A list of eligible activities to recertify by the points method is presented below. The candidate may choose any activity. There are maximum numbers of points allowed for each activity with the exception of Academic Study, which has no points limits. The number of points required for recertification is based on the number of clinical practice hours, as outlined in the grid below. Click here for a list of documents which must be supplied if certificant is audited.
# of Clinical Practice Hours
Required # of Points
1,000 or more
400 Points
Between 500 and 999
500 Points
Continuing Education through Contact Hours
Academic Study
Teaching in an Academic Setting
Publishing
Presentations
Service on a Board or Committee
Precepting/Mentoring
Volunteer on a NASC Committee
Earning another accredited perioperative certification
Professional perioperative-related volunteer service
Continuing Education
A maximum of 200 points (100 contact hours) may be earned from Continuing Education activities through an approved provider. One half (100 points or 50 contact hours) may be earned through Category 1 CMEs.
Unlimited points may be earned in the Academic Study category. The course must be part of a degree completion program, such as a healthcare degree (BSN, MSN, DNP, etc.), or a degree where the knowledge attained is used to advance your first assisting nursing career (including MBA).
1 semester hour/credit = 15 points
1 quarter hour = 10 points
Teaching a Perioperative–Related Course for College Credit (i.e., College or University)
A maximum of 200 points is allowed in the Teaching category. Each perioperative class taught = 30 points.
Publishing
A maximum of 150 points may be earned in the Publishing category.
Material
Point Value
Doctoral Dissertation
100 Points
DNP Capstone Project
75 Points
Primary Author, Book Chapter
50 Points
Guest Editor, Peer-Reviewed Journal Issue
50 Points
Primary Author, Peer-Reviewed Journal Article
50 Points
Secondary Author, Book Chapter
30 Points
Editorial, Peer-Reviewed Journal
30 Points
Secondary Author, Peer-Reviewed Journal Article
30 Points
Subject Matter Expert (SME) or Reviewer for Journal Article or Book Chapter
20 Points
Author, Book Review
20 Points
Developer/Author of a Patient Education or Healthcare Professional Resource
20 Points
Poster Presentation at a Professional Meeting
20 Points
Presentations
A maximum of 150 points may be earned in the Presentation category.
In-service: Each 60 minutes of presentation time = 10 points
Service as a Board or Committee Member
A maximum of 200 points is allowed in the Service as a Board or Committee Member category. Each Service on a Board or Committee = 20 points per year/per committee. A minimum of four meetings per year is required.
Examples of accepted service include:
National or local committee member
Specialty Assembly Governing Council
Facility level committee (e.g., hospital, surgery center, physician office)
Infection prevention
Quality improvement
Policy and procedure
Education
Research
Precepting/Mentoring in the RNFA Role
A maximum of 150 points is allowed in the Precepting/Mentoring Category. Preceptee/mentee may be either a RNFA student or a new employee in the RNFA role. Each precepted student/employee=25 points.
Volunteer, NASC Committees
A maximum of 200 points is allowed in the Volunteer, NASC Committees category.
A maximum of 100 points may be accrued for earning an accredited perioperative-related certification or completing the recertification process for an accredited perioperative-related certification. Examples of accredited perioperative-related certifications include CAPA, CPAN, CRCST, or ABCGN. Accreditation by ANSI, ABSNC, or NCCA will meet these criteria. The list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other accredited certification deemed equivalent by the Executive Director of NASC in consultation with the Credentialing Manager may be accepted.
Attain/Maintain an Accredited Perioperative Certification
Initial Certification
30 points
Completion of Recertification
20 points
Clinical Inquiry
A maximum of 100 points may be earned in the Clinical Inquiry category. Quality Improvement (QI), Quality Assurance (QA), Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Research projects are accepted under this heading. To receive points under this activity you must have primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and/or evaluating projects in these categories. The activity must show evidence of the participation in or application of clinical inquiry that improves current practice and/or patient outcomes.
Role
Point Value
Primary Investigator or Primary Project Leader
50 points/project
Co-Investigator or Project Lead
30 points/project
Professional perioperative-related volunteer service
A maximum of 100 points may be earned for medically-related volunteer service activities. Examples include surgical mission trips and service at medically underserved clinics.
Role
Point Value
Professional Perioperative-Related Volunteer Service
