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CPAN®/CAPA® Recertification Program at a Glance Take a LOOK — it is easy to recertify!

New Postmark Deadlines

  • If your recertification status is due to expire November 1st, your recertification materials must be postmarked no later than November 1st.
  • If your recertification status is due to expire April 1st, your recertification materials must be postmarked no later than April 1st.
Clinical Practice Eligibility

  • A minimum of 1200 hours of clinical practice required during the 3-year recertification period

Terminology

  • Direct Care (DC): DC learning activities have a direct impact on patient care
  • Indirect Care (IC): IC learning activities primarily impact the nurse and his/her ability to deliver care
  • Contact Hours: 1 Contact Hour = 50 minutes of class time

Contact Hour Requirements

  • Renewing for the 1st time? Must have a total of 90 Contact Hours: a minimum of 60 Contact Hours must be in DC and no more than 30 Contact Hours in IC.
  • Renewing for the 2nd time? Must have a total of 90 Contact Hours: a minimum of 45 Contact Hours must be in DC and no more than 45 Contact Hours in IC.
  • Renewing for the 3rd time or more? Must have a total of 90 contact hours but no minimums or maximums in DC or IC! You choose how to distribute your contact hours.
  • If you choose, all 90 Contact Hours may be in DC, regardless of how many times you have renewed.

Determining the number of contact hours granted for an activity

  • Are you giving the lecture? If so, you will earn 4 Contact Hours for each 50 minutes of an original lecture given by you; 2 repeats of the same class are allowed during the 3 year period and each will be granted 1 Contact Hour each

    Contact Hours will no longer be granted for revisions of policies, procedures, etc.

Life Support Courses

The number of contact hours to be given for Life Support Classes has been predetermined by ABPANC, regardless of the length of time you spent taking the class. During each 3-year recertification period, a maximum of 20 Contact Hours will be given in DC ONLY.

    • BLS-C course attendance=2 Contact Hours
    • l ACLS, PALS, or NALS course attendance=10 Contact Hours
    • 1 ACLS, PALS, NALS and BCLS Instructor course attendance=5 Contact Hours

Please note: You may only earn credit for one type of class during your recertification period. For example, if you take ACLS twice, you will receive credit for only one class.

Teaching Life Support courses

1 Contact Hour for each 50 minutes of teaching up to a maximum of 15 Contact Hours in DC per 3 year period

Other

Precepting — You can earn credit for precepting any staff member, not just Registered Nurses! For every 80 hours of precepting, you earn 5 Contact Hours, to a maximum of 15 Contact Hours.

Be sure to refer to your Recertification Handbook for specific information or contact the ABPANC national office!