Section 55. Continuing competency requirements

A. In order to renew prescriptive authority, a licensee shall meet continuing competency requirements for biennial renewal as a licensed nurse practitioner. Such requirements shall address issues such as ethical practice, an appropriate standard of care, patient safety, and appropriate communication with patients.

B. A nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium in addition to the minimal requirements for compliance with subsection B of 18VAC90-30-105.

C. The nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority shall retain evidence of compliance and all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal period for which the records apply.

D. The boards shall periodically conduct a random audit of its licensees to determine compliance. The nurse practitioners selected for the audit shall provide the evidence of compliance and supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. The boards may delegate to the committee the authority to grant an extension or an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 18, Issue 15, eff. May 8, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 05, eff. December 25, 2008.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.