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Continuing Education Approval Process

NEW - Web-Based Application Update

AORN’s new state-of-the-art online application makes applying for contact hours easy, surpassing industry standards. If you have used our previous web application, this is not the same system. Our new system expands the capability of our previous application in the following ways:

An index allows applicants to access over a dozen different parts of the application at any time so that you can complete information as you receive it.
You can create a basic promotional flyer by clicking a button
Larger educational activities that occur over several days can be completed in one application
Healthcare Facilities, Ambulatory Settings, Entrepreneurs, and Industry can now apply via our web application

Your Certificate of Attendance and Evaluation forms are still automatically generated. And, your approved application and Post Activity Reports are stored online, eliminating paperwork and filing.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS

Continuing education activities for registered nurses (RNs) may be submitted to AORN's Continuing Education Approval Committee (CEAC) for approval of contact hours. This requires:

Content classified as continuing education for nurses
One planning committee member with a BSN/MSN degree in nursing
A completed CE Approval Application – now completely web-based
Submission of the appropriate fee

Each application for approval of contact hours submitted to the AORN Approval Unit is reviewed by members of the Continuing Education Approval Committee (CEAC), a 16-member volunteer peer group of perioperative registered nurses, each holding a Bachelor of Science or higher degree in nursing. The Continuing Education Approval Committee's qualitative review ensures that the application is:

Accurate
Meets American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) criteria
Is relevant to professional practice
Meets the learning level of the target audience
A Quality Assurance process to ensure consistency

Once an application has been reviewed, the applicant is notified of the results via email. If an application has met all ANCC requirements upon first review, the application is APPROVED immediately. If corrections are required, the application receives an APPROVAL PENDING status and the applicant is told specifically what information is still needed or needs revision and is provided with examples/suggestions to assist in making those corrections.

A corrected application must be returned by a specified date and confirmed. If all requirements have been met, the program is APPROVED and final notification to the applicant is made. No program may be presented without this final approval from the Approval Process Project Coordinator. Approval must be obtained before the activity date.

We recommend that you submit your application several weeks in advance of the activity date to allow enough time for any revisions that are required.

All applications receive a two-year approval. The program expires two years after the approval date and can be presented at any time during those two years.

If you are submitting your contact hour application for the first time, or if you would like a refresher, view How to Simplify the Contact Hour Application Process.

For more information, contact the Approval Unit, or by phone at 800-755-2676, Ext. 254.

Chapter Programs Approved from the Continuing Education Approval Committee (CEAC):

List of Chapter Programs (PDF) - approved by CEAC for 2006
List of Chapter Programs (PDF) - approved by CEAC for 2007

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

INTRODUCTORY FEE SCHEDULE

AORN’s web-based application process

Eliminates almost all paper files.
Stores your application online in a password protected area.
Automatically generates Certificates and Evaluation forms
Stores Post Activity Reports online eliminating the need to send these reports to AORN

Applications are accepted from AORN chapters, specialty assemblies, state councils, entrepreneurs, health care providers (hospitals, ambulatory settings, clinics), and industry. Providing a web-based process is new technology, and helps AORN promote industry standards and the latest research.

All applications for contact hours should be submitted through our web-based process.

Additional Resources:

BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete your application online