Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Overview
This page guides nurses, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and educators through the process of submitting an educational activity for nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) contact hours and/or pharmacotherapeutic contact hours through Penn State’s PSNA Approved Provider Unit (APU).
Video Resources
Watch both videos before submitting your application. They cover everything from getting started to completing your post-activity requirements.
Part 1
This video introduces the nurse planner’s role, explains the educational design process (EDP), and walks through the updated Activity Planning Template.
Part 2
This video covers the full submission process from application through post-activity reporting, including fees, repeat activities, and responsible AI use in educational content.
How It Works
- Review all materials. Watch both videos, then download the Activity Planning Template and supporting documents before you begin. Familiarize yourself with the Post-Activity Data Template so you know what information to collect from learners before, during, and after your activity.
- Submit your application with all required attachments at least 45 days before your activity. This window allows time for review, feedback, and any required edits. Expedited requests are not guaranteed and may be refused. If you have questions about your activity before submitting your packet, please contact NurseCE@psu.edu to schedule a 30-minute meeting.
- Receive your approval letter. If your activity is approved, you will receive a letter outlining any associated fees. Most activities are approved for two years.
- Run your activity. Collect all required learner data during your activity using the Post-Activity Data Template, including each Registered Nurse’s (RN’s) full name, email address, and RN license number.
- Submit all post-activity information within 14 days of your activity. Once your post-activity information is received and reviewed, certificates will be generated and distributed within one month. If fees apply, an invoice will be issued.
- Repeating an approved activity. If you plan to run a previously approved activity, review the section “Repeating an Approved Activity” in the Part 2 video.
Templates
- Activity Planning Template — The primary application document. Complete this template to describe your educational activity, learning outcomes, and planning process.
- Post-Activity Data Template — Submit this after your activity. Captures each RN’s full name, email address, and RN license number required for certificate generation.
- Competency Source Mapping by Nursing Role — Reference table to help align your activity’s learning outcomes to nursing competencies by role.
- Commercial Support Agreement (if applicable) — Required if your activity receives financial or in-kind support from a commercial entity.
- Joint Provider Agreement (if applicable) — Required if your activity is co-provided with another organization.
Activity Costs
Annual Administrative Fee: $250
This fee applies to all groups submitting one or more activities for approval in a given calendar year. It covers activity assistance and review, finance processing, certificate generation, and PSNA APU compliance requirements.
Contact Hour Rate: $20 per 1.0 contact hour per RN
Fees are based on the number of RNs who receive a contact hour certificate for your activity. For the same fee as RNs, non-RN learners can request the same activity certificate.
Penn State Offices, Departments, and Colleges
Internal Penn State groups are encouraged to contact us at NurseCE@psu.edu to discuss fees before submitting an application.
Grant Funding
If you are applying for grant funding, we strongly encourage you to include the annual administrative fee and estimated contact hour costs in your budget proposal. Base your contact hour fee estimate on the projected number of RNs/other learners who will request contact hours for your activity.
