Allied Health Continuing Education: Requirements and Resources

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, allied health professionals play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive patient care. Expanding medical knowledge and skills through continuing education is critical to staying at the top of your field, and it's often required as part of maintaining licensure, and maintaining professional competency. Continuing education (CE) plays a vital role in the ongoing development of allied health workers, providing opportunities to enhance skills, expand knowledge, and advance careers.

The Importance of Continuing Education

Staying current with the latest advancements, techniques, and best practices is crucial for delivering high-quality patient care. Continuing education is essential for allied health workers to stay current, improve their skills, and advance their careers.

Types of Continuing Education Opportunities

Allied health professionals have numerous avenues for pursuing continuing education. By taking advantage of professional conferences, online courses, advanced training programs, and other continuing education opportunities, allied health professionals can ensure they provide the best possible care to their patients and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving field.

Professional Conferences and Workshops: Attending professional conferences and workshops is a valuable way for allied health workers to engage in hands-on learning and network with peers. These events often feature expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops on the latest trends and innovations in the field.
Online Courses and Webinars: Online courses and webinars offer flexible and convenient options for continuing education. Many professional organizations, universities, and health care institutions provide a wide range of online learning opportunities that allow allied health professionals to study at their own pace. AAH provides CE credits available online, allowing you to fulfill your requirements at your own pace. Anyone looking to expand their knowledge or maintain their certification can access AAH's resources.
Advanced Certifications and Specialized Training: Pursuing advanced certifications and specialized training programs can significantly enhance an allied health worker’s expertise and career prospects. Certifications such as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) demonstrate a high level of competency and commitment to the profession.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are a standard measure used to quantify participation in professional development activities. Many allied health professions require CEUs for license renewal and maintaining certification. Professional associations, such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), offer CEU-approved courses and activities.
University and College Programs: Many universities and colleges offer continuing education programs specifically designed for allied health professionals. These programs may include graduate certificates, diplomas, or even advanced degree options such as a Master of Science in Allied Health. These programs provide in-depth knowledge and specialized skills in areas such as health care administration, clinical research, or advanced clinical practice.
Clinical Practice and Internships: Gaining practical experience through clinical practice and internships is an excellent way for allied health professionals to continue their education. Hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings allows professionals to apply new skills, learn from experienced mentors, and stay current with best practices.
Professional Associations: Joining professional associations is beneficial for accessing a wide range of continuing education resources. Associations such as the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) or the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) provide members with access to journals, online courses, webinars, and discounted rates for conferences and workshops.
Employer-Sponsored Training: Many health care employers offer in-service training and continuing education programs for their staff. These programs are designed to keep employees updated on the latest protocols, technologies, and best practices within their specific work environment.
Self-Study and Independent Learning: Self-study and independent learning are important components of continuing education for allied health professionals. Reading industry journals, research articles, and professional publications helps stay informed about new developments in the field. Engaging in self-directed learning through books, online resources, and educational videos allows professionals to explore topics of interest at their own pace.
Mentorship and Peer Learning: Mentorship and peer learning provide valuable opportunities for continuing education. Establishing mentoring relationships with experienced colleagues can offer guidance, support, and knowledge sharing. Participating in peer learning groups or discussion forums allows professionals to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences.

Specific Continuing Education Requirements by Profession

Continuing education requirements vary significantly depending on the specific profession and the state in which the allied health professional is licensed.

Nursing (RNs and LPNs)

In New Hampshire, both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must earn thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal. CEUfast courses qualify as quality continuing education in New Hampshire. These hours should include workshops, conferences, lectures, or other education offerings designed to enhance nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills. Current certification in a specialty will meet the requirements for 30 continuing education hours for RN licensure. Alternatively, 400 hours of active practice in the specialty in the 4 years immediately preceding the date of application can fulfill the requirement. Newly graduated APRNs within the last 2 years may count program coursework and clinical experience for their first renewal. For licensees with an active DEA # for prescribing in New Hampshire, 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours must address opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance abuse disorder.

Athletic Trainers

The Board of Certification (BOC) requires Athletic Trainers to complete 50 CEUs within the 2-year reporting period.

Medical Assistants

New Hampshire does not have any formal state licensing requirements for medical assistants; hence, CEs are not required.

Respiratory Therapists

In New Hampshire, licenses issued will expire two years from the date of issuance, beginning on July 15, 2023. At least 6 hours must relate directly and primarily to the clinical application of respiratory care, as per Plc 1507.04(b). The remaining 6 hours should relate to topics such as:

How to teach respiratory care
Respiratory care supervision and consultation skills
Respiratory care curriculum development
Trans-disciplinary issues or skills applicable to respiratory care
Respiratory care administration and management
Respiratory care research
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or other continuing professional education similarly not related directly and primarily to the clinical application of respiratory care, including but not limited to development of leadership skills and training in emergency management.

Advanced and registry-level credential holders must complete thirty (30) cardiovascular-related CEUs. The remaining 6 or fewer CEUs can be on any topic.

Other Allied Health Professions

On April 29, 2022, the Board of Allied Health Professions issued regulations requiring licensees to complete continuing competence activities (i.e., continuing education) before renewal. All licensees should review the new regulations on Board of Allied Health Professionals.

Online Continuing Education Resources

Numerous online platforms offer continuing education courses for allied health professionals.

American Allied Health (AAH)

AAH offers a simple, fast, and convenient way to earn CE credits online. Their flexible and accessible courses are designed to fit seamlessly into a busy schedule. With AAH, you can earn CE credits online without any hassle.

AAH offers twelve online CE courses covering varying topics:

Obstetrics Anatomy/Physiology: Covers obstetrical and gynecological anatomy & physiology.
Mental Health and Patient Assessments: Covers privacy & confidentiality, recognizing symptoms, preventing disruptive behavior, and admissions & resources.
The Skills of Communication: Covers the basics of communication in healthcare and how to avoid potential barriers.
Diagnostic Testing for OB/GYN: Aims to understand and explain diagnostic procedures such as sonography, mammography & pregnancy testing.
Understanding Mental Health in an Allied Health Context: Covers the basics of mental health and mental illness in an allied healthcare context.
Infection Control and Standard Precautions: Describes infection prevention and control practices and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Veterinary Medical Terminology and Breed-Related Disorders: Demonstrates a current understanding of breed-related disorders explored via medical terminology.
Vital Signs in Long-Term Care Facilities: Covers how to properly take vital signs within the context of Long Term Care Facilities and/or geriatric care.
The Allied Health Professional's Role in OBGYN: Explores gynecological care essentials, including patient preparation, accurate history-taking, diagnostic procedures, and ultrasound imaging.
Animal Behavior and Restraint: Provides veterinary assistants with a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior and restraint.
EKG Recognition in the Adult Population: Aims to make sure students understand the proper use and application of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in the clinical setting.
PPE: Covers the selection of PPE based on standard and transmission-based precautions.

Other Resources

Medscape.com
ReachMD.com
Pri-Med.com

Tips for Successfully Earning CE Credits Online

Act Early: Don't wait until your renewal date approaches. Plan ahead and tackle your CE requirements well in advance.
Utilize Member Tools: AAH account provides direct access to all available CE courses, making it easy to stay on top of your requirements.

Additional Courses

Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health Professionals: Introduces learners to anatomy and physiology with little or no prior biology knowledge.
Medical Terminology for Allied Health Professionals: Equips learners to study the symbols and abbreviations used in medical terminology and learn how word parts, such as roots, suffixes, and prefixes, act as the building blocks of medical terms.
Speech Recognition Editing for Medical Transcriptionists: Assists healthcare documentation specialists to confidently make the transition from a standard transcription production worker to a successful knowledge-based speech recognition editor.

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