| State | CE Requirements for RNs | CE Requirements for LPNs | Special Requirements and Notes | State Governing Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama |
Twenty-four contact hours every 2 years for RNs. Twelve contact hours allowed through independent study. |
Twenty-four contact hours every 2 years for LPNs. Twelve contact hours allowed through independent study. |
Four contact hours of Alabama Board- provided CE related to Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability is required for the first license renewal. RN licenses are valid from January 1 of each odd-numbered year and expires December 31 of each even-numbered year. |
Alabama Board of Nursing |
| Alaska |
RNs: Two of the following three are required for license renewal: 30 contact hours, OR 30 hours professional nursing activities, OR 320 hours nursing employment. |
LPNs: Two of the following three are required for license renewal: 30 contact hours, OR 30 hours professional nursing activities, OR 320 hours nursing employment. |
Alaska Board of Nursing Dept. of Commercial and Economical Development Division of Occupational Licensing |
|
| Arizona | CE not required. | CE not required. | Arizona State Board of Nursing | |
| Arkansas |
RNs: 15 contact hours every two years, or certification or recertification during the renewal period by a national certifying body, or completion of a recognized academic course in nursing or a related field. |
LPNs: 15 contact hours every two years, or certification or re-certification during the renewal period by a national certifying body, or completion of a recognized academic course in nursing or a related field. |
Arkansas State Board of Nursing | |
| California |
All RNs in the State of California who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 hours of CE for license renewal. |
LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of CE every two years in order to renew their license with an active status |
State of California Board of Registered Nursing | |
| Colorado | CE not required. | CE not required. | Colorado Board of Nursing | |
| Connecticut | CE not required. | CE not required. |
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing Division of Health Systems Regulation |
|
| Delaware | RNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every two years. | LPNs are required to complete 24 contact hours every two years. | Three of the 30 hours must be in the area of substance abuse. | Delaware Board of Nursing |
| District of Columbia |
RNs are required 24 contact hours every two years, three of which must be in HIV/AIDS and are required to complete two hours of instruction in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ. |
LPNs must complete 18 hours of CE. Compliance Options: (1) Contact Hour Option: Provide Course Completion Certificates; (2) Academic Option: Provide transcript that indicates completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in nursing or relevant to the practice of nursing; (3) Teaching Option: Provide acceptance letter/email as evidence of having developed or taught a CE course or educational offering approved by the Board or a Board-approved accrediting body; (4) Author or Editor Option: Provide acceptance letter from publishers, as evidence that you are an authored or edited a book, chapter or published peer reviewed periodical. |
Three contact hours on HIV/AIDS is required, beginning with the 2016 renewal. |
District of Columbia Board of Nursing |
| Florida |
All Florida-licensed RNs are now in a 24-month renewal cycle and must complete 24 hours of appropriate CE during each renewal period. One contact hour is required for each calendar month of the licensure cycle, including two hours on prevention of medical errors. HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, one-hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence CE is now a two-hour requirement every third renewal. There is a new two-hour CE course requirement for Recognizing Impairment in the Workplace that becomes effective August 1, 2017, then every other biennium thereafter. Registered Nursing Group 1 will be the first group required to have the new CE for the renewal period ending April 30, 2018. |
All Florida-licensed LPNs are now in a 24-month renewal cycle and must complete 24 hours of appropriate CE during each renewal period. One contact hour is required for each calendar month of the licensure cycle, including two hours on prevention of medical errors. HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, one-hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence CE is now a two-hour requirement every third renewal. For example, if you renew your license on January 31, 2007, you are required to complete the Domestic Violence CE before the January 31, 2011 renewal. |
Click here to view AAACEUs courses that were designed specifically for Florida. |
Florida Board of Nursing |
| Georgia | Thirty hours every two years | Thirty hours every two years | See state website for additional renewal options | Georgia Board of Nursing |
| Hawaii |
Beginning July 1, 2017, for every two-year renewal period, RNs must complete one of the following: 30 contact hours of CE, completion of a Board-approved refresher course, completion of a minimum of two semester credits of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice from an accredited nursing program. |
Beginning July 1, 2017, for every two-year renewal period, LPNs must complete one of the following: 30 contact hours of CE, completion of a Board-approved refresher course, completion of a minimum of two semester credits of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice from an accredited nursing program. |
For more options, see the Hawaii Board of Nursing Professional and Vocational Licensing |
Hawaii Board of Nursing Professional and Vocational Licensing Division |
| Idaho |
New Continuing Competency Requirements (effective with the 2019 renewal); in order to renew, a licensee shall complete or comply with at least two of any of the learning activities listed below within the two-year renewal period. a. Practice: i. Current nursing specialty certification as defined in Section 402; ii. 100 hours of practice or simulation practice b. Education, CE, E-learning, and In-service: i. 15 contact hours of continuing education; ii. Completion of a minimum of one (1) semester credit hour of post-licensure academic education; iii. Completion of a Board-recognized refresher course; See additional options on Idaho Board of Nursing website |
New Continuing Competency Requirements (effective with the 2018 renewal); in order to renew, a licensee shall complete or comply with at least two (2) of any of the learning activities listed in the RN requirements within the two (2) year renewal period. |
Idaho Board of Nursing | |
| Illinois | RNs are required to complete 20 contact hours every two years. | LPNs are required to complete 20 contact hours every two years. | Illinois Department of Professional Regulation | |
| Indiana | CE not required. | CE not required. | Indiana State Board of Nursing Health Professions Bureau | |
| Iowa |
RNs and LPNs: For renewal of a three-year license, the requirement is 36 contact hours. For renewal of a license that has been issued for less than three years, the requirement is 24 contact hours. For reactivation from an inactive status, the requirement is 12 contact hours that are not more than 12 months old at the time the credit is submitted for reactivation. For renewal of a license that has been issued for less than three years, the requirement is 24 contact hours or 2.4 CE Units. It is also required that RNs and LPNs who regularly examine, attend, counsel, or treat dependent adults or children in Iowa complete training related to the identification and reporting of child/dependent adult abuse. The licensee is required to complete at least two hours of training every five years. |
RNs and LPNs: For renewal of a three-year license, the requirement is 36 contact hours. For renewal of a license that has been issued for less than three years, the requirement is 24 contact hours. For reactivation from an inactive status, the requirement is 12 contact hours that are not more than 12 months old at the time the credit is submitted for reactivation. For renewal of a license that has been issued for less than three years, the requirement is 24 contact hours or 2.4 CE Units. It is also required that RNs and LPNs who regularly examine, attend, counsel, or treat dependent adults or children in Iowa complete training related to the identification and reporting of child/dependent adult abuse. The licensee is required to complete at least two hours of training every five years. |
For renewal of a license that has been issued for less than three years, the requirement is 24 contact hours or 2.4 CEUs. |
Iowa Board of Nursing |
| Kansas |
RNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every two years. There is no maximum on the number of independent study hours that can be obtained. |
LPNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every two years. There is no maximum on the number of independent study hours that can be obtained. |
Kansas State Board of Nursing | |
| Maine | CE not required. | CE not required. | Maine State Board of Nursing | |
| Maryland | No CE required, but an approved refresher course is needed. | CE not required. | Maryland Board of Nursing | |
| Massachusetts | RNs are required to complete 15 contact hours every two years. | LPNs are required to complete 15 contact hours every two years. |
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing Division of Professional Licensure |
|
| Kentucky |
RNs must have proof of earning 14 approved contact hours or one of the other competency options stated by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (see website link). Other required courses: Course- Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, also known as “Shaken Baby Syndrome.” 1.5 hours. This is a one-time CE requirement covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma. Nurses licensed as of July 15, 2010 have until December 31, 2013 to complete the course. Nurses licensed after that date have three years from the date of licensure to complete the course. Course- HIV/AIDs. All nurses are required to earn two contact hours of approved HIV/AIDS CE within the appropriate 10-year period. |
LPNs must have proof of earning 14 approved contact hours or one of the other competency options stated by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (see website link) |
Click here to view our courses that were designed specifically for Kentucky. Additional Requirements – see State Website |
Kentucky Board of Nursing |
| Louisiana |
RNs and LPNs: The annual continuing education requirement are based on employment: five contact hours (full-time nursing practice), 10 contact hours (part-time nursing practice), or 15 contact hours (not employed or worked less than 160 hours). |
RNs and LPNs: The annual continuing education requirement are based on employment: five contact hours (full-time nursing practice), 10 contact hours (part-time nursing practice), or 15 contact hours (not employed or worked less than 160 hours). |
For RNs with employer-verified nursing practice of 1,600 hours or more for the current year (10 full months at 40 hours per week), a minimum of five contact hours of nursing CEs are required each year to renew. For an RN whose employer- verified nursing practice for the year was 159 hours or less – or – the nurse who was either unemployed or self-employed for the current year, a minimum of 15 contact hours is required. For RNs whose employer-verified nursing practice was between 160 hours to 1,599 hours for the current calendar year, the RN will need a minimum of 10 contact hours to qualify for annual renewal. |
Louisiana State Board of Nursing |
| Michigan |
All Michigan licensed nurses must complete 25 hours of Board- approved CE, with at least one hour in pain and symptom management, within the two years immediately preceding the expiration date of their license. |
All Michigan LPNs have same requirements as RNs. |
Beginning with the 2017 renewal cycle, all licensees must complete a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking. This requirement must be completed prior to the 2019 renewal cycle. Require one hour in pain and symptom management |
Michigan Department of Community Health Bureau of Health Professions Michigan Board of Nursing |
| Minnesota | RNs must complete 24 contact hours every two years. | LPNs must complete 12 contact hours every two years. | Minnesota Board of Nursing | |
| Mississippi | CE not required. | CE not required. | Mississippi Board of Nursing | |
| Missouri | CE not required. | CE not required. | Missouri State Board of Nursing | |
| Montana | CE not required. | CE not required. | Montana State Board of Nursing | |
| Nevada |
For relicensure, RNs and LPNs must have completed 30 hours of nursing-related continuing education in the previous 24 months and must have completed the state-required bioterrorism course. |
For relicensure, RNs and LPNs must have completed 30 hours of nursing-related continuing education in the previous 24 months and must have completed the state-required bioterrorism course. |
One-time mandatory Bio-Terrorism course of four hours | Nevada State Board of Nursing |
| Nebraska |
Renewal requirements for RNs and LPNs: Must be 20 contact hours within the last renewal period. Must be related to the practice of nursing. At least 10 of the 20 hours must be formally peer reviewed* and approved CE. Up to four hours may be cardiopulmonary resuscitation or basic life support courses. *Courses approved by another board of nursing are considered “Peer Reviewed.” All AAACEUs courses are approved by the California Florida, and Delaware Boards of Nursing. See approvals and accreditations: https://www |
Renewal requirements for RNs and LPNs: Must be 20 contact hours within the last renewal period. Must be related to the practice of nursing. At least 10 of the 20 hours must be formally peer reviewed and approved continuing education. Up to 4 hours may be CPR or BLS courses |
No more than 4 hours are CPR or BLS classes |
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Credentialing Division Nursing Support Section |
| New Hampshire |
RNs and LPNs: 30 contact hours in two years immediately preceding license application, including workshops, conferences, lectures or other education offerings designed to enhance nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills. There is no limit to the number of contact hours that can be completed through independent study. |
RNs and LPNs: 30 contact hours in two years immediately preceding license application, including workshops, conferences, lectures or other education offerings designed to enhance nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills. There is no limit to the number of contact hours that can be completed through independent study. |
New Hampshire Board of Nursing | |
| New Jersey |
CE requirements for New Jersey: 30 contact hours every two years for RNs |
CE requirements for New Jersey: 30 contact hours every two years for LPNs |
Mandatory one-hour tissue organ donation course required | New Jersey Board of Nursing |
| New Mexico |
RNs are required to complete 30 hours of approved CE within the 24 months immediately preceding expiration of license. |
LPNs are required to complete 30 hours of approved CE within the 24 months immediately preceding expiration of license. |
New Mexico Board of Nursing | |
| New York |
RNs are required to complete three contact hours infection control every four years; two contact hours child abuse (onetime requirement for initial license); Programs must be from an approved provider. |
LPNs are required to complete three contact hours infection control every four years; Program must be from an approved provider. |
Two-hour child abuse course, three-hour infectious control for health care professionals |
Division of Professional Licensing Services NY State Education Department Nurse |
| North Carolina |
RNs: For reinstatement or relicensure, a plans for continued competence and completion of one of the following is required.
|
LPNs: For reinstatement or relicensure, a plans for continued competence and completion of one of the following is required.
|
North Carolina Board of Nursing | |
| North Dakota |
For RN license renewal, the nurse must meet the continued competence requirements. Included in this requirement is the completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education. All CE required for license renewal may be obtained online. |
For LPN license renewal, the nurse must meet the continued competence requirements. Included in this requirement is the completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education. All CE required for license renewal may be obtained online. |
See additional competency cycle options on state website | North Dakota Board of Nursing |
| Ohio |
RN relicensure requirement: 24 contact hours every two years. At least one contact hour must be related to Chapters 4723, 1-23 of the Ohio Nurse Practice Code and Rules. |
LPN relicensure requirement: 24 contact hours every two years. At least one contact hour must be related to Chapters 4723, 1-23 of the Ohio Nurse Practice Code and Rules. |
Click here to view AAACEUs courses that were designed specifically for Ohio. At least one contact hour must be related to Chapters 4723, 1-23 of |
Ohio Board of Nursing |
| Oklahoma |
Beginning 08/27/2015, RNs and LPNs must complete one of the following options within every two-year renewal period. 1) verify 520 hours of employment a year, or 2) complete 24 hours of CE, or 3) verify current certification in a nursing specialty area, or 4) complete a board approved refresher course, or 5) complete six academic semester credits hours of coursework at the current level of licensure or higher. |
Same as RNs | Oklahoma Board of Nursing | |
| Oregon |
RNs: One-time requirement for seven hours of pain management-related CE. One hour must be a course provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission. The remaining six hours can be your choice of pain management topics. Once this requirement is fulfilled, there are no additional CE requirements for renewal. |
LPNs: One-time requirement for seven hours of pain management-related CE. One hour must be a course provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission. The remaining six hours can be your choice of pain management topics. Once this requirement is fulfilled, there are no additional CE requirements for renewal. |
Only CE Requirement: Seven hours of Pain Management CE. One of the hours must be a one-hour course provided by the Oregon Pain Management Commission. |
Oregon State Board of Nursing |
| Pennsylvania |
Thirty contact hours every two years for RNs. Beginning in 2014 RNs must complete 2 hours of approved child abuse and recognition and report training every renewal (Act 31). See state website for additional information. |
Beginning in 2014, LPNs must complete two hours of approved child abuse and recognition and report training every renewal (Act 31). See state website for additional information. |
RNs renew either April 30 or October 30, odd and even years | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing |
| Rhode Island |
RNs are required to complete 10 contact hours every two years. Online courses are acceptable. |
LPNs are required to complete 10 contact hours every two years. Online courses are acceptable. |
Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education Office of Health Professionals Regulation |
|
| South Carolina |
Demonstration of competency for renewal of an active RN license biennially requires documented evidence of at least one of the following requirements during the licensure period:
|
Demonstration of competency for renewal of an active LPN license biennially requires documented evidence of at least one of the following requirements during the licensure period:
|
See state website for additional renewal options |
The State Board of Nursing for South Carolina: South Carolina State Board of Nursing |
| South Dakota | CE not required. | CE not required. | South Dakota Board of Nursing | |
| Tennessee |
CE for relicensure is not mandatory. However, mandatory continuing competency is required. To maintain continued competence, the Board requires the nurse to have practiced in nursing in the last five years and additionally, the Board sets out standards of competence and requirements to maintain competence. |
CE for relicensure is not mandatory. However, mandatory continuing competency is required. To maintain continued competence, the Board requires the nurse to have practiced in nursing in the last five years and additionally, the Board sets out standards of competence and requirements to maintain competence. |
See state website for competency requirements | Tennessee State Board of Nursing |
| Texas |
RNs are required to complete 20 contact hours every two years. There is also a targeted onetime, two-contact hour CE requirement for any RN practicing in an emergency room setting for Forensic Evidence Collection |
LPNs are require to complete 20 contact hours every two years. There is also a targeted one-time, two-contact hour CE requirement for any LPN practicing in an emergency room setting for Forensic Evidence Collection |
See state website for specific requirements | Texas Board of Nurse Examiners |
| Utah |
Renewal of an RN license requires one of the following every two years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours. |
Renewal of an LPN license requires one of the following every two years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours. |
See state website for additional renewal options |
Utah State Board of Nursing Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing |
| Vermont | CE not required. | CE not required. | Vermont Board of Nursing | |
| Virginia |
To renew an active nursing license, a licensee shall complete at least one of the following learning activities or courses: 1. Current specialty certification by a national certifying organization, as defined in 18VAC90-19-10; 2. Completion of a minimum of three credit hours of post-licensure academic education relevant to nursing practice, offered by a regionally accredited college or university; 3. A Board-approved refresher course in nursing; 4. Completion of nursing-related, evidence-based practice project or research study; 5. Completion of publication as the author or co-author during a renewal cycle; 6. Teaching or developing a nursing-related course resulting in no less than three semester hours of college credit, a 15-week course, or specialty certification; 7. Teaching or developing nursing-related continuing education courses for up to 30 contact hours; 8. Fifteen contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to the practice of nursing and 640 hours of active practice as a nurse; or 9. Thirty contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to the practice of nursing. |
Same as RN | See state website for additional renewal options | Virginia Board of Nursing |
| Washington |
RNs and LPNs are required to keep documentation showing at least 531 hours of active practice and 45 clock hours of CE within a three-year cycle. The first cycle starts on your first birthday after initial licensure. You must attest every three years to reflect you have met the requirements for both practice and continuing education. Do not send documentation to the Nursing Commission in support of the attestations unless notified of an audit via your renewal notice. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission adopted rules in WA Code 246-840-200 through 260 for an independent continuing competency program effective January 2011 and recently updated effective January 2016. |
RNs and LPNs are required to keep documentation showing at least 531 hours of active practice and 45 clock hours of CE within a three-year cycle. The first cycle starts on your first birthday after initial licensure. You must attest every three years to reflect you have met the requirements for both practice and continuing education. Do not send documentation to the Nursing Commission in support of the attestations unless notified of an audit via your renewal notice. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission adopted rules in WA Code 246-840-200 through 260 for an independent continuing competency program effective January 2011 and recently updated effective January 2016. |
License renewals will continue to be annual. The Nursing Commission sends a courtesy renewal notice to RNs and LPNs 90 days prior to license expiration. The renewal notice will indicate the continuing competency due date. Notice: You will see the attestation on your renewal notice when your renewal cycle ends. It is your responsibility to inform the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission of any change in address, email, and telephone number, whether renewing or not. |
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission |
| West Virginia |
Completion of the 12 contact hours of CE required for RN relicensure may be accomplished by: 1. Completing 12 contact hours of CE from an approved CE provider; or 2. Completing six contact hours of CE from an approved CE provider, which may include two contact hours of self-study and one of the following completed during the reporting period: A. National certification initially earned or in effect the entire reporting period; B. Completion of a nursing research project as principal investigator, co-investigator or project director; C. Published a nursing related article in a national nursing or health care journal; D. Developed and presented a professional nursing education presentation; E. Participated as a clinical preceptor for at least one student or one new employee undergoing orientation and have 120 hours of one-on-one relationship as a clinical preceptor during the reporting period; F. Evidence of satisfactory evaluation of employment that covers at least six months of the reporting period; or G. Completion of an approved nursing refresher or re-entry course. |
LPNs are required to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education and engage in 400 clock hours of LPN practice in each two-year reporting period. Reporting occurs on the even years. There is also a one-time, two-contact hour requirement for end of life care including pain management. |
Click here to view AAACEUs courses that were designed specifically for West Virginia. See state website for additional requirements |
West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses |
| Wisconsin | CE not required. | CE not required. | State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing | |
| Wyoming |
Requirement for RN relicensure: 20 contact hours in the last two years OR Combination of Nursing practice and contact hours OR Minimum 1,600 hours in Nursing practice in the last five years OR Minimum 500 hours in Nursing practice in the last two years OR Passing NCLEX licensing exam within the last five years OR National certification in specialty area in last five years OR Completion of a refresher/orientation program in the last five years |
Requirement for LPN relicensure: 20 contact hours in the last two years OR Combination of Nursing practice and contact hours OR Minimum 1,600 hours in Nursing practice in the last five years OR Minimum 500 hours in Nursing practice in the last two years OR Passing NCLEX licensing exam within the last five years OR National certification in specialty area in last give years OR Completion of a refresher/orientation program in the last five years |
See state website for additional renewal options | Wyoming State Board of Nursing |
| Guam | 30 hours every two years by September 30th (odd numbered years) | 30 hours every two years by September 30th (odd numbered years) | Guam Board of Nurse Examiners |