ICRS Certificate Program

Learn. Network. Lead.

ICRS provides community, connection and knowledge that will push your career in regulation to the next level. The ICRS certificate program is a competency based, interactive, online and blended course of study. You will enhance your knowledge, network with colleagues around the world and expand your skills as a regulator. Courses are offered in 8-week segments and taught by renowned experts who lead discussions, facilitate professional growth and assign projects with real-life applications. After earning six online credits, completing a capstone project and attending the ICRS Advanced Leadership Institute, graduates of the program are awarded the ICRS certificate.

Certificate Requirements

To receive the ICRS certificate, participants need to:

Register today to join the growing community of people pursuing regulatory excellence with ICRS.

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Select courses from the Governance and Leadership pathway, Public Policy and Legislation pathway or Research and Measurement pathway to be inducted into the Advanced Leadership Institute and receive the ICRS certificate.

Certificate Program Course Listings

Asking the Right Questions: Measurement Strategies for Exam Development

To effectively evaluate an examinee’s knowledge, you need to ask the right questions. In this course, Hong Qian, PhD, PMP guides participants through developing different item types, determining appropriate scoring rules, interpreting score reports, and assessing test validity.

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Instructor(s): Hong Qian, PhD, PMP
Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1
CEs: TBD

Cracking the Code to Nursing Education Program Approval: The Evidence

This is the first-ever course on program approval for faculty and regulators! Dr. Nancy Spector will demonstrate the process nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) take when approving nursing education programs—including the evidence that supports program approval.

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Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance and Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 22.8

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Regulatory Practice

For good reason these days, organizations have focused on their cultural climate and how that milieu affects both employees and those they serve. Develop a deeper understanding of the core concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in this course, along with how they apply to your work setting.

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Course Dates: Coming soon
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 0.5
CEs: 14.4

Experts in Humanity: The History of Nursing Regulation

Alphonse de Lamartine famously said that “history teaches everything, even the future.” To better navigate the challenges on the horizon, we will examine the history of Nursing Regulation—primarily in the U.S. but incorporating global dimensions where relevant.

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Instructor(s): Amy Lippert, PhD, MA
Course Dates: Coming Soon
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 22

Fundamentals of Research

Develop the practical skills you need to become an independent investigator and launch a research study.  

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Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 24

High-Performing Teams

Take your team’s performance to the next level by gaining insight into how to better contribute to a group. High-Performing Teams provides essential information for both the novice and the expert to become a better participant on and manager of teams. In this course, you will learn how to perform a personal assessment of team behaviors and create a checklist to facilitate future team meetings.

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Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 20

How to Write Reasons

Writing reasons is an art that requires skill—especially in the regulatory context. Focused on the nonlawyers who help draft reasons for regulatory decisions, this course will teach participants the importance of reasons and how they are used, particularly by the courts and reviewing tribunals.

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Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1.0
CEs: 24.0

Impact of Federalist Government on State Boards of Nursing

Gain a greater understanding of federalism and how state agencies are affected by federal action. By the end of this course, you will be able to confidently analyze federal legislation and determine its applicability to your state’s Board of Nursing.

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Instructor(s): Rebecca Fotsch, JD
Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 19.2

Introduction to Administrative Law for Regulators in Canada

In order to effectively regulate nursing in the public interest, this course provides participants with the necessary tools to successfully navigate Canadian administrative law. Its dual focus examines high level presentations of administrative law principles and their application to specific regulatory activities.

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Course Dates: September 25 - November 17, 2023
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1
CEs: None Offered

Introduction to Administrative Law for Regulators in the US

All regulators should possess a basic, practical understanding of the law that governs administrative actions. Dive deaper into topics from due process requirements to knowing when action is warranted. 

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Course Dates: June 24 - August 16, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 24

Introduction to Public Policy

Better understand and inform others about health care policies by examining theories of political engagement, legislative strategy, and policy design and implementation. 

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Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 23

Leadership Journey of a Regulator

It takes resilient leaders to weather the crises that the profession—and society—are facing today. Strong leaders must be self-aware of both their strengths and the areas in which they can improve. They must develop astute ways of communicating with others. This course will hone those critical skills.

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Course Dates: Coming Soon
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1.5
CEs: 36

Making Data Analysis Easy

What’s the best way to communicate your data story? No experience in programming or statistics required. Learn how to report descriptive information, develop effective visualizations, and apply statistical tests using one of the world’s most popular programming languages: Python!

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Course Dates: In Progress
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 20.4

Power Dynamics of Negotiation

Negotiation is a power equation: who gets what, when and how? Learn proven strategies. Navigate complex situations. Hone cross-cultural skills to enhance key relationships. Become an effective champion. Redefine yourself through this course.

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Course Dates: Coming Soon
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 16.8

Presentations and Public Speaking

Effective communication is key to persuading stakeholders, building consensus and effecting change. Overcome obstacles to poor presentations by learning simple techniques to improve any presentation. 

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Course Dates: June 24 - August 16, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1.0
CEs: 22

Program & Policy Evaluation

Effective change requires recognizing problems, understanding their complexity and identifying solutions. Explore environmental factors that emphasize the importance of analysis in the policy process. 

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Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 23

Questionnaire Design

Whether working on a research project or measuring engagement in your organization, learn how to create web questionnaires that are clear, concise and effective.  

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Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 20.4

Read, Appraise, Apply: Critically Evaluating the Regulatory Literature

Looking to keep abreast of the latest research, and apply it to practice? Yearning to build a community of fellow regulators with whom you can share knowledge? Try this journal club! Build your skills in reading and critical appraisal of research, in a collaborative setting.

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Course Dates: June 24 - August 16, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1.0
CEs: 15

Reliability Science and Systems of Justice for Regulators

In today’s dynamic world, regulators need to move from a focus on compliance to a focus on seeing, understanding, and managing the risks to public safety. To do so, we will need to partner with others in new ways. The science of high reliability can better equip regulators to anticipate the unexpected and justly respond.

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Instructor(s): Kathy Scott, PhD
Course Dates: September 25 - November 17, 2023
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 22.2

Synergy or Strife? Communication Skills for Regulatory Professionals

Effective communication can manage conflict in groups with divergent goals. Part I of Synergy or Strife will explore the nature of groups and will introduce small group communication theories and processes as well as intercultural approaches to teamwork. The second portion of this course will delve into leadership styles, feedback models and the challenging topic of conflict management.

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Course Dates: Coming Soon
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 24

Ways of Thinking: Identity Inequality, and Inclusion

As individuals, people have complex identities that shape how they experience the social world and how others see and interact with them. This course will provide an overview of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to the healthcare workplace. Participants will delve into topics centered on identity within culture, ethnicity, religion, race, sex, sexuality, gender, class, and ability.

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Course Dates: April 1 - May 24, 2024
Delivery Method: Instructor lead
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Program Credit: 1
CEs: TBD

Writing and Publishing a Manuscript

Disseminating cutting-edge information is critical to advancing all aspects of nursing. To ensure their work reaches an audience, nurse researchers must understand and master the conventions expected by peer-reviewed, academic journal editors. Through this course, participants will learn how to construct a publishable manuscript and navigate the publication process.

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Instructor(s): Ellen May, MA
Course Dates: September 25 - November 17, 2023
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Research & Measurement
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 24

Writing for Leadership: Mastering the Fundamentals for Authoritative Written Expression

Industry experts guide you through the basics of writing eight essential genres for regulatory leaders, highlighting the most effective ways to communicate your message. 

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Instructor(s): Amy Lippert, PhD, MA
Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50 | Free for Members
Pathway: Governance & Leadership
Program Credit: 1
CEs: 21.6

Writing for Legislative Policy

Persuade policy makers, garner public favor and convince legislators to enact your next legislative policy by learning to break down legislative jargon into understandable language.

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Instructor(s): Rebecca Fotsch, JD
Course Dates: January 8 - March 1, 2024
Delivery Method: Blended
Cost: $50
Pathway: Public Policy & Legislation
Program Credit: 1.0
CEs: 20.4

Course tuition includes all course materials and texts. Tuition assistance is available for those in need. Please note: Courses are offered at no charge for NCSBN members.