Sec. 10.27.21.07. Renewal of Certification

A. Certification to practice as a FNE expires at the same time as the RN license.

B. Beginning January 1, 2016, renewal requirements will change to reflect the 2-year biennial license renewal that was implemented during 2015.

C. An FNE who has an even-numbered birth year shall be required:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2016, to complete the renewal requirements under §E of this regulation; and

(2) Beginning January 1, 2018, to complete the renewal requirements under §F of this regulation.

D. Beginning January 1, 2017, an FNE who has an odd-numbered birth year shall be required to complete the renewal requirements under §F of this regulation.

E. Before the certification to practice as an RN-FNE expires, the individual may renew for an additional term, if the RN-FNE:

(1) Is otherwise entitled to be certified;

(2) Has practiced in the role of RN-FNE for a minimum of 400 hours in the previous 24 months in a facility recognized to perform sexual assault forensic evidentiary examinations;

(3) Has completed the following evidentiary examinations:

(a) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-A, three evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years of age or older by simulation;

(b) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-P, three evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old; or

(c) If applying for renewal as an FNE-AP, three evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old, and an additional three evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years of age or older by simulation, for a total of six evidentiary examinations performed; or

(d) Completed the following requirements:

(i) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-A, performed ten speculum examinations and observed three evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years of age or older;

(ii) If applying for renewal as a RN-FNE-P, has observed three evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old;

(iii) If applying for renewal as an FNE-AP, has observed three evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old, has observed an additional three evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years of age or older, and performed ten speculum examinations on adult patients 13 years of age or older, for a total of six evidentiary examinations observed and ten speculum examinations performed; and

(iv) Have a minimum number of cases submitted to peer review annually in accordance with §G of this regulation;

(4) Provides evidence of having obtained a minimum of 8 education clock hours per year in forensic science or forensic nursing;

(5) Pays all appropriate renewal fees set forth by the Board in COMAR 10.27.01.02; and

(6) Submits an application for renewal of the certification on the form the Board requires.

F. Before the certification to practice as an RN-FNE expires, the individual may renew for an additional term, if the RN-FNE:

(1) Is otherwise entitled to be certified;

(2) Has practiced in the role of RN-FNE for a minimum of 400 hours in the previous 24 months in a facility recognized to perform sexual assault forensic evidentiary examinations;

(3) Has completed the following evidentiary examinations:

(a) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-A, six evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years old or older by simulation;

(b) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-P, six evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old;

(c) If applying for renewal as an FNE-AP, six evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old, and an additional six evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years old or older by simulation, for a total of twelve evidentiary examinations performed; or

(d) Completed the following requirements:

(i) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-A, performed twenty speculum examinations and observed six evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years old or older;

(ii) If applying for renewal as an RN-FNE-P, has observed six evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old; or

(iii) If applying for renewal as an FNE-AP, has observed six evidentiary examinations on children who are younger than 13 years old, has observed an additional six evidentiary examinations on adult patients 13 years old or older, and has performed ten speculum examinations on adult patients 13 years old or older, for a total of twelve evidentiary examinations observed and ten speculum examinations performed; and

(iv) Have a minimum number of cases submitted to peer review annually in accordance with §G of this regulation;

(4) Provides evidence of having obtained a minimum of 16 education clock hours per 24 months in forensic science or forensic nursing;

(5) Pays all appropriate renewal fees set forth by the Board in COMAR 10.27.01.02; and

(6) Submits an application for renewal of the certification on the form the Board requires.

G. Peer Review.

(1) As a condition of renewal, the following number of cases shall be submitted annually to peer review:

(a) Three cases for an RN-FNE-A;

(b) Three cases for an RN-FNE-P; and

(c) Three adult cases and three pediatric cases for a total of six cases for an RN-FNE-AP.

(2) An examination done by simulation may be included in the cases for peer review.

H. If the individual does not meet the requirement of §§E(2) and F(2) of this regulation, the individual shall complete a Board-approved course before becoming eligible for renewal of the certification.

I. With respect to the requirement set forth in §§E(3) and F(3) of this regulation, an examination performed on a live model or by simulation may substitute for evidentiary examinations for the purpose of certificate renewal.