Article Summary:
CRNAs must earn pharmacology CE credits as part of their Class A requirements under the NBCRNA’s MAC program. This article breaks down why pharmacology education matters and highlights the APEX Anesthesia courses and bundles that qualify, making it easier to choose the right CE path
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With new medications, guidelines, and drug interactions, every practicing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) needs to fulfill their continuing education (CE) pharmacology requirements.
If you’re a CRNA who needs an easy, convenient way to complete your Class A credits for maintaining your certification, all APEX Anesthesia CRNA courses include pharmacology content, ensuring you meet your requirements efficiently.
Why Pharmacology CE Credits Matter for CRNAs
The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) introduced the new Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program in 2025, and by 2026, all CRNAs will be enrolled. Replacing the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program, the MAC Program requires CRNAs to complete:
- The MAC Check: A longitudinal assessment designed to track a CRNA’s progress and performance over time.
- MAC Ed: 60 Class A credits earned through online courses, workshops, or other activities approved by an accredited organization.
- MAC Dev: 40 Class B credits earned for professional development activities such as teaching, publishing, research, and more.
CRNAs must continue learning to practice patient safety, comply with guidelines, and administer anesthesia confidently. That’s why CRNAs often earn pharmacology CE credits along with their Class A credits.
MAC Ed (Class A) credits must be earned through activities that have prior approval from the following accredited organizations: the American Association of Nursing Anesthetists (AANA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). APEX Anesthesia’s online CRNA courses are all approved by the AANA and contain pharmacology content, making them eligible to count toward your 60 required credits.
Which APEX Courses Offer Pharmacology CE Credits
CPC Core Module
Our CPC Core Module course includes an Applied Clinical Pharmacology module and is officially recognized by NBCRNA. Upon completion, you’ll earn 23 Class A credits and 8 pharmacology credits.
Back to Basics
Back to Basics is the best if you prefer to choose your learning path. It covers key pharmacology and therapeutics topics and offers 70 Class A credits and 15 pharmacology credits.
CRNA Updates Vol. 1–5
CRNA Updates has clinically relevant articles and audio, and each volume includes pharmacology updates. There are 30 Class A credits per volume and a range of 8.5–19 pharmacology credits in total.
CE Mastery Bank
Our Continuing Education (CE) Master Bank features quiz-based learning with rationales and pharmacology content review. You can earn 25 Class A credits and 3 pharmacology credits upon completion.
CRNA Essentials Bundle
This bundle has it all. With 118 Class A credits and 26 pharmacology credits, it combines our Core Modules, Back to Basics, and Mastery Bank courses for comprehensive CE coverage.
MAC Program Bundle
Ideal for meeting your MAC Ed and Dev requirements, the MAC Program Bundle includes our Back to Basics, Updates Vol. 1–4, and Mastery Bank courses. In total, you can earn 215 Class A credits and 71 pharmacology credits.
All-Inclusive Bundle
APEX has you covered for your complete 4-year cycle. Our All-Inclusive Bundle includes all APEX courses with extensive pharmacology content. Earn up to 268 Class A credits and 88.5+ pharmacology credits for your recertification.
How APEX Helps You Meet NBCRNA MAC Requirements
All of our self-paced online courses are AANA-approved and NBCRNA-recognized. Courses are on-demand and designed to fit your busy schedule—access them anytime on desktop or mobile.
Furthermore, we report Class A credits for AANA members, making it easier to fulfill your MAC Ed requirements. We also help CRNAs maintain their certification and stay current in pharmacology and anesthesia best practices with up-to-date content.
How to Choose the Right APEX Course
All APEX courses include pharmacology content, but if you have different needs, we’re here to help you choose the bundle that works best for you!
Need to complete your continuing education requirements quickly? Try our CE Mastery Qbank! Or if you need more comprehensive coverage of topics, check out our CRNA Essentials or All-Inclusive Bundle. On the other hand, if you only need to complete your MAC Ed or Dev requirements, the MAC Program bundle would suit you best.
There’s a bundle for every CRNA. Meet your pharmacology CE and maintain NBCRNA certification with the help of APEX Anesthesia today.
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