Physician and Surgeon
Continuing Education

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.

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

The Department, on the recommendation of the Board, may waive the continuing competency requirement, in whole or in part, when a licensee or permit-holder submits documentation that circumstances beyond his/her control prevented the completion of such requirements. These circumstances are situations in which the licensee or permit-holder:

1. Holds a Nebraska license or permit but is not practicing his or her profession in Nebraska;
2. Has served in the regular armed forces of the United States during part of the renewal period immediately preceding the license renewal date;
3. Has suffered from a serious or disabling illness or physical disability during the renewal period immediately preceding the license renewal date which prevented completion of the continuing competency requirements;
4. Was first licensed within the renewal period immediately preceding the license renewal date.

The Department, on recommendation of the Board, may grant or deny, in part or in total, an application for waiver of continuing competency requirements.

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.