WHY ACCREDIT
1. Nurses want CE that counts
- Nurses need CE to renewIn many states
- Accredited contact hoursAre what nurses look for
- Each state board sets its own rulesCheck what they accept
3 ROUTES
2. How to offer accredited CE
- Accredited ProviderApply directly to ANCC
- Approved ProviderThrough an ANCC Accredited Approver
- Individual activity approvalOne course at a time, valid 2 years
Source: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
THE NURSE PLANNER
3. Every course needs one
- A qualified Nurse PlannerPlans, runs and evaluates the activity
- Current RN license plus a BSN or higherFor approved providers and single courses
- Accredited ProvidersNeed a Nurse Planner with a graduate degree
Source: ANCC.
KNOW THE TERMS
4. Approvals don't last forever
- Approved ProviderUp to 3 years
- Accredited ProviderUp to 2 years at first, up to 4 when renewed
- Some companies can't award contact hoursANCC calls them ineligible
Source: ANCC.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
5. Your first steps
- Pick a topic nurses actually need
- Find an Accredited Approver and ask about fees and timing
- Line up a qualified Nurse Planner
- Check what your learners' state boards accept
Not legal advice. Rules vary by state; check your board and state law.
RN PocketPal: AI-led education for nurses
Study tools, NCLEX practice and shift helpers for nursing students, new grads and CNAs. Free on iOS & Android.
