KRS 314.073: Continuing competency requirements.

(1) As a prerequisite for license renewal, all individuals licensed under provisions of

this chapter shall be required to document continuing competency during the

immediate past licensure period as prescribed in regulations promulgated by the

board.

(2) The continuing competency requirement shall be documented and reported as set

forth by the board in administrative regulations promulgated in accordance with

KRS Chapter 13A.

(3) The board shall approve providers of continuing education. The approval may

include recognition of providers approved by national organizations and state

boards of nursing with comparable standards. Standards for these approvals shall be

set by the board in administrative regulations promulgated in accordance with the

provisions of KRS Chapter 13A.

(4) The board shall work cooperatively with professional nursing organizations,

approved nursing schools, and other potential sources of continuing education

programs to ensure that adequate continuing education offerings are available

statewide. The board may enter into contractual agreements to implement the

provisions of this section.

(5) The board shall be responsible for notifying applicants for licensure and licensees

applying for license renewal, of continuing competency requirements.

(6) As a part of the continuing education requirements that the board adopts to ensure

continuing competency of present and future licensees, the board shall ensure

practitioners licensed under KRS Chapter 314 complete:

(a) A one-time training course of at l east one and one -half (1.5) hours covering

the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, as defined in

KRS 620.020; and

(b) One (1) hour one (1) time every three (3) years covering the recognition and

prevention of pediatric ingestion or inhalation of controlled substances.

The continuing education required under this subsection shall be included in the

current number of required continuing education hours.

(7) As a part of the continuing education requirements that the board adopts to e nsure

continuing competency of present and future licensees and the evolving needs of

the growing senior population, the board shall ensure practitioners licensed under

KRS Chapter 314 complete a one (1) time course of one (1) hour of continuing

education approved by the board. The course shall be completed one (1) time and

count towards the current number of required continuing education hours, except

that graduating student practitioners may submit Alzheimer's and other forms of

dementia course curriculum taught in their programs of study towards the required

one (1) hour for approval. The course topics shall include but not be limited to:

(a) The warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of

dementia;

(b) The importance of early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate communication

techniques for discussion of memory concerns with the patient and his or her

caregiver;

(c) Cognitive assessment and care planning billing codes;

(d) The variety of tools used to assess a patient's cognition; and

(e) Current treatments that may be available to the patient.

(8) In order to offset administrative costs incurred in the implementation of the

mandatory continuing competency requirements, the board may charge reasonable

fees as established by regulation in accordance with the provisions of KRS Chapter

13A.

(9) The continuing competency requirements shall include at least five (5) contact

hours in pharmacology continuing education for any person licensed as an

advanced practice registered nurse.