Recertifying? Here’s a Tip!

• READ THE RECERTIFICATION HANDBOOK COMPLETELY!!
• The Recertification Handbook is sent to you with the first renewal notice. You no longer receive a 2nd copy with your congratulations packet. We consider the Handbook sent to you with the 1st renewal notice as a Master Copy and it should be kept for your entire three year certification period. Rather than tearing about the application and other forms from the Handbook, make copies of them to submit. Keep your Master Handbook intact!!
• ABPANC is pleased to offer members of ASPAN a discount on the CPAN® or CAPA® recertification fee. But, to receive the discount, you must submit a copy of your ASPAN membership card showing that you are a current member!
• If you are NOT being audited, you do NOT need to submit verification forms of your continual learning activities, including copies of the cards issued to you when you complete BCLS, ACLS, NALS, PALS, etc. Just be sure to list ALL activities for which you are using contact hours in chronological order on the Continual Learning Program Documentation
• During a 3-year period of certification, you may earn a maximum of 20 contact hours in Direct Care for life support classes. You may only count one type of class during this 3 year period – for example – even though you may have taken two ACLS classes, you may use one. ABPANC has predetermined the number of contact hours it awards you for attending life support classes:
  • ACLS = 10 contact hours
  • PALS = 10 contact hours
  • NALS = 10 contact hours
  • Instructor Course = 5 contact hours
  • BLS-C = 2 contact hours

  Please refer to the Recertification Handbook, page 7, for clarification of the policy regarding applying life support classes toward recertification.

• When submitting your recertification application packet, don’t forget to sign and date the Continual Learning Program Documentation Form, found on page 20 of the Recertification Handbook.
• Mailing your application — you are encouraged to mail your application and materials in a manner so that you can trace its receipt. Priority mail through the US Postal Service does offer a tracing process and may be cheaper than Certified Mail. Regarding the Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested process, the receipt may take as long as four weeks to be returned to you by the USPS. It is returned as 4th class mail and is not very timely!
• Call the ABPANC Program Associate, Philip Godlewski, (800) 622-7262 at the national office for any questions. He is more than glad to “walk” you through the process!