LB731 was passed by the 2018 Legislature. LB731 requires health care professionals that prescribe controlled substances, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), to complete 3 hours of continuing education (CE) in opiate prescribing in order to qualify for license renewal beginning in 2020 and ending with the 2028 renewal. Continuing education may include, but is not limited to, education regarding prescribing and administering opiates; the risks and indicators regarding development of addiction to opiates; and emergency opiate situations. One half hour of the 3 hours of CE shall cover a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
Nebraska DHHS offers qualifying programs at no cost. The DHHS programs are not peer-reviewed and may not meet requirements for continuing education hours for the renewal of board certification. Certificates of completion will be emailed following successful completion of questions to assess learning.
The DHHS programs will be reviewed and updated with information that is specific to Nebraska prescribers and evidence-based practice recommendations at 6-12 month intervals.
- Naloxone videos (0.5 hrs)
- Pain Management videos (4 videos total of 2.5hrs)
- PDMP On-Demand Training Video (0.5 hrs)
(Content is intended to facilitate participation in the Nebraska PDMP)
Nurse practitioners and CNMs may also participate in CE offerings for opiate prescribing education from other professional education sources of their choice. The PDMP content in courses from outside of the state may not meet the needs of Nebraska prescribers for participation in the Nebraska PDMP.
A random audit will be conducted by the Nursing Licensure Unit to assure compliance with LB731 requirements for opiate education. Individuals selected for audit will be notified and required to submit certificates of program completion totaling 3 hours.
Questions regarding the CE requirements can be directed to Ginger Rogers (ginger.rogers@nebraska.gov) or (402) 471-6443.