Applying for ANCC Contact Hours and/or the IAFN Seal of Approval - International Association of Forensic Nurses

Applying for ANCC Contact Hours and/or the IAFN Seal of Approval

IAFN is not currently accepting any new applications for approval

The IAFN Approver Unit—accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC COA)—is proud to approve contact hours for nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activities that meet ANCC standards. Through this work, the IAFN advances its mission to support forensic nurses worldwide and ensure all patients have access to quality forensic nursing care.

By providing a clear, standards-based application process, the IAFN Approver Unit helps nurses and organizations develop high-quality educational activities that promote professional growth, maintain competence, and strengthen the field of forensic nursing.

 

ANCC Accreditation Statement:
International Association of Forensic Nurses is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Submit Your Post Approval Surveys HERE!

View courses with the IAFN Seal of Approval HERE!

Individual Activity Application (IAA) Eligibilitying

Prospective IAAs may apply for approval of contact hours for their NCPD activities if:

    1. They have a Nurse Planner who meets each of following qualifications:

      • Holds a current, unrestricted nursing license (or international equivalent)

      • Holds a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing (or international equivalent)

      • Is actively involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating the educational activity in adherence to all ANCC Accreditation Program Criteria

    2. They are not categorized as an ineligible company per the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

      • Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted by the IAAs at least six weeks before the activity start date. Applications submitted less than six weeks in advance will incur an expedited fee in addition to the standard application fee. Applications submitted less than two weeks prior to the activity start date will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the IAFN Accredited Approver Program Director (AA-PD).

  1. Submission: The IAA completes and submits all required materials through the IAFN website.

  2. Assignment and Review: The AA-PD assigns a unique IAFN Activity Approval Number. Application review begins within 2 business days by the AA-PD or an assigned NPR.

  3. Initial Review Outcome: After the initial review, one of three outcomes will be communicated:

    1. Approval: The application meets all criteria and is approved.

    2. Decision Deferred: The application contains deficiencies. The AA-PD or NPR will email the IAA outlining what additional information is needed. IAAs should respond promptly to avoid delays.

    3. Denial of Approval: The IAA is found ineligible under ANCC or IAFN Approver Unit criteria. The AA-PD will contact the IAA to explain the decision.

  4. Formal Notification of Approval: Upon approval, the AA-PD will send a formal letter that includes:

    1. IAFN Activity Approval Number

    2. Approved Number of ANCC Contact Hours

    3. Activity Title

    4. Two-Year Approval Period

    5. Post Approval Survey Requirements

  5. Final Documentation: The AA-PD will enter the approved activity into the ANCC nursing activity reporting system (NARS).

  6. Post Approval: Once an activity is approved, the IAA must submit a Post Approval Survey—linked at the top of this page—within the timeline specified in the approval letter. The survey includes options to upload the required Post Activity Analysis following your activity, report any future offerings of the same activity, and notify the IAFN Approver Unit of changes to your activity.

Application Types & Associated Materials

IAFN is not currently accepting any new applications for approval

The IAFN Approver Unit offers three types of applications, along with templates for all required and conditionally required materials for each. These templates are available below.

 

The Interactive IAFN Approver Unit Toolkit, linked at the top of this page, provides detailed guidance for completing these materials and is designed to help you meet approval criteria successfully on your first submission.

Application Types

Contact Hour Only

For activities not eligible for Seal, but seeking contact hour approval through IAFN

Required Pre-Approval

  1. AU Application
  2. Certificate of Completion
  3. Disclosures to Learners

Conditionally Required Pre-Approval

  1. Course Agenda/Outline
  2. Commercial Support Agreement
  3. Joint Providership Agreement
  4. Ancillary Activity Marketing Tool

Required Post Approval

  1. Post Activity Analysis

Contact Hour w/ Seal of Approval:

For Seal-eligible courses seeking both contact hours and the Seal from IAFN

Required Pre-Approval
  1. AU Application
  2. Certificate of Completion
  3. Disclosures to Learners
  4. Course Agenda/Outline
  5. Applicable Seal of Approval Content Outline
Conditionally Required Pre-Approval
  1. Commercial Support Agreement
  2. Joint Providership Agreement
  3. Ancillary Activity Marketing Tool
Required Post Approval
  1. Post Activity Analysis

Seal of Approval ONLY:

For Seal-eligible courses seeking the Seal from IAFN, and obtaining contact hours from another agency

Required Pre-Approval

  1. Seal ONLY Application
  2. Course Agenda/Outline
  3. Certificate of Completion
  4. Applicable Seal of Approval Content Outline
  5. Citation List Template
  6. Evidence of Contact Hours or Academic Credit

Required Post Approval

  1. Post Activity Analysis

Additional Application Materials & Resources

Seal of Approval Eligibility

The following courses are Seal-eligible:

  • Adult/Adolescent (AA) SANE Didactic Courses
  • Pediatric/Adolescent (PA) SANE Didactic Courses
  • Combined Adult/Adolescent/Pediatric (AAP) SANE Didactic Courses
  • Adult/Adolescent SANE Clinical Skills Lab (AACSL)

In alignment with IAFN’s Mission, Vision, and Values, contact hours for these courses will only be approved if the curriculum aligns with the SANE Education Guidelines—including required content and minimum instructional hours—and other related best-practice documents. If approved, your course will receive the Seal of Approval for display on all course materials.

 

If you’re committed to aligning your course with the SANE Education Guidelines, IAFN offers mentorship during the review process to support you. However, if you choose not to revise your curriculum to meet these standards, please seek contact hour approval from another agency. IAFN will not approve contact hours for Seal-eligible courses that fall short of the required guidelines.

Why Seek the Seal of Approval?
  • Promotes standardized, evidence-based education for SANEs/SAFEs
  • Aligns your course with most current SANE Education Guidelines
  • Assures attendees that your course meets eligibility requirements for the related SANE Certification Exam(s)
  • Enhances visibility and credibility, with your course featured on the IAFN-Approved SANE Didactic & Clinical Skills Lab Courses Webpage, as well as having the Seal visible on your materials

Fee schedule

The fee schedule below applies to all application types offered by the IAFN Approver Unit, and fees are the same regardless if it is an initial or renewal application. The IAFN Finance Department will issue an invoice and link for payment after the review of your application has begun.

  • If IAFN is approving contact hours for your application, the fee will be calculated based on the number of contact hours awarded.​
  • For Seal of Approval ONLY applications, fees are calculated to the minimum number of instructional hours required by the SANE Education Guidelines, regardless of whether your course exceeds that minimum. ​
  • Pre-calculated fees for Seal of Approval ONLY applications are provided at the bottom of the fee schedule.

Item

Rate

Notes

Base Fee
(0.25-3.0 Contact Hours)

Additional Fee Per
Contact Hour >3.0

Expedited Application Fee

$100

 

$25

 

$450

Covers applications up to 3.0 contact hours

 

Partial contact hours are rounded up to the nearest whole number

Applied to applications submitted less than 6 weeks before activity

Examples

Total Fee

Breakdown

4.25 Contact Hours ONLY

4.25 Contact Hours ONLY-Expedited

42.0 Contact Hours w/Seal (Adult/Adolescent SANE Didactic

16.0 Contact Hour w/Seal
(Adult/Adolescent Clinical Skills Lab)

$150

$600

$1075

 

$425

$100 (base) + $50 (2.0 contact hours)

$100 (base) + $50 (2.0 contact hours) + $450 (expedited)

$100 (base) + $975 (39.0 contact hours)

 

$100 (base) + $425 (13.0 contact hours)

Pre-Calculated Seal of Approval ONLY Application Fees

40-Hour Adult/Adolescent
SANE Didactic

40-Hour Adolescent/Pediatric
SANE Didactic

64-Hour Combined Adult/Adolescent/Pediatric
SANE Didactic

16-Hour Adult/Adolescent
SANE Clinical Skills Lab

$1025

 

$1025

 

$1625

 

$425

$100 (base) + $925 (37.0 hours)

 

$100 (base) + $925 (37.0 hours)

 

$100 (base) + $1525 (61.0 hours)

 

$100 (base) + $325 (13.0 hours)

Questions & Mentorship

The IAFN Approver Unit is committed to supporting applicants throughout every stage of the application process. Whether you are seeking clarification about requirements, need guidance on completing specific sections of the application, or would like feedback on your materials before submission, the Approver Unit is available to assist you. Their goal is to ensure that applicants feel confident, informed, and well-prepared as they work toward meeting approval criteria.

Applicants are encouraged to reach out with any questions or to request individualized mentoring and support. The IAFN Approver Unit can be contacted directly by email at ce@forensicnurses.org, or phone at 410.626.7805 ext.141.