la-202610-b61194d3f8: Continuing Education Requirement for APRNs Prescribing Controlled Substances

Department of Health Board of Nursing Continuing Education Requirement for APRNs Prescribing Controlled Substances (LAC 46:XLVII.4516) Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S.49:950 et seq., and through the authority granted in R.S. 37:918, that the Board of Nursing (LSBN) is proposing rule changes to Chapter 45, §4516, under Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part XLVII. The proposed change will amend the continuing education requirement for APRNs seeing renewal of the APRN license and renewal of the prescriptive authority. Title 46 PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS Part XLVII. Nurses: Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses Subpart 2. Registered Nurses Chapter 45.Advanced Practice Nurses and Registered Nurses §4516.Continuing Education Requirement for APRNs A.… B.Every APRN with active prescriptive authority who is seeking renewal of the APRN license and renewal of the prescriptive authority credential shall complete a minimum of one contact hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every two years. The one contact hour of continuing education required by this section shall be included in, and not in addition to, the total number of continuing education hours required by the board in LAC 46:XLVII.4513.D. For licenses expiring in 2027, the contact hour of continuing education must be completed by December 31, 2027. C.Approved Continuing Education. In order for the continuing education program to be approved by the board, the program shall: 1.be provided by a board approved national certifying body, a board approved accrediting organization, a provider approved by the board, or be provided by the board; 2.adequately address the topics of required instruction at the advanced practice level with the focus and objectives of the continuing education program on relevant content. D.Documentation. 1.Continuing education certificate(s) must be provided as evidence of completion of the program(s) and as requested by the board. The certificate must contain: a.title of the continuing education program; b.quantification of credit hours awarded; c.attendee’s name; d.date(s) of continuing education program; e.name of accrediting organization, certifying body, or approved provider; and f.sponsoring organization (if applicable) 2. Information on how to access approved, qualifying continuing education courses will be maintained by the board and made available on its website. E.Noncompliance. The license of an APRN: 1.Who fails to comply with the continuing education requirement of this part shall not be renewed by the board, and the RN and APRN licenses and prescriptive authority credential shall become inactive. The individual will not be authorized to practice and prescribe until the licenses and prescriptive authority have been reinstated; 2.Which has not been renewed for failure to satisfy the continuing education requirement, may be reinstated upon application for reinstatement submitted to the board, in addition to all applicable fees and costs, and evidence of completion of the continuing education required by this Section. F.Exception. An APRN renewing his/her license may be exempt from the continuing education requirement on controlled substance prescribing practices upon the submission of certification, in a form and manner specified by the board, attesting that he/she has not prescribed, administered or dispensed any controlled substance during the entire period covered by the APRN’s expiring APRN license. The certification shall be verified by the board through the Louisiana Prescription Monitoring Program Act, R.S. 40:1001 et seq. An exempted individual who subsequently prescribes, administers or dispenses any controlled substance shall satisfy the continuing education requirement as a condition to license renewal for the renewal period immediately following that in which the controlled substance was prescribed, administered or dispensed. AUTHORITY NOTE:Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:918(K) and R.S. 37:1031-1034. HISTORICAL NOTE:Promulgated by the Department of Health, Board of Nursing, LR 45:1202 (September 2019), amended LR 53: Family Impact Statement The proposed additions and/or changes to the rules of the board, Board of Nursing should not have any known or foreseeable impact on any family as defined by R.S. 49.972(D) or on family formation, stability and autonomy. Specifically, there should be no known or foreseeable effect on: 1.the stability of the family; 2.the authority and rights of parents regarding the education and supervision of their children; 3.the functioning of the family; 4.a family's earnings and budget; 5.the behavior and personal responsibility of the children; or 6.the family's ability or that of the local government to perform the function as contained in the proposed Rule. Poverty Impact Statement In compliance with Act 854 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, the poverty impact of this proposed Rule has been considered. It is anticipated that this proposed Rule will not have an impact on child, individual, or family poverty in relation to individual or community asset development as described on R.S. 49:973 Small Business Analysis The impact of the proposed Rule on small businesses, as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, has been considered. It is estimated that the proposed action is not expected to have any significant adverse impact on small businesses. The agency, consistent with health, safety, environmental and economic welfare factors has considered and, where possible, utilized regulatory methods in the drafting of the proposed Rule that will accomplish the objectives of applicable statutes while minimizing the adverse impact of the proposed Rule on small businesses. Provider Impact Statement In compliance with House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 170 of the 2014 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, the provider impact of this proposed Rule has been considered. It is anticipated that this proposed Rule will not have an impact on the staffing level requirements or qualifications required to provide the same level of service, no direct or indirect cost to the provider to provide the same level of service and will have no impact on the provider's ability to provide the same level of service as described in HCR 170. Public Comments Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed Rule to Shawm M. Wolkart, 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 or by facsimile to (225)775-7585. All comments must be submitted by 5p.m. on or before November 9, 2026. Shawn M. Wolkart, MSN, RN Executive Officer FISCAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RULE TITLE: Continuing Education Requirement for APRNs Prescribing Controlled Substances I.ESTIMATED IMPLEMENTATION COSTS (SAVINGS) TO STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (Summary) Other than the cost of rulemaking, there are no estimated implementation costs or savings for state or local governmental units resulting from the promulgation of the proposed rule change. The cost for the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is approximately $250 SGR in FY 27 for the notice and rule publication in the Louisiana Register. LSBN is proposing rule changes to Title 46, Chapter 45, Section 4516, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part XLVII. The proposed rule changes will amend the language pertaining to continuing education requirements for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) seeking renewal of the APRN license and renewal of the prescriptive authority. Every APRN is required to complete a minimum of one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every two years. This requirement shall be included in, and not in addition to, the total number of continuing education hours required by the board. II.ESTIMATED EFFECT ON REVENUE COLLECTIONS OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS (Summary) The proposed rule changes are not anticipated to impact the revenue collections of state or local governmental units. III.ESTIMATED COSTS AND/OR ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO DIRECTLY AFFECTRED PERSONS, SMALL BUSINESSES, OR NONGOVERNMENTAL GROUPS (Summary) It is anticipated that implementation of the proposed rule may result in a small change in APRNs’ costs due to variability in the prices of continuing education courses. IV.ESTIMATED EFFECT ON COMPETITION AND EMPLOYMENT (Summary) It is anticipated that the proposed rule changes will have no effect on competition or employment. Shawn M. Wolkart, MSM, RNPatrice Thomas Executive DirectorDeputy Fiscal Officer 2610#046Legislative Fiscal Office