Continuing Education is a mandatory requirement for annual licensure as per the SALPN Regulatory Bylaw 10(1)(b). Continuing Education Portfolio (CEP) hours are accumulated annually by licensed members of the SALPN to improve and/or maintain their knowledge, skills and practice competencies through continuing education. LPNs will utilize the program to self-reflect upon their individual practice and to seek additional education to ensure safe, competent practice.

Please click on the following link to view the new CEP requirements; CEP Chart

The Continuing Education Portfolio program is now managed in two sections, both are described below.

Section A: Formal Activities 

This section consists of:

1. Educational activities related to nursing/healthcare including two or more of the following:
   1. ends with an exam or quiz
   2. includes assignment(s), presentation(s), learning package(s), or project(s)
   3. demonstration of competence/competency
   4. interactive group work
   5. results in a credential
   6. can be passed or failed

2. Completion of a Professional Growth Plan (16 reportable hours)

Section B: Informal Activities 

Informal Activities include the following:

1. CPR, TLR, WHMIS, PART, GPA, WAVE recertification(s)
2. preceptorship (8 reportable hours per week of preceptorship)
3. nursing/healthcare committees
4. any other educational activity related to nursing/healthcare not meeting the criteria for formal activities in Section A

For assistance determining which CEP Section your education falls under, please use the following CEP Placement Chart

We have developed an easy to use CEP Placement diagram, see below.

Click on the image to view the full size PDF.

The number of hours required for continuing education is based upon how long you maintained a practicing license during the licensure year. An LPN returning to practicing status (ex. Non-Practicing to Practicing) or the initiation of a license midyear (ex. out of province applicant) will need to obtain CEP hours according to the prorated schedule below:

• 7-12 months licensed
  • 24 hours of continuing education
  • 8 hours must be accumulated in Section A 
    
    
• 3 - 7 months licensed
  • 12 hours of continuing education
  • 4 hours must be accumulated in Section A 
    
    
• Less than 3 months licensed
  • 6 hours of continuing education
  • 2 hours must be accumulated in Section A

Earn CEP hours by undertaking learning that will aid your practice as an LPN. 

For a list of some available CEP opportunities, please click here. 

LPNs may “carry-over” a maximum of 8 hours into the next licensure year only.  All “carry-over” hours must be applied to section in which they were originally obtained the next licensure year. 

When audited, LPNs that claim carry-over hours must submit all CEP hours from the previous year, alongside the hours being claimed in the current year. This is needed to prove that the hours being claimed in the current year are in fact carry-over hours.  

Example:

A Member collects:

• 32 hours in 2017 (8 more than required) = 8 carry-over hours for 2018
• 48 hours in 2018 (24 more than required) = 8 carry-over hours for 2019. 

If audited, the Member would be required to submit all 32 hours of CEP collected in 2017 and all 16 hours of CEP collected in 2018.

CEP hours are obtained by LPNs from December 2nd to December 1st annually.

For Example:  

2018 CEP Hours - From December 2nd, 2017 to December 1st, 2018. 
2019 CEP Hours - From December 2nd, 2018 to December 1st, 2019.

Because CEP hours are due at the time of licensure renewal, all LPNS must ensure they have the necessary hours in place by the December 1st deadline to guarantee eligibility.

LPNs should keep careful record of their CEP hours on their SALPN Member Portal. Uploading your CEP information and proof of completion on an ongoing basis will ensure safe keeping and ease of renewal as the information will be housed indefinitely in the SALPN database.  The SALPN Annual Licensure Audit randomly selects members to provide details about the CEP hours they obtained in the previous licensure year (or more if claiming carry-over), so it is important to always know where to locate the required information.  

Yes, you can obtain hours while holding a non-practicing certificate.  If you return to practicing in the same year, you will be eligible to use those hours towards your minimum requirement.