Healthcare Legislation Passed in 2021

Nursing

Under the Georgia Board of Nursing, licenses for registered nurses expire Jan. 31 of even- or odd-numbered years. If licenses are not renewed by Jan. 31 of the expiring year, the license will be revoked and the licensee will be required to apply for reinstatement with the Georgia Board of Nursing. Registered nurses have five options to fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements: completion of 30 CE hours, maintenance of certification by a national certifying body, completion of an accredited academic program, verification of competency by a healthcare facility or entity, or completion of a Board-approved reentry program.

FIRST RENEWAL

• For the first renewal, LPNs and RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from general CE requirements. • 30 CME hours complete for renewal purposes by a Board-approved provider.

• 30 CE hours must be complete • Maintenance of certification by national certifying body

• Completion of an accredited academic program

• Verification of competency by a healthcare facility or entity

• Completion of a Board-approved reentry program.

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

Dentistry

Dentists must renew their licenses by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. If the license is not renewed, it will lapse on July 1 of the following year, and the dentist will be required to apply for reinstatement.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must submit proof of American

Dental Association (ADA) accredited dental coursework completed within previous years for first renewal period.

BIENNIAL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

• 40 hours of CE. 20 must be completed at an onsite course.

• CPR course counts for four CE hours. • One hour CE must include the impact of opioid abuse and/or the proper prescription writing and use of opioids in dentistry.

Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist licenses also expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. Late renewal is allowed from Jan. 1 of the following year through June 30. If the license is not renewed, it will lapse on July 1 of the following year, and the dental hygienist will be required to apply for reinstatement.

Additionally, dental hygienists are required to complete 22 CE hours during the twoyear renewal period. At least 11 of these hours must be completed in person at an on-site course or seminar. Dental hygienists are not permitted to acquire all CE hours through online courses, journal studies, etc.

Source: Georgia Composite Medical Board website. For more detailed continuing education requirements and licensure renewal of Georgia healthcare professionals, please visit http://medicalboard.georgia.gov. FIRST RENEWAL

• Two hours of HIV/AIDS • Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.)

• 15 hours must be in clinical science • Two hours of Prevention of Medical

Errors

• Submit proof of ADA accredited dental hygiene coursework taken within previous two years to meet CE requirements • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium, in addition to the 24 hours required.)

• One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by

Jan. 1, 2021.)

• 22 CE hours

EVERY RENEWAL THEREAFTER