1. Renewal Cycle and CNE Calculation Period
Q1. For practising certificates due for renewal in 2026, 2027 or 2028, how should CNE points be calculated?
A: These renewals fall under the Voluntary Scheme.
For certificates expiring on 31 December 2026, the CNE accumulation period is 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.
For certificates expiring on 31 December 2027, the period is 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
For certificates expiring on 31 December 2028, the period is 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
The first mandatory CNE cycle runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029 and applies to practising certificates expiring on 31 December 2029.
Q2. Can CNE points obtained before July 2026 be counted for renewal after the mandatory system starts?
A: CNE points accumulated before 1 July 2026 cannot be counted under the mandatory scheme.
Q3. Must CNE points be evenly distributed across the three-year cycle, for example 15 points per year?
A: CNE points do not need to be evenly distributed, as long as the required total CNE points are achieved within the cycle.
Q4. If I complete all 30 or 45 CNE points in the first year, can I stop attending CNE activities for the remaining years?
A: As long as the minimum CNE point requirement is met within the prescribed cycle, there is no requirement for even distribution across the years. However, continuing education is encouraged.
2. CNE Administrators, Providers and Validation
Q5. What is the difference between a CNE administrator and a CNE provider?
A: Under the Mandatory CNE System, nurses are required to select an organisation from the published list of accredited CNE Administrators to establish a personal CNE database. CNE Administrators are responsible for validating the CNE points of individual nurses.
The list of accredited CNE Providers is different from that of Administrators. They perform distinct functions. CNE Providers are responsible for organising & conducting educational activities and awarding CNE points. There is no conflict of interest between the two roles.
Q6. Can a CNE provider also be a CNE administrator?
A: Yes. An organisation may be accredited as both a CNE Provider and a CNE Administrator.
Q7. Does every nurse need to register with one specific CNE administrator?
A: Yes, every nurse needs to register/enrol with one designated administrator. If your employer is an accredited CNE Administrator, that organisation should serve as your designated Administrator. If your employer is not accredited, or if you are self-employed, you must select an alternative accredited CNE Administrator from the Council's published list. Enrolment must be completed within six months after the start of your CNE cycle.
Q8. If I attend courses from different providers, can I submit all records to one administrator for validation?
A: Each nurse should enrol with only one accredited CNE Administrator at any given time. All CNE records should be submitted to that single CNE Administrator for validation.
Q9. If I attend a course from a provider that is not my administrator, how should I submit the CNE record?
A: The nurse should submit the CNE record to their designated CNE Administrator for validation. Further details will be available in the CNE Administrator Manual to be released by the Nursing Council.
Q10. When should I approach a CNE administrator to validate my CNE record?
A: For local CNE activities, nurses should submit their records to the CNE Administrator within two months after completion. For non-local learning activities not on the Council's pre-approved list, submission should be made at least two months before the activity begins to allow prior vetting. For practising certificate renewal, nurses must notify their CNE Administrator before the end of the CNE cycle, that is by 30 June of the renewal year.
Q11. Do nurses need to pay a CNE administrator?
A: Yes. Different CNE Administrators may adopt different policies and charging models.
Q12. How will CNE administrators monitor, assist with or record CNE points?
A: CNE Administrators will follow the guidelines issued by the Nursing Council. For specific operational details, nurses should make enquiry directly to their designated CNE Administrator.
Q13. Will there be a personal online CNE account for nurses?
A: CNE Administrators are expected to provide an online account for nurses who have registered with them.
Q14. How can nurses overseas submit CNE records?
A: Overseas nurses may submit their CNE records online.
3. Eligible CNE Activities and Point Recognition
Q15. Are annual conferences counted if the event name is the same but topics differ each year?
A: Annual conferences usually have different themes/topics and could be regarded as distinct activities.
Q16. Can the same topic be counted more than once within a three-year cycle?
A: No. Within the same three-year cycle, repeated attendance of a CNE activity on the same topic and at the same level does not count for CNE points.
Q17. Can the same topic be counted again in the next renewal cycle?
A: Yes, provided it falls within a new CNE cycle. The restriction applies only within the same three-year cycle.
Q18. Are e-learning courses counted as CNE?
A: Yes. E-learning is recognised as an acceptable form of CNE activity, provided that it is organised by an accredited CNE Provider and meets the minimum duration requirement of one hour.
Q19. Do Zoom or online courses count as CNE?
A: Yes. Online courses are a form of e-learning and are accepted as CNE activities, provided that they are organised by an accredited CNE Provider.
Q20. Are HA conventions, HA symposiums or HA training courses counted?
A: Yes, provided HA continues to be an accredited CNE Provider.
Q21. Are BLS and ACLS refresher courses counted if they are repeated every two years?
A: BLS and ACLS refresher courses are not excluded from CNE recognition. However, if they are of the same topic and at the same level, they may not be counted again within the same cycle under the general principle regarding repeated attendance.
Q22. Can overseas conferences or overseas clinical updates count as CNE?
A: Overseas activities are not excluded. However, whether a specific activity is recognised as a CNE-eligible activity will depend on the individual circumstances, and the final decision rests with the Nursing Council. Further details will be available in the CNE Administrator Manual to be released by the Nursing Council.
Q23. Can a Master's degree or university course count as CNE?
A: Yes. Postgraduate academic programmes and university courses are recognised as eligible CNE activities.
Q24. Are publications, conference presentations or lectures counted as CNE?
A: Yes. Publications, research, conference presentations and lectures are recognised as CNE activities. Points are awarded according to the type of activity, the role of the nurse, and the level of the conference. Please note that lectures or presentations forming part of an educator's regular job duties are not eligible for CNE points.
Q25. Do courses need to be offered by one of the accredited CNE providers to be counted?
A: Generally, CNE activities must be organised by an accredited CNE Provider to be recognised for CNE points. However, for certain categories such as postgraduate academic programmes, publications, and research, the requirement may differ. Nurses should retain all relevant documentation for validation.
Q26. If a provider reports CNE attendance but does not issue a certificate, is that acceptable?
A: Nurses who have attended a recognised CNE activity should duly receive a CNE certificate. If a certificate is not received, the nurse should follow up with the respective CNE Provider.
4. Retired, Part-time, Non-HA and Special Circumstances
Q27. Do retired nurses who only want to keep their practising certificate need to fulfil mandatory CNE?
A: The fulfilment of CNE requirements is a prerequisite for all nurses upon renewal of their practising certificates (regardless of their employment status).
Q28. If a retired nurse wants to renew but cannot find enough CNE opportunities, what support is available?
A: There are many courses available in the market that provide CNE points. If necessary, retired nurses may seek advice from CNE Providers.
Q29. How should retired nurses approach CNE administrators for validation?
A: The application procedure for retired nurses is the same as that for other nurses. If necessary, retired nurses may proactively contact their designated CNE Administrator for further assistance.
Q30. Do part-time nurses need to follow the same CNE validation process?
A: The fulfilment of CNE requirements is a prerequisite for all nurses upon renewal of their practising certificates (regardless of their employment status).
Q31. Are there arrangements for nurses working in NGOs, residential homes or non-HA settings?
A: The fulfilment of CNE requirements is a prerequisite for all nurses upon renewal of their practising certificates (regardless of their employment setting/employer).
Q32. Can volunteers work as nurses without a practising certificate?
A: A valid practising certificate is required to practise as a nurse in Hong Kong. No exemption applies to volunteers.
Q33. If a nurse is seriously ill or has family-care responsibilities and cannot earn enough CNE points, will discretion be considered?
A: Any request for special consideration should be reported to the Nursing Council for determination.
Q34. If I do not renew my practising certificate in one cycle, can I renew it again later after obtaining enough CNE points?
A: Nurses who wish to renew their practising certificate after a period of discontinuation must follow the renewal process set out by the Nursing Council. This matter does not fall within the scope of service of CNE Administrators, who only accept registrations from nurses holding a valid practising certificate. Nurses unable to provide a valid practising certificate will not be accepted for registration with a CNE Administrator.
5. Double Registration and Different Professional Points
Q35. If a nurse holds both RN and EN practising certificates, are 45 points enough for both, or are more points required?
A: Yes. The 45 CNE points required for RN are sufficient to satisfy the CNE requirements for both RN and EN practising certificates held concurrently.
Q36. If a nurse is registered as both RN and RNP, can the same CNE points be used for both practising certificates?
A: The same CNE points could normally be used for renewal of practicing licenses of both registrations. The counting/inclusion will depend on the cut-off date of these 2 cycles.
Q37. Are CNE points and CEM (previously known as PEM) or midwifery education points counted separately or together?
A: For nurses who are also registered midwives, Continuing Education in Midwifery (CEM) activities and CEM points are reciprocally recognised, where appropriate.
6. Records, Certificates, Templates and Audit
Q38. Where can nurses find their CNE record?
A: Nurses are required to maintain their own records of CNE activities. Records that have been uploaded to the CNE Administrator should be accessible via the online account for review. For specific details, nurses should enquire directly with their designated CNE Administrator.
Q39. Where can the personal CNE record template or sample CNE sheet be downloaded?
A: A sample template is available for reference on the Nursing Council's website. Designated CNE Administrator may have its own record template and logistics. Further details will be available in the CNE Administrator Manual to be released by the Nursing Council.
Q40. Are self-printed HA e-certificates accepted?
A: Any form of eligible certificates recognised by the CNE Provider and the Nursing Council will be acceptable.
Q41. What documents should be kept for audit?
A: For local courses, CNE Administrators will only require CNE certificates offered by accredited CNE Providers. For overseas courses, it is advisable to retain all relevant information for future validation purposes.
Q42. Are CNE providers required to keep participants' attendance records?
A: Yes. CNE Providers are responsible for retaining attendance records for a period of six years.
Q43. How are CNE records submitted to the Nursing Council?
A: CNE Administrators are responsible for consolidating and submitting the CNE records of the three-year cycle to the Nursing Council for the renewal of practising license of each enrollee.
7. Course Information, Fees and Regulation
Q44. Will there be a central channel listing recognised CNE courses?
A: Currently, there is no central channel that lists all recognised CNE courses. If your organisation does not provide a list of CNE courses, you are responsible to identifying appropriate courses by yourself.
Q45. Where can nurses find the accredited provider list?
A: The lists of accredited CNE Providers and accredited CNE Administrators are available on the Nursing Council's official website.
Q46. Will CNE course fees be regulated?
A: CNE course fees are not regulated by the Nursing Council. Fees are determined by individual CNE Providers.
Q47. Will the CNE administrator handbook be issued soon?
A: The Manual has been published and is now available on the Council's website.
