NURSING
Continuing Education Requirements By State
Alabama
24 contact hours every 2 years for RNs. 12 contact hours allowed through independent study. Four (4) contact hours of Alabama Board – provided continuing education 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.
Alaska
Before a license can be renewed, registered and practical nurse licensees must complete two of the following methods for maintaining continuing competency (Article 6 of 12 AAC). * 30 contact hours of continuing education prescribed under 12 AAC 44.610 (certified by ANCC, ANA, AMA, a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist certifying body or approved by another Board of Nursing) * 60 hours of participation in uncompensated professional activities prescribed under 12 AAC 44.620 * 320 hours of employment as an RN or LPN prescribed under 12 AAC 44.630
Arizona
No continuing education requirements
Arkansas
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.
California
All RNs in the State of California who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education for license renewal.
Colorado
No continuing education requirements
Connecticut
No continuing education requirements
Delaware
RNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every 2 years. Three (3) of the 30 hours must be in the area of substance abuse.
District of Columbia
RNs are required 24 contact hours every two years, 3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS and are required to complete 2 hours of instruction in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ. 3.0 contact hours on HIV/AIDS is required, beginning with the 2016 renewal.
Florida
All Florida-licensed RNs are now in a 24-month renewal cycle and must complete 24 hours of appropriate continuing education during each renewal period. One (1) contact hour is required for each calendar month of the licensure cycle, including two (2) hours on Prevention of Medical Errors. HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, 1-hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence CE is now a 2-hour requirement every third renewal. There is a NEW 2-HOUR CE course requirement for the 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.
Georgia
30 hours every 2 years
Hawaii
Beginning July 1, 2017, for every 2 year renewal period RNs must complete one of the following: 30 contact hours of continuing education, 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.
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. One hundred (100) hours of practice or simulation practice b. Education, Continuing Education, E-learning, and In-service: i. Fifteen (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 BON website
Illinois
RNs are required to complete 20 contact hours every two years. Beginning January 1, 2020, all licensees are required to complete 1 hour of continuing education specific to sexual harassment prevention every renewal.
Indiana
No continuing education requirements
Iowa
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 CEUs. It is also required that RNs 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 2 years. There is no maximum on the number of independent study hours that can be obtained.
Maine
APRN Renewal Requirements CNMs in Maine must ensure they maintain their RN and APRN licenses by completing at least 75 continuing education hours during every two-year renewal cycle and applying for license renewal through the Maine Regulatory Licensing and Permitting online portal.
Maryland
No continuing education requirements.
Massachusetts
RNs are required to complete 15 contact hours every 2 years.
Kentucky
RNs must have proof of earning 14 approved contact hours or one of the other competency options stated by the Kentucky BON (see website link). Other required courses: 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 ten-year period.
Louisiana
The annual continuing education requirement is based on employment: 5 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).
Michigan
All Michigan licensed nurses must complete 25 hours of board approved continuing education, with at least one hour in pain and symptom management, within the two years immediately preceding the expiration date of their license. 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
Minnesota
RNs must complete 24 contact hours every 2 years.
Mississippi
No continuing education requirements
Missouri
No continuing education requirements
Montana
No continuing education requirements
Nevada
For re-licensure, RNs must have completed 30 hours of nursing-related continuing education in the previous 24 months, and must have completed the state-required bioterrorism course.
Nebraska
Renewal requirements for RNs: 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.
New Hampshire
30 contact hours in 2 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 Jersey
30 contact hours every two years for RNs (Mandatory one-hour tissue organ donation course required)
New Mexico
RNs are required to complete 30 hours of approved CE within the 24 months immediately preceding expiration of license.
New York
RNs are required to complete 3 contact hours infection control every 4 years; 2 contact hours child abuse (one time requirement for initial license)
North Carolina
For re-instatement or re-licensure, a plans for continued competence and completion of one of the following is required.
– National certification or re-certification by a national credentialing body recognized by the Board
– 30 contact hours of continued education
– Completion of a Board approved refresher course
– Completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice
– 15 contact hours of continued education and completion of a nursing project as principal investigator or co-investigator to include statement of problem, project objectives, methods, date of completion and summary of findings
– 15 contact hours of continued education and authoring or co-authoring a nursing related article, paper, book or book chapter
– 15 contact hours of continued education and developing and conducting a nursing continuing education presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours, including program brochure or course syllabi, objectives, date and location of presentation, and approximate number of attendees
– 15 contact hours of continued education and 640 hours of active practice within previous 2 years
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.
Ohio
RN re-licensure requirement: 24 contact hours every 2 years. At least one contact hour must be related to Chapters 4723,1-23 of the Ohio nurse practice code and rules.
Oklahoma
Beginning 08/27/2015 RNs and LPNs must complete one of the following options within every 2 year renewal period. 1) verify 520 hours of employment a year, or 2) complete 24 hours of continuing education, or 3) verify current certification in a nursing specialty area, or 4) complete a board approved refresher course, or 5) complete 6 academic semester credits hours of coursework at the current level of licensure or higher.
Oregon
One-time requirement for seven hours of pain management-related CE. One hour must be a course to be 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 is no additional CE requirements for renewal.
Pennsylvania
30 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.
Rhode Island
RNs are required to complete 10 contact hours every 2 years. Online courses are acceptable.
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: – Completion of thirty contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board – Maintenance of certification or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board – Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the board – Verification of competency and the number of hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board
South Dakota
30 contact hours in 2 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.
Tennessee
Continuing Education for re-licensure is not mandatory in Tennessee. However, mandatory continuing competency is required in Tennessee. In order to maintain continued competence, the board requires the nurse to have practiced in nursing in the last five (5) years and additionally, the Board sets out standards of competence and requirements to maintain competence.
Texas
RNs are require to complete 20 contact hours every two years. There is also a targeted 1-time, 2-contact hour CE requirement for any RN practicing in an emergency room setting for Forensic Evidence Collection
Utah
Renewal of an RN license requires one of the following every 2 years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours.
Vermont
No continuing education requirements
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.
Washington
Required to keep documentation showing at least 531 hours of active practice and 45 clock hours of continuing education 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. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission adopted rules in WAC 246-840-200 through 260 for an independent continuing competency program effective January 2011 and recently updated effective January 2016.
West Virginia
Completion of the 12 contact hours of CE required for RN re-licensure may be accomplished by:
1. Completing 12 contact hours of CE from an approved CE provider; or
2. Completing 6 contact hours of CE from an approved CE provider which may include 2 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 healthcare 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 one hundred-twenty 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. There
is also a 1-time 2-contact hour requirement for end of life care including pain
Wisconsin
No continuing education requirements
Wyoming
Requirement for RN re-licensure: 20 contact hours in the last 2 years OR Combination of Nursing practice and contact hours OR Minimum 1600 hours in Nursing practice in the last 5 years OR Minimum 500 hours in Nursing practice in the last 2 years OR Passing NCLEX within the last 5 years OR National certification in specialty area in last 5 years OR Completion of a refresher/orientation program in the last 5 years
Guam
Registered nurses shall submit evidence of thirty (30) hours of continuing education (CE) activities/seminars within the renewal period. The renewal period is biennially by September 30th of odd numbered years.
As of 1/1/2021