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Recertification by Points

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 HoursRequired # of Points
1,000 or more400 Points
Between 500 and 999500 Points
  1. Continuing Education through Contact Hours
  2. Academic Study
  3. Teaching in an Academic Setting
  4. Publishing
  5. Presentations
  6. Service on a Board or Committee
  7. Precepting/Mentoring
  8. Volunteer on a NASC Committee
  9. Earning another accredited perioperative certification
  10. Clinical Inquiry (Research, Evidence-based practice, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement)
  11. 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.

1 contact hour = 2 points

1 CME Category 1 credit = 1 contact hour = 2 points

Academic Study

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.

MaterialPoint Value
Doctoral Dissertation100 Points
DNP Capstone Project75 Points
Primary Author, Book Chapter50 Points
Guest Editor, Peer-Reviewed Journal Issue50 Points
Primary Author, Peer-Reviewed Journal Article50 Points
Secondary Author, Book Chapter30 Points
Editorial, Peer-Reviewed Journal30 Points
Secondary Author, Peer-Reviewed Journal Article30 Points
Subject Matter Expert (SME) or Reviewer for Journal Article or Book Chapter20 Points
Author, Book Review20 Points
Developer/Author of a Patient Education or Healthcare Professional Resource20 Points
Poster Presentation at a Professional Meeting20 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. 

CommitteePoint Value
Job Analysis40 points
Item Writer30 points
Cut Score/Standard Setting30 points
Item Review20 points
Form Review15 points
Problem Identification (PIN)15 points
Other Ad Hoc Committees (specify)15 points

Attain/Maintain Perioperative-Related Certification

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 Certification30 points
Completion of Recertification20 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.

RolePoint Value
Primary Investigator or Primary Project Leader50 points/project
Co-Investigator or Project Lead30 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.

RolePoint Value
Professional Perioperative-Related Volunteer Service20 points/year of service or project