Virginia Law

A. All licensees are required to maintain original documentation of completion for a period of two years following renewal and to provide such documentation within 30 days of a request from the board for proof of compliance.

B. Documentation of compliance shall be as follows:

1. Evidence of national certification shall include a copy of a certificate that includes name of licensee, name of certifying body, date of certification, and date of certification expiration. Certification shall be initially attained during the licensure period, have been in effect during the entire licensure period, or have been recertified during the licensure period.

2. Evidence of post-licensure academic education shall include a copy of transcript with the name of the licensee, name of educational institution, date of attendance, name of course with grade, and number of credit hours received.

3. Evidence of completion of a board-approved refresher course shall include written correspondence from the provider with the name of the licensee, name of the provider, and verification of successful completion of the course.

4. Evidence of completion of a nursing research study or project shall include an abstract or summary, the name of the licensee, role of the licensee as principal or coprincipal investigator, date of completion, statement of the problem, research or project objectives, methods used, and summary of findings.

5. Evidence of authoring or co-authoring a published nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter shall include a copy of the publication that includes the name of the licensee and publication date.

6. Evidence of teaching a course for college credit shall include documentation of the course offering, indicating instructor, course title, course syllabus, and the number of credit hours. Teaching a particular course may only be used once to satisfy the continued competency requirement unless the course offering and syllabus has changed.

7. Evidence of teaching a course for continuing education credit shall include a written attestation from the director of the program or authorizing entity including the date or dates of the course or courses and the number of contact hours awarded. If the total number of contact hours totals less than 30, the licensee shall obtain additional hours in continuing learning activities or courses.

8. Evidence of contact hours of continuing learning activities or courses shall include the name of the licensee, title of educational activity, name of the provider, number of contact hours, and date of activity.

9. Evidence of 640 hours of active practice in nursing shall include documentation satisfactory to the board of the name of the licensee, number of hours worked in calendar or fiscal year, name and address of employer, and signature of supervisor. If self-employed, hours worked may be validated through other methods such as tax records or other business records. If active practice is of a volunteer or gratuitous nature, hours worked may be validated by the recipient agency.