FAQs

The Educational Staff Associate (ESA) - is a certification program offered through OSPI.  You can research how to become an ESA-certified school nurse by clicking here.

One clock hour equals 60 minutes of facilitated instructional time validated by a Washington state-approved provider such as ESD 105. Clock hours are a low-cost alternative to college credits for satisfying the continuing education requirement for ESA-certified School Nurses.

 

For more information about clock hours, click here.

 

ALL registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in Washington State are required to earn continuing education hours to meet the clinical competency requirement for licensure.

- 8 hours yearly for R.N.s and L.P.N.s

 

These hours do not have to be purchased clock hours. A broad range of professional development activities meet this requirement. To find out more information about Continuing Competency follow this link to the Washington State Department of Health website

ESD 105 has a team of Student Records Coordinators that are available to assist you in using the Skyward Health Module.

 

You may contact them directly by e-mailing footprints@esd105.org

 

Be ready to provide phone #, school district and e-mail address and your log-in user name for Skyward (your district sets up access to Skyward for you).

• Continuing Education Requirements and Active Nursing Practice Hours Change

  As of June 12, 2021 the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) has reduced education and active nursing practice hour requirements for active, inactive, expired, and retired-active nurse credentials, and changed the reporting period. Changes include:

  For more information see the Continuing Competency FAQ.

  • Washington State Board of Nursing licensing page

  Additionally, the legislature requires that registered nurses shall, at least once every 6 years, complete training in suicide assessment, treatment and management that is 6 hours in length and approved by the DOH.  For more information, see these links to RCW 43.70.442 and the DOH web page on suicide prevention training.

  • Continuing education and active nursing practice hour renewals are now yearly.
  • Active nursing practice continuing education hours changes to at least 8 hours a year.
  • Active nursing practice hours changes to at least 96 hours a year.
  • Retired active nursing practice continuing education hours changes to at least 8 hours a year.
  • Retired active nursing practice hours changes to at least 24 hours a year (max of 90 days a year).