CE Approval Process
The journey to create meaningful education programs for nursing contact hours can sometimes seem like an obstacle course. In reality, the steps are logical, and once mastered, can be completed easily. Always keep in mind that AORN supports your intention to create nursing continuing education, and we will work with you to help you reach approval.
Commercial interest organizations are not eligible for contact hour approval. A qualified presenter from a commercial interest organization may speak on topics unrelated to product. See Definition of a Commercial Interest Organization and description of organizations that are NOT considered commercial.
Read through the instructions below before starting your online application. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at 800-755-2676, ext. 254 or ext. 456.
| 1. Create new application. NOTE: Activity topics must support the definition of continuing nursing education as identified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
Choose correct level:
- Level I: AORN constituents
- Level II: Non-profits and health care providers
- Level III: Entrepreneurs or national/specialty nursing associations, and certain industries.
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| 2. Complete planning committee information. See instructions, page 9 |
- Must have at least two members, one with BSN
- Always include ANCC planning expertise
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| 3. Provide presenter/author information. See instructions, page 9 |
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
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| 4. Disclose Commercial Support. See instructions, page 14 |
- Keep education separate from promotional activities and disclose all commercial support of educational activities.
- Commercial support must not influence the planning, development, content, implementation or evaluation of education.
- If you are receiving commercial support, you must submit a Written Agreement for Commercial Support.
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| 5. State Purpose/goal. See instructions, page 15 |
- Broad statement regarding the outcome of the activity.
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| 6. Write Objectives. See instructions, page 16 |
- Describe expected learner-oriented outcomes in measurable terms.
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| 7. Develop Content. See instructions, page 18 |
- Content must support outcomes and be directly related to the objective. Written as a topic outline.
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| 8. Include Teaching Strategies. See instructions, page 21 |
- Lecture
- Discussion
- PowerPoint slides
- Q&A
- Demonstration, etc ...
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| 9. Upload or provide link to all marketing materials. See instructions, page 28 |
- ANCC accreditation statement must appear on all promotional material before approval can be granted.
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| 10. Submit your application. |
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| 11. The review process |
- Each application is reviewed by members of the Continuing Education Approval Committee (CEAC), a 16-member volunteer peer group of perioperative registered nurses, each holding a BSN or higher degree in nursing.
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The qualitative review process ensures that the application is:
- accurate
- meets ANCC criteria
- is relevant to professional practice
- meets the learning level of the target audience
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| 12. Wait for program review |
- Review time: 3-4 weeks
- Rush review: less than 3 weeks
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| 13. Review status categories |
- Approved: Program approved for contact hours
- Approved pending changes: Please make changes requested by reviews and resubmit for final review
- Denied: Program denied approval
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| 14. Receive program approval |
- All programs are approved for two (2) years from the approval date.
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15. Print Certificate of Attendance and Evaluation forms.
See Instructions p. 32 |
- Access approved applications.
- Click on "Eval/COA Forms" button
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| 16. Submit Post Activity Report |
- Access the POA link in your store application
- Submit 30 days after presentation or monthly for repeated programs
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Go to the Online Application
For more information and for technical assistance, email the approval unit or contact by phone at 800-755-2676, ext. 254 or ext. 456.
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, Inc. is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.