IV Provider Course — Frequently Asked Questions:
We have included a list of FAQs. If you seek an answer to a question that is not on this list, please email support@HCTAUSA.org
Q: I am a CNA / Patient Care Tech / Nurses Aide / Nursing Assistant. Can I take the IV course?
A: This is our number one question for the IV course. Every state has its own laws/rules/regulations; therefore, it's a complicated answer, but the general rule is as follows: as unlicensed assistive personnel, in many states, you will not be permitted to start IVs, but you may be permitted to remove an IV in some states (some employers may even require you to obtain IV certification that includes removing IVs). You will need to check with your state to determine your scope of practice. When contacting them, you will want to obtain their decision in writing so that you can use it as proof if you are ever involved in any legal proceedings (please include their written response in an email to our office, support@HCTAUSA.org — our office will review their response and then permit you to register, if allowed). Please contact your state department of health/board of nursing, etc., to ensure that you are legally allowed to perform IV therapy (i.e., start or discontinue an IV). Our office/faculty cannot determine if this is in your scope of practice — only your state/board can determine this for you. If your employer requires that you be certified to remove an IV, you can register to take the IV course; however, your scope of practice will be limited by state laws/regulations (meaning that if you are IV certified, you may only be allowed to remove an IV but not initiate one).
Q: Is this a virtual course?
A: Not entirely. This course has an online component and in-person skills training and testing. The online portion of the course is accessed from "My Account" on our home page and must be completed within 90 days of course registration; the online module of this course is not presented live and involves reading assignments of the presented content.
Q: How do you perform the practical testing for this course?
A: The practical testing is performed at one of our IV course locations. The course allows for short demonstrations and testing during your course. You are tested based on the course competency testing checklist (provided at your course and available in the LMS upon course registration). Mannequins are used for practice and testing.
Q: In this course, will students "stick each other" (perform venipuncture)?
A: No. All venipuncture attempts are performed on mannequins. The insurance for this course does not permit any venipuncture on a live person.
Q: Do I have to renew my IV certification? (Does my IV certificate expire?)
A: Technically, the IV certification, at this time, is a life-long certification. However, it is HIGHLY recommended that you renew if you have not yet utilized the skills taught in the IV program. As you can probably appreciate, if you do not use IV skills (i.e., starting an IV), you may lose the skills, and a refresher is a smart idea (see below for how to register to refresh your skills).
Q: I have not used my IV skills in a while; how can I register to refresh my IV skills?
A: You may register via our website; however, please note that you must enroll in the complete program — there is no separate IV skills session to perform IV skills. The online course and the in-person course will both be part of your new IV course registration (it is your decision whether you wish to complete the online program and attend just the in-person session). If you attend only the in-person session (and do not complete the online portion of the course), you won't get any contact hours. Contact hours are only awarded to those who complete both program components (online/in-person workshop).
Q: How do I take the written exam for this course?
A: The written exam is completed online in your learning management account.
Q: I'm in a hurry to get my IV certificate. How quickly can I obtain it?
A: After you complete both modules, please email our office at support@HCTAUSA.org, and we will issue your certificate via email.
Q: I'm a brand-new RN. Can I take this course?
A: Absolutely.
Q: I'm an RN nursing student. Can I take this course? (I have not yet taken my NCLEX)
A: Absolutely. However, depending on your state, you may not be able to perform IV therapy before receiving your RN license. Contact hours are only valid if you obtain them ("credits") after your RN (or LPN) license has been issued. (This is important to know: you will not be able to use the credits earned in this course to renew your license until that point, but you will still be issued an IV certificate upon completing the course.) Please get in touch with your board of nursing for the number of contact hours you will need to renew your nursing license, the type of contact hours required, and how to use them, as the rules vary from state to state.
Q: How do I receive my contact hours?
A: Upon course completion, the contact hours are issued via email.
Q: Can you extend my time to complete the online portion of the course?
A: Sadly, no. We would have to obtain a license to the learning system to add more access to your account. There is a charge to do so; please email our office to arrange it.
Q: What happens if I fail all three attempts of the exam?
A: You will have three opportunities to pass the online exam. If unsuccessful, you would need to re-enroll in the course.
Q: Does this course cover PICC lines, central lines, and phlebotomy?
A: This course certifies short peripheral venous access device (VAD) insertion, management, and removal. It does not cover other content, except for an overview of central lines in the online portion of the course.
Q: Can I print the online course?
A: Sadly, no. Our system doesn't support printing the online course, as it is licensed to our organization, and that license does not permit printing.
Q: Does this course cover IV pumps?
A: It is your employer's responsibility to train you on the IV pumps used in your facility as part of your orientation. Employee orientation and equipment familiarity are standards imposed upon employers.
Q: Do I need to complete the online modules before attending the in-person module of the course?
A: No. You can complete the online portion after you have completed the in-person modules. Remember, you must complete the online portion within 90 days of registration.
Q: Is this course accepted in my state or by my employer?
A: This course is accepted in most states for RNs. However, LPNs and other professionals MUST contact their state board (or employer) to confirm the requirements for IV therapy and whether their scope of practice permits it. Note: this course is valid for all RNs.
Q: Do you cover lectures during the in-person portion of the course?
A: The in-person portion of the course covers only hands-on learning. Lectures are covered only during the online modules.
Q: Are you accredited to provide this program?
A: There is no simple answer to this question. No national body oversees IV therapy certification in the USA. However, the Infusion Nursing Society (INS) defines the standards that an IV program should follow, and our program meets all of their standards, exceeding many of the recommendations and course content typically provided in IV training. Additionally, we provide nationally recognized contact hours for this course (in all states except Iowa). Most states have different regulations for LPNs/LVNs, and we encourage you to check with your board to ensure that you can legally perform IV therapy (as per your scope of practice) once certified in your state.
Q: Are the contact hours for this course valid in all states?
A: Mostly, yes. Iowa is the only state that has imposed some restrictions. If you are in Iowa, you must confirm with your board of nursing whether national-level contact hours are valid for your nursing license renewal.
Q: Do you issue the IV certificate during the in-person module of the course?
A: The certificates are often emailed once the online and in-person modules are completed. It is not guaranteed that they will be issued at your course, as our office staff may not be in the office during your class. If you are in a rush to get your certificate, please email our office, and we will do our best to issue it as soon as possible (via email).
Q: How long is the in-person portion of this course; the website states 4-6 hours!?
A: The in-person portion of the course is tailored to the hands-on learning needs of the group, and is often completed in approximately 2-4 hours. However, extra time is reserved for any learner(s) who wishes for extra practice time.
Q: How long does the IV Therapy course take to complete at home?
A: The online portion of the IV Therapy course takes approximately 6-9 hours of work.
Q: I want to take the IV Instructor course. Should I sign up for this course?
A: This course (IV Therapy Certification Course) is a prerequisite for the IV Instructor course. If you do not have IV experience, you should take this course first, and after gaining experience with live patients, you can then take the IV Instructor course. If you already have IV experience, you can take this course simultaneously with the IV Instructor course — during your skills session, you will be tested as a provider and separately monitored as an instructor candidate by one of our course faculty. For more information on the IV Instructor Course: Click here
Q: How many questions are on the written exam?
A: There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the written exam.
Q: What is the passing score for the written exam?
A: To pass the written exam, you must score 80% or greater.
Q: How many attempts do I have to pass the written exam?
A: You have three attempts to pass the online written exam. Each attempt will have different questions.
Q: How can I study for the written exam?
A: The written exam content is contained in the online course. Each module/section has a quiz, and the exam questions are all based on the course lessons/content. Those who complete all the modules usually pass the written exam.
Q: I have taken an online program elsewhere; can their program count toward the IV training?
A: Sadly, no. We do not evaluate external IV programs for acceptance. To obtain IV Certification, you must complete our entire course.
Q: When I come to class for my skills session, will I practice with real people?
A: No, you will practice your IV Therapy skills on rubber arms, hands, and cuffs. Our insurance does not cover training on a live person.
Q: What if I don't have time to finish the online portion before the day I have to come in for skills?
A: That isn't a problem — you are welcome to come to the skills portion on the date you register. Once you complete the online portion, email us to let us know your coursework is complete, and we will issue your certificate. You have time to complete the work and pass the exam after your skills session.
Q: Is there an additional textbook required for this course?
A: No, you will not need to make any additional purchases for this course.
Q: What is the dress code for class?
A: We recommend you wear comfortable clothing, in layers, to all our classes. For IV Therapy specifically, you may want to wear clothing that you won't mind getting discolored by the solution.
Q: Should I add this course to my resume?
A: Yes. Add this and all other certification courses to your resume. Any certifications you receive will help you stand out against other applicants.
Q: Should I list this course on my resume if I'm scheduled to take it but haven't completed it yet?
A: Yes, by all means, list your scheduled courses on your resume, along with the date, facility location, and phone number where you're taking the class. This will give the interviewer the information they need if they require verification.
Q: I am a Medical Assistant. Do you know if I can take the IV therapy course?
A: Some states allow a medical assistant to initiate and remove IVs; however, not every state allows this. Before registering for this program, you MUST check with your state whether starting and removing IVs is part of your scope of practice. Those employed as technicians and not permitted to initiate an IV (varies by employer and state) may still be trained to remove an IV; since this course covers IV removal, you may be permitted to use some of the skills in this program, but only in a limited capacity (i.e., removal of IVs).
Q: I am a Phlebotomist. Do you know if I can take the IV therapy course?
A: Most states do not permit those with phlebotomy training/certification to initiate IVs; we recommend that you check with your state before registering for this program (as refunds are unavailable) to confirm whether starting and removing IVs is part of your scope of practice. In many cases, we have found that IV therapy is not permitted for those certified only in phlebotomy. However, those employed as technicians and not permitted to initiate an IV (varies by employer and state) may still be trained to remove an IV; since this course covers IV removal, you may be permitted to use some of the skills in this program, but only in a limited capacity (i.e., removal of IVs).
Q: I have a group/team/co-workers that I would like to train. Can you help?
A: Yes, please click this link to complete the particulars of your group/team: Group Sales, and our group sales team will get in touch to discuss your needs.
