Frequently Asked Questions

What does ANCC accreditation mean?

Nursing Excellence Continuing Education Services is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This prestigious accreditation ensures that all our educational offerings meet the highest national standards for quality, relevance, and educational integrity. ANCC accreditation is the gold standard in nursing continuing education and is recognized across all U.S. states and territories

Are your contact hours accepted in my state?

Yes. As an ANCC-accredited provider, our contact hours are universally accepted by all State Boards of Nursing throughout the United States and its territories. ANCC accreditation provides nationwide recognition and portability of your continuing education credits.

How long do you keep my records?

We maintain learner records for a minimum of six years in accordance with ANCC accreditation standards. Your account and transcript history remain accessible as long as your account is active.

Who can take your courses?

Our courses are designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs/LVNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and nursing students in their final year of study. Specific courses may have additional prerequisites or target audiences, which are clearly indicated in the course description.

What is a "contact hour"?

A contact hour is the basic unit of measurement for continuing nursing education. One contact hour equals 60 minutes of participation in an organized learning activity. Contact hours are used to document your participation in continuing education programs and are required for nursing license renewal in most states.

1 contact hour= 60 minutes or 1 CNE

1 CEU= 10 contact hours

1 academic semester credit (nursing core) = 15 contact hours

1 academic quarter credit (nursing core) = 12.5 contact hours

1 CME = 60 minutes or 1 contact hour

Citing source: American Nurses Credentialing Center (2024).

Do I need to be licensed in a specific state?

No. Our courses are available to nurses licensed in any U.S. state or territory, as well as internationally licensed nurses seeking professional development. ANCC-accredited contact hours are recognized nationwide.

Do nursing students receive contact hours?

Nursing students in their final year of study may participate in our courses for professional development; however, contact hours are typically awarded only to licensed nurses. Please check individual course requirements or contact us for clarification.

Can I use these contact hours for multiple purposes?

Contact hours may typically be applied toward license renewal, specialty certification, and employer requirements. However, the same contact hours generally cannot be "double-counted" for the same purpose (e.g., two different certifications). Please verify with your specific licensing or certifying organization.

Do you offer pharmacology contact hours?

Yes. Many of our courses include pharmacology content and contact hours. Courses with pharmacology credits are clearly identified, as many states have specific pharmacology requirements for license renewal or prescriptive authority.

What if my state has specific topic requirements (e.g., sexual harassment, pain management)?

We offer courses addressing state-specific mandated topics, including sexual harassment, domestic violence, pain management, infection control, cultural competency, and more.

Do courses include assessments?

Most courses include post-tests, quizzes, or competency assessments to evaluate learning and ensure comprehension. Assessment requirements and passing scores are specified in each course description. Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of all required assessments.

What is your refund policy?

We offer full refunds for online courses if cancelled 7+ days in advance of purchase. Live event registrations may be transferred or refunded according to the specific cancellation deadlines listed for each event. Please review our complete refund policy on our Terms & Conditions page.

Can I transfer my registration to another course?

Course transfers may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis within 30 days of enrollment and before significant course completion. Please contact our support team to discuss transfer options.

What if I need to cancel registration for a live event?

Cancellation and refund policies for live events vary by program. Most events offer full refunds if cancelled 30+ days in advance, partial refunds for 14-30 days notice, and no refund for cancellations within 14 days. Specific policies are provided during registration.

Can I request a specific course topic?

We welcome course suggestions! If you have ideas for topics you'd like us to offer, please submit your request through our website. We continually evaluate learner needs and emerging trends to develop relevant new programming.

Are nursing continuing professional development contact hours tax deductible?

The cost of NCPD contact hours may be tax deductible depending on your employment status.

Self-employed nurses: May deduct the cost of contact hours required for licensure renewal as ordinary business expenses, as they maintain professional skills and meet legal requirements.

W-2 employees: Generally cannot deduct unreimbursed contact hour expenses under current federal law (2018-2025). Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement or education assistance programs.

Education tax credits: Our ANCC-accredited contact hours do not qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit as we are not a Title IV institution.

Maintain complete documentation of all contact hour expenses, certificates, and receipts. Consult a qualified tax professional (CPA or Enrolled Agent) for personalized guidance.

Disclaimer: Nursing Excellence Continuing Education Services does not provide tax advice. This is general information only. Please consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.