Continuing Education Information

Nurses (Chapter 4723-14)

Nurses must complete continuing education activities approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) or other recognized bodies. Each nurse must meet specific contact hour requirements based on their license and certifications.

A nurse applying to renew an active license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) in Ohio must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during the renewal period and at least one of the required hours needs to be in category A continuing education approved by the board.

One contact hour of education that is directly related to the recognition and handling of human trafficking victims or victims of sexual assault is required.

Please note that the Ohio Board of Nursing can accept any continuing education approved by BELTSS (or any other accredited body). Nurses may use this continuing education to meet their licensure requirements. Refer to OBN continuing education rules 4723-14-01 through 4723-14-19. Nurses may obtain 19.5 hours utilizing this rule.

More details can be found here.

Certified Medication Aides (Rule 4723-27-06)

Must obtain 15 approved continuing education contact hours each certification period.

At least one required hour must be in category A continuing education approved by the board.

One hour of continuing education must be directly related to establishing and maintaining professional boundaries.

At least ten hours related to medications or medication administration.

More details here.

State Tested Nurse Aides (STNA) (Rule 3701-17-07 and 3701-17-07.1)

Must complete 12 hours of in-service education annually.

More details here and here.

Social Workers, Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists (Rule 4757-9-05)

These professionals must complete continuing professional education to maintain their licenses. The requirements include ethics, supervision, and other relevant educational activities.

All persons who hold a license in social work must complete 30 clock hours of continuing professional education in social work as defined in 4757.01 of the Revised Code as a condition of renewal.

For all renewals, 3 of the 30 hours shall be taken in the area of ethics continuing education.

For those independent social workers with a supervision endorsement ("S"), 3 of the 30 clock hours shall be in supervision.

More details can be found here.

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants (Rule 4755-23-08)

Physical Therapists: 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Physical Therapist Assistants: 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

More details here.

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (Rule 4753-4-01)

Must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

10 continuing education hours shall be acquired in the area of licensure. For a speech-language pathology license, the 10 hours shall be specific to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology; for an audiology license, the 10 hours shall be specific to the clinical practice of audiology. 10 continuing education hours may be acquired in areas related to speech-language pathology or audiology or both, including practice management, supervision, and ethics, and one hour of which may be proof of completion of a board-approved training program on human trafficking.

An individual licensed as both an audiologist and speech-language pathologist shall earn 20 continuing education hours for each license within the two-year period immediately preceding the licensee's renewal applications.

At least 2 continuing education hours shall relate to ethics.

More details here.

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants (Rule 4755:1-3-01)

Occupational Therapists: 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

Occupational Therapy Assistants: 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

At least one hour must address ethics/jurisprudence/cultural competence.

At least one hour must address mental health or substance use.

More details here.

Nursing Home Administrators (Rule 4751-1-13)

Must complete 40 continuing education units biannually.

At least one course per renewal must be on ethics.

More details here.

Health Services Executives (Rule 4751-1-10.2)

Health Services Executives (HSE) must have an additional 8 CEs in addition to the 40 required to renew the LNHA license.

More details here.

Certified Executive for Assisted Living (CEAL)

15 hours of assisted living-focused continuing education credit are required annually to renew your CEAL®.

CEs requirements are waived for current HSEs.

More details here.

Certified Executive for Home Care and Hospice (CEHCH)

15 hours of home care, hospice, or community-based care-focused continuing education credit are required annually to renew your CEHCH®.

CEs requirements are waived for current HSEs.

More details here.

Activity Professionals (Rule 3701-17-07)

Generally, they must complete continuing education relevant to their role, though specific requirements can vary.

More details here.

For NCCAP Certifications see more details here.

Attorneys

Must complete 24 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) every two years, including 2.5 hours of professional conduct.

More details here.

Dietitians/Diet Technicians Registered

Must complete 75 continuing professional education units every five years.

More details here.

Certified Dietary Managers

Must complete 45 hours of continuing education every three years.

More details here.

Certified Public Accountants (Chapter 4701-15-02)

CPAs must earn 120 continuing education credits every three years. These credits can be obtained through various approved activities, including those offered by recognized accounting organizations and academic institutions.

More details can be found here.

Cosmetologists and Barbers (Rule 4713-21-03)

To renew their licenses, these professionals must complete continuing education related to Ohio laws, infection control, and other professional practices.

More details can be found here.