DHHS Internet Website - Public Health

Physician and Surgeon
Continuing Competency

NOTE: For types of activities which qualify as Category 1 see AMA PRA Category 1 or AOA.

On or before October 1, 2004, and on or before October 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter, each physician and osteopathic physician and surgeon who is licensed in the State of Nebraska shall, as a condition for renewal of his/her license:

1. Earn one of the following in order to meet the continuing competency requirement:

1. 50 hours of Category 1 continuing education approved as follows:

1. Approved by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); and
2. One year of participation in an approved graduate medical education program is approved as 50 hours of Category 1 continuing education; and
3. Hours are to be earned within the 24 months immediately preceding the date of expiration, except that a licensee who has earned more than the 50 hours required for license renewal for one 24 month renewal period is allowed to carry over up to 25 hours to the next 24 month renewal period. OR

2. The AMA Physician’s Recognition Award or the AOA CME Certification earned within the 24 months immediately preceding the date of expiration; and

Each licensee must submit to the Department an affidavit attesting that s/he has met the continuing competency requirement for the 24 months immediately preceding the date of expiration; and

Each licensee is responsible for maintaining their records verifying attendance at category 1 continuing education programs or otherwise meeting the continuing competency requirement.

Waiver of Continuing Competency Requirements:

The Department waives continuing competency requirements for individuals who were first credentialed within the 24-month period immediately preceding the renewal date.

Waivers for Military Service:

A credential holder who has served in the regular armed forces of the United States during part of the credentialing period immediately preceding the renewal date, or is actively engaged in military service as defined in 172 NAC 88-002, is not required to pay the renewal fee or to meet the continuing competency requirements if acceptable documentation is submitted to the Department. The individual must document his/her military service by submitting to the Department:

1. Military identification providing that he/she is in active service;
2. Military orders; or
3. A letter from his/her Commanding Officer indicating that he/she is on active duty.

Audit of Continuing Competency

The Board will biennially select, in a random manner, a sample of the renewal applications for audit of continuing competency requirements. Each credentialed person selected for audit shall be required to produce documentation of the continuing competency activities s/he has completed in order to meet the requirements for the renewal period immediately preceding the license renewal date.

1. The Department will send to each licensee or permit-holder selected for audit a notice of audit;
2. When selected for audit, the licensee or permit-holder must provide satisfactory documentation of attendance at or participation in approved continuing competency activities to meet the requirements for the renewal period immediately preceding the expiration date;
3. Failure to comply with the audit may be grounds for non-renewal or revocation of the license.