Washington Continuing Medical Education Credit Requirements

Washington required number of CME credits per year(s) 200 credits / 4 years
Washington State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes N/A
Washington RN Required number of CE credits per year(s) Beginning January 1, 2014, and every three years thereafter, each registered nurse must sign an attestation on a form provided by the department of health declaring completion of: 531 hours of active nursing practice 45 continuing nursing education hours The review period begins on the first birth date after receiving the initial license. Acceptable continuing education may include but is not limited to: Conventional classroom education Workshops On-line education Submission of professional articles Self-study On the job learning pertaining to current practice Correspondence courses
Washington LPN Required number of CME credits per year(s) Beginning January 1, 2014, and every three years thereafter, each licensed practical nurse must sign an attestation on a form provided by the department of health declaring completion of: 531 hours of active nursing practice 45 continuing nursing education hours The review period begins on the first birth date after receiving the initial license. Acceptable continuing education may include but is not limited to: Conventional classroom education Workshops On-line education Submission of professional articles Self-study On the job learning pertaining to current practice Correspondence courses
Washington APRN Required number of CME credits per year(s) N/A
Washington ANCC accreditation accepted? Yes
CE for Specialty: Athletic Training No continuing education is required. However, 7 hours of AIDS/ HIV education is required of all Athletic Trainers. Educational programs that you have already taken may meet the necessary training requirements. Licenses must be renewed annually by licensee’s birthday.
CE for Specialty: Audiology/SLP CE: 30 Contact Hours must be completed each 3 year renewal period. License expiration dates are specific to each licensee and expire on each individual’s birthday.
CE for Specialty: Dietetics/Nutrition There is no continuing education requirement. Individuals applying for certification as a certified dietitian must submit verification of AIDS education and training.
CE for Specialty: Emergency Medical Services There are annual requirements and certification period requirements. CE Requirements for EMTs and Paramedics                                                                  EMR:15 hours                                                              EMT: 30 hours                                   AEMT: 60 hours Paramedic: 150 hours
CE for Specialty: Laboratory Technology There are no Continuing Education requirements.
CE for Specialty: Massage Therapy CE: 24 Contact Hours must be completed over a two year renewal period. CE must include: * a minimum of 8 hours in direct supervised massage skills training; * a minimum of 4 hours in professional ethics, communication, and/or Washington State massage laws and regulations. 2 of these hours must include professional roles and boundaries. * 12 hours that involve the direct application of massage therapy knowledge, skills and business practices. Maximum of 12 CE hours of distance learning per renewal period Board does not mandate specific classes to take for CE.
CE for Specialty: Medicine and Surgery CE: 200 Hours of CME must be completed every four years by licensed Physicians. 80 must be Category 1; 80 may be Category 2; 80 may be Category 3; 80 may be Category 4; 80 may be Category 5. Physician Assistants must complete 100 hours of CME every two years. Osteopathic Physicians must complete 150 hours of CME every three years and Osteopathic Physician Assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME annually. Licenses must be renewed every four years (for MDs); every two years (for PAs); Osteopathic Physicians and Osteopathic Physician Assistants must renew annually on or before their birthday.
CE for Specialty: Occupational Therapy CE Requirements: Occupational Therapists (OT) and Occupational Therapy Assistance (OTA) must have completed the 30-hour continuing competency requirement during the preceding two years, from birth date to birth date. Beginning January 1, 2014, OTs and OTAs must complete three hours of training in suicide assessment, including screening and referral every six years, as specified in WAC 246-847-066. These hours count towards the 30-hour continuing competency requirement.
CE for Specialty: Pharmacy 15 hours of continuing education must be renewed every year on the practitioner’s birthday. Must demonstrate completion of 7 clock hours of AIDS education prior to initially obtaining a health care credential. Home study must be approved by the board. ACPE-approved courses for Pharmacy Technicians end in the letter “T”. ACPE-approved courses pharmacists (only) end in the letter “P”.  Courses ending in the letter “P” cannot be used to meet pharmacy technician CE requirements.
CE for Specialty: Pharmacy Technician CE: 10 hours (or 1.0 CEU) annually including at least one hour in pharmacy law ACPE-approved courses for Pharmacy Technicians end in the letter “T”.
CE for Specialty: Physical Therapy CE Requirements: PT’s and PTA’s licenses expire on their birthdate every two years. 40 contact hours required biennially for PTs and PTAs. There is a one-time requirement of seven hours of AIDS education and training is required for physical therapy licensure in Washington State.
CE for Specialty: Psychology CE: 60 hours every three years; a minimum of four hours must be in ethics.    6 hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment and management every six years. Psychology credentials must be renewed yearly. Every three years when a psychologist renews his or her license, they must be able to verify they have completed 60 hours of continuing education (CE). A minimum of four hours must be in ethics and, as of January 1, 2014, at least six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment and management every six years is required.
CE for Specialty: Radiology Technology No CE required.
CE for Specialty: Respiratory Therapy 30 hours of continuing education are due on the licensee’s birth date every two years. Applicants must complete seven hours of AIDS education Minimum of 10 hours approved by the AARC
CE for Specialty: Social Work CE: 36 hours every two years; a minimum of six hours must be in professional ethics and law.     6 hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment and management every six years. The law limits practitioners to 26 hours of distance learning programs per reporting period. Content for the professional ethics and law may include topics under RCW 18.130.180. Beginning January 1, 2014, at least once every six years a social worker must complete at least six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.
Washington CME and CE Education

Note: All information should be verified with licensing board

Resources: http://www.acep.org/| http://ce.nurse.com/ | http://about.continuingeducation.com/