date of your first renewal after Jan. 1, 2006? You have 24 months after that renewal to have completed the entire requirement. Any CEs completed since Jan. 1, 2004, will be accepted.

Do I need these CE credits every time I renew my license?

No, continuing education in pain management is a one-time only requirement.

Do I need to send my certificates in with my license renewal?

No. Most licensing boards will ask for a signed confirmation of completion on the renewal form. Then a random audit of licensees will be selected to produce evidence of completion.

I can't complete the online presentation because I have no computer.

The online presentation is very simple and takes only a minimal amount of computer skill. The entire presentation is a series of slides that you read at your own pace. This has taken, on average, approximately 20 minutes for most people. Licensees are usually able to use a computer at work, or through friends, family, neighbors, library, etc. If a licensee has absolutely no access to a computer, a paper version of the presentation can be mailed, with name and license information manually entered in the computer database. If you require a paper copy of the presentation, please contact Jennifer Wagner at 503-945-7009.

I took the online presentation course, but was unable to print a certificate.

If you can tell us about what date you completed the presentation, we can verify your registration in our database. A completion certificate will then be e-mailed or mailed. This certificate can be retained for your records.

How do I know what conferences or trainings will qualify to meet this requirement?

You can review some of the pain conferences or online courses being offered by visiting our Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/pain/events.shtml

Any course that totals six hours of content in the area of pain management and/or end of life AND has the proper approval required for your type of license, would be acceptable. Example: physicians must have CME approved credits, nurses must have CEU approved credits, etc. Each licensing board requires a slightly different type of approval. Most licensees know what they need.

If you are in doubt about the type of accreditation needed, visit your licensing board's Web site.

For further assistance with the Pain Management continuing education requirement or online presentation, please contact Jennifer Wagner, 503-945-7009.

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