| Pain Management CE Requirement: FAQs |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Does this requirement apply to nurses only?
No. The seven-hour education is required for all physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, nurses, nurse practitioners, podiatrists, chiropractors, naturopaths, psychologists and other health professionals. Read more here.
How many hours do I need?
Seven hours of pain management-related CE. One hour must be a course to be provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission (click here to go to the Pain Commission CE course).
The remaining six hours can be your choice of pain management topics. (Click to view the Pain Management Commission's curriculum of suggested CE topics.)
When do I need to have my hours?
You should complete the requirement within 24 months of your first renewal after the bill’s implementation date of 1-1-06. So, if your first renewal after implementation was on 9-2-07, you have until 9-2-09 to obtain your CE.
Most Oregon nursing students receive pain management education in school, which satisfies the requirement. Check with your nursing program director for verification.
Will the OSBN accept any pain management continuing education class?
No. At the moment, the OSBN will accept CEs accredited by an established accrediting body (such as another board of nursing or a national organization/association) for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) or Continuing Medical Education (CME).
I'm a nursing student: Will topics I've studied as part of my nursing program fill the requirement?
Yes. Nursing students should ask their program director for a letter detailing the pain management instruction they received during the course of their nursing program.
When the pain management CE requirement went into effect on 1-1-06, a new question and check box was added to the renewal application: "Have you obtained the mandatory seven hours of pain management continuing education, yes or no?" A certain percentage per month of licensees who mark "yes" on their renewal applications will be selected for an audit. If you are selected, you will receive a notice in the mail asking you to send a copy of your program director's letter, along with copies of your CE certificates of completion to the OSBN office. Unless you are selected for an audit, do not send your CE documentation to the OSBN office.
Does the OSBN accredit continuing education courses?
Not at this time.
Who does accredit continuing education courses?
Other state boards of nursing, such as California, Nevada and Florida, and several national professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), accredit courses for continuing education.
I'm developing a class for my facility. How do I get it accredited for CNE or CME?
Other state boards of nursing, such as California, Nevada and Florida, accredit courses for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE), as well as national professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association. Contact the individual board of nursing or organization for information on how to get your program accredited for continuing education credit. A list of boards of nursing is available at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
How do we know which classes are accredited for CNE or CME?
Look on the literature or advertising for the course you want to take to ensure it says it is accredited for CNE or CME hours by an authorized accrediting body. If you aren't sure, ask the course provider (be sure they can tell you who accredited the course). If you still have questions, call the OSBN office at 971-673-0685.
Do hours I already have count?
Pain management CEs you have accrued since 1-1-04 will count toward fulfilling your requirement (as long as they are accredited for CNE or CME). Any pain management CEs taken before that date will not count.
Are there online classes or websites that offer CEs?
Yes. There is a short list of online pain management-related continuing education sources on the OSBN website pain management continuing education page. A few of the courses are offered at no charge. You may also wish to check the Department of Human Services pain management website for a list of CE courses.
How will my license renewal process change when the CE requirement goes into effect?
When the pain management CE requirement went into effect on 1-1-06, a new question and check box was added to the renewal applications: "Have you obtained the mandatory seven hours of pain management continuing education, yes or no?" A certain percentage per month (yet to be determined) of licensees who mark "yes" on their renewal applications will be selected for an audit. If you are selected, you will receive a letter in the mail asking you to send copies of your CE certificates of completion to the OSBN office. Unless you are selected for an audit, do not send your CE documentation to the OSBN office.
Am I responsible for keeping my records? What proof do I need to show the Board?
Yes. As of 1-1-06, you are required to indicate on your license renewal form whether you have obtained the required CE. This will be verified by random audit. If you are audited, you will need to provide proof that you have received the required CE. Keep the certificates of completion from the classes you take so you can provide them to the Board, if needed.
Do I need to mail my CE documentation to the Board of Nursing office?
When the pain management CE requirement went into effect on 1-1-06, a new question and check box was added to the renewal application: "Have you obtained the mandatory seven hours of pain management continuing education, yes or no?" A certain percentage per month (yet to be determined) of licensees who mark "yes" on their renewal applications will be selected for an audit. If you are selected, you will receive a notice in the mail asking you to send a copy of your program director's letter, along with copies of your CE certificates of completion to the OSBN office. Unless you are selected for an audit, do not send your CE documentation to the OSBN office.
What is a CE, a CEU, or a CME?
CE=Continuing Education.
CEU=Continuing Education Unit.
CME=Continuing Medical Education.
CNE=Continuing Nursing Education.
Both CME and CNE accredited pain management courses will fulfill the pain management CE requirement.
What kind of offerings exist?
Accredited pain management continuing education courses are offered occasionally by health-related businesses, as well as physician and nursing organizations. Several Oregon nursing organizations have developed, or are developing, pain management continuing education courses. As we are notified of these courses, we post links to them on our pain management continuing education page.
You may also wish to check the Department of Human Services pain management website for a list of CE courses.
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