Registered Nurse Continuing Education Requirements by State: A Comprehensive Guide

Continuing education (CE) is a crucial aspect of maintaining competency and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care in the ever-evolving field of nursing. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are typically required to complete CE courses to renew their licenses. However, the specific requirements vary significantly from state to state. This article provides a detailed overview of the continuing education requirements for RNs and LPNs across different states, offering a comprehensive guide for nurses to stay informed and compliant.

General Overview of CE Requirements

Most states mandate a certain number of contact hours of continuing education every two to three years for RNs and LPNs. The content of these courses must be relevant to nursing practice and is often specified by the state's Board of Nursing. Contact hours are typically earned through workshops, conferences, lectures, online courses, and independent study.

State-by-State Breakdown of CE Requirements

The following sections detail the specific CE requirements for RNs and LPNs in various states, based on available information.

Alabama

RNs: Twenty-four contact hours every 2 years. Twelve contact hours allowed through independent study.
LPNs: Twenty-four contact hours every 2 years. Twelve contact hours allowed through independent study.
Additional Requirements: Four contact hours of Alabama Board-provided CE related to Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability are required for the first license renewal.

Alaska

RNs: Twenty-four 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: Eighteen hours of CE must be completed.

Florida

RNs: 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.
LPNs: 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.

Iowa

RNs and LPNs: 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.
- Practice:
  - Current nursing specialty certification as defined in Section 402;
  - 100 hours of practice or simulation practice
- Education, CE, E-learning, and In-service:
  - 15 contact hours of continuing education;
  - Completion of a minimum of one (1) semester credit hour of post-licensure academic education;
  - 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.

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.
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.

Kentucky

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.

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.

Montana

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.

Nebraska

Must be related to the practice of nursing. At least 10 of the 20 hours must be formally peer reviewed and approved continuing education.

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.

North Dakota

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.

Oklahoma

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.

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.

Oregon

Beginning 08/27/2015, RNs and LPNs must complete one of the following options within every two-year renewal period.
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.

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).

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.

South Carolina

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.

Tennessee

CE for relicensure is not mandatory. However, mandatory continuing competency is required.

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.

Virginia

To renew an active nursing license, a licensee shall complete at least one of the following learning activities or courses:

Current specialty certification by a national certifying organization, as defined in 18VAC90-19-10;
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;
A Board-approved refresher course in nursing;
Completion of nursing-related, evidence-based practice project or research study;
Completion of publication as the author or co-author during a renewal cycle;
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;
Teaching or developing nursing-related continuing education courses for up to 30 contact hours;
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

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.
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.

West Virginia

Completion of the 12 contact hours of CE required for RN relicensure may be accomplished by:

Completing 12 contact hours of CE from an approved CE provider; or
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; orG. 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.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

At least 30 contact hours of continuing education, including 15 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy.
15 contact hours every 2 years.
80 contact hours every 2 years, including 20 CEs in pharmacotherapeutics, 10 of which must be in safe opioid prescribing.
36 contact hours every 3 years and maintain current certification in specialty.
36 contact hours every 3 years.
50 contact hours every two years, including 30 in Category I and 20 in Category II.
No CE required.
No CE Required.
20 contact hours every two years (to maintain RN licensure).
12 contact hours every two years.
48 contact hours (24 of which go to RN license maintenance) every 2 years for each APRN license held. RN licensure maintenance every 2 years.
30 contact hours every 2 years, including 2 CEs in child abuse recognition and reporting.
10 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours of substance abuse CE.
30 contact hours every 2 years.
30 contact hours every 2 years.
30 contact hours every 2 years.
Required to maintain national certification.
5 contact hours every year for practicing nurses. Must be accompanied by two documents verifying competence or 10 contact hours annually for those not practicing and one additional document verifying competence.
5 contact hours for practicing nurses accompanied by two documents verifying competence or 10 contact hours for those not practicing and one additional document verifying competence.
20 contact hours every 2 years.
20 contact hours every 2 years.
20 contact hours every 2 years.
Required to maintain national certification.
15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two 2 years, or one of nine other options. APRNs are required to maintain national certification, or 40 contact hours in specialty areas approved by certifying agency every two years.
15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two 2 years, or one of nine other options.
8 contact hours every year.
8 contact hours every year.
12 contact hours every year. Must include best prescribing and drug diversion training if licensee prescribes, administers, or dispenses controlled substances.
24 hours every two years with 12 hours in pharmacotherapeutics and 12 hours in the clinical management of patients.

Additional Information: Iowa as an Example

Iowa law mandates continuing education (CE) for nursing licensure renewal. Licensees are responsible for tracking nursing CE credits throughout their renewal period. Renewal or reactivation of all licenses requires 36 contact hours of continuing education. Your CE documentation should be ready to turn in for audit purposes and kept for four years. CE credit must be earned within the renewal period to count. CE offerings must be at least one hour. Every 60 minutes is one contact hour of CE. After the first hour, every 15-minute increment counts for a quarter of an hour of credit. Appropriate subject matter is coursework that applies to nursing practice. Documented attendance to webinars or video events offered by an approved providerSelf-study or online courses if offered by an approved providerNational certification or recertification related to nursing will count as 36 contact hours. This includes Case Manager Certification and Certified Clinical Research Professionals.Completion of a nurse residency program. This list of courses is for the information and convenience of the public. Preceptorship must be for a minimum of 120 hours and counts as 12 contact hours. This must be a one-on-one relationship and part of an organized preceptorship program. The supervising institution will maintain documentation. Precepting may include: Nursing students. Employees transitioning to a new roleFor more information, review the Preceptor Form and Preceptor Q&A. Completion of a nurse residency program counts as 36 contact hours.Academic credit counts for continuing education (CE) requirements for the renewal period. All courses must be appropriate subject matter. Courses taken beyond those required for original licensure qualify, including electives and prerequisites.One semester hour is equal to 15 contact hours of CE.One quarter hour is equal to 10 contact hours of CE.A copy of official college or university transcripts may be requested for audits.

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Importance of Staying Informed

Given the variability in CE requirements, it is imperative that RNs and LPNs stay informed about the specific regulations in their state of licensure. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the inability to renew their nursing license, impacting their ability to practice. Nurses should regularly check with their state's Board of Nursing for the most up-to-date information and any changes to the CE requirements.

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