HARRISBURG — Starting January 1, 2015, all registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in the Commonwealth will be subject to new continuing education (CE) requirements.
The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA), in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS), has issued notice that all health-related licensees are considered “mandatory reporters” under section 6311 of the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) and as such, are required to complete three (3) hours of DHS-approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements to receive their license. Those applying for license renewal are required to complete two (2) hours of the same training. The selected course must offer approved continuing education credits for RN license renewal.
The amendment to the CPSL, known as “Act 31,” takes effect January 1, 2015 and applies to ALL health-related licenses, regardless of whether license holders are subject to continuing education requirements by their fields governing board. You can read the full text of Act 31 here.
The following organizations are board-proved providers of continuing education credits:
- Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center (www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu)
- Pennsylvania Dental Association (www.padental.org/ChildAbuseCE)
- Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (www.pa-fsa.org)
- Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (www.psna.org)
- Pennsylvania Psychological Association (www.papsy.org)
- Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services (www.lehighcounty.org)
- J&K Seminars (www.jkseminars.com)
- Bala Institute of Oral Surgery (www.snorenet.com)
The Nurse Alliance of SEIU Pennsylvania is currently working to make this training available to our members. Check back with us in the new year to learn more or contact Director Deb Bonn at deb.bonn@nursealliancepa.org.