New York Continuing Education Requirements

Updated Mandated Training Related to Child Abuse

• Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2024 amended Social Services Law § 413.
• The update requires additional training on protocols and guidance for identifying abused or maltreated children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• This content is now part of the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework.
• Deadline: All mandated reporters—including those who previously completed the training—must finish the updated curriculum by November 17, 2026

Mandated Reporter Training Requirements
•     Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 also amended Social Services Law § 413.
•     This update requires training that includes: •     Deadline: All mandated reporters—including those who previously completed the training—must finish the updated curriculum by April 1, 2025.

Infection Control Training Requirements

• Licensed practical nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, and registered nurses must complete training appropriate to their practice on:
• Infection control and barrier precautions
• Engineering and work practice controls to prevent transmission of HIV and HBV in professional settings
• This requirement is outlined in Section 6505-b of the Education Law.
• Training must be completed every four years.
• Nurses must attest to completion when applying for their initial license/registration and at every subsequent renewal.

Certification in specialty area required.

Infection Control Coursework
Must complete NYSED approved infection control coursework or qualify for an exemption. Thereafter, must complete NYSED approved infection control coursework every four (4) years or qualify for an exemption. 

Child Abuse Reporting Coursework 
Before NYSED will issue you a limited permit or RN license, you must complete NYSED approved 2-hour child abuse reporting coursework or qualify for an exemption.

• Updated Mandated Training Related to Child Abuse: Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2024 amended Social Services Law § 413 to require additional training to include protocols and guidance on identifying abused or maltreated children with intellectual or developmental disabilities within the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework. This law requires that mandated reporters, including those who have previously undergone the current training, complete the updated training curriculum by November 17, 2026.

Prescribers licensed under Title Eight of the Education Law in New York to treat humans and who have a DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances, as well as medical residents who prescribe controlled substances under a facility DEA registration number, must complete at least three (3) hours of course work or training in pain management, palliative care, and addiction.  The course work or training must be completed by July 1, 2017, and once every three years thereafter, 

Licensed practical nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, and registered nurses must complete course work or training appropriate to their practice regarding infection control and barrier precautions, including engineering and work controls to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis b virus (HBV) in the course of professional practice, every four years according to Section 6505-b of the Education Law. You must attest to having completed this requirement to the State Education Department on your first licensure/registration application and at every subsequent registration.

CNAs are eligible to renew their certificate if they have worked as a nursing assistant performing nursing or nursing-related services for pay for at least eight consecutive hours within the immediate 24-month period prior to your current registry document expiration date.

No continuing education is required for renewal. Please check with your facility/employer to ensure your continuing education courses are accepted. 

The home health agency where the home health aide is employed must provide nursing supervision and 12 hours of in-service training per year.

 

In New York State, there are no standard education requirements beyond a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent. In New York, all MAs—including CMAs—are considered unlicensed.