State Nursing CE Requirements

2026 State Nursing CE Requirements

Complete Guide for RNs, NPs & LPNs

Updated 2025 • All 50 States • ANCC Accredited Solutions

50+

States & DC

2026

Renewals

ANCC

Accredited

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Board Accredited

Planning for 2026 License Renewal?

Nursing continuing education requirements vary significantly by state. Most RNs need 24-30 contact hours every 2 years, while Nurse Practitioners typically require 30-80 hours plus pharmacology education.

Updated August 2025: All requirements are current for 2026 renewals. Always verify with your state board of nursing before renewal.

Complete State-by-State Requirements

STATE & BOARD	LICENSE RENEWAL & RN CE HOURS	NP CE REQUIREMENTS	LPN CE HOURS	ANCC ACCREDITED CE PACKAGES
ALABAMA Alabama Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Alabama RN license? Your Alabama RN license renews every even-numbered year — renewal window Sept 1 to Dec 31, 2026. RN CE Hours Required: 24 contact hours every 2 years	24 contact hours including 6 in pharmacology	24 contact hours every 2 years	• Alabama APN 24-Hour CE Package \| Includes 6 Hours Pharmacology for License Renewal • 30 Hour Package Pharmacology CE
ALASKA Alaska Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Alaska RN license? Alaska nurses renew their licenses biennially. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) must renew by November 30 of even-numbered years, while Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) renew by September 30 of even-numbered years. RN CE Hours Required: Every 2 years: 2 of the 3 are required for license renewal: 30 contact hours, OR 30 hours professional nursing activities, OR 320 hours nursing employment.	At least 30 contact hours of continuing education, including 15 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy. If you hold a current DEA registration, 2 hours of education in pain management and opioid use and addiction in the two-year renewal period is required.	Every 2 years: 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 APRN 30-Hour CE Package \| Includes Pharmacology and Pain Management • 30-Hour Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
ARIZONA Arizona Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: No CE Required.	If less than 960 hrs of practice over the past 5 years, 45 hrs of education in advanced pharmacology and 45 hrs in subjects related to the APRN role are required. APRNs who hold an active DEA license, MUST have completed a minimum of three hours of opioid-related, substance use disorder-related or addiction-related continuing education.	No CE Required.	• 30-Hour Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
ARKANSAS Arkansas State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 15 contact hours every 2 years.	15 contact hours every 2 years. Licensees with prescriptive authority are required an additional 5 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics related to specialty.	15 contact hours every 2 years.	• 30-Hour Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
CALIFORNIA California Board of Registered Nursing and California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)	When do I renew my California RN license? Your CA RN license renews every two years. Your California RN license expires the last day of the month following your birth month. RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every two years.	30 contact hours every two years. NPs with prescriptive authority must complete 3 contact hours on Schedule II controlled substances as part of the 30 hours. CNMs must complete 2 contact hours on Schedule II controlled substances including both risks of addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome associated with opioids.	When do I renew my California LVN license? Every two years — expires the last day of the month following your birth month. How many CE do I need to renew my CA LVN license? 30 contact hours every two years.	• California 30 hours Complete Package - ANCC and CA Board of Nursing Approved Provider Renew Now CE is a California BRN-approved provider (CEP17292) and accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC, Provider ID: P0557) • California LVN License Renewal: 30-Hour Continuing Education Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
COLORADO Colorado Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: No CE Required.	Beginning with license renewals on or after October 1, 2022, advanced practice nurses with opioid prescriptive authority are required 2 hours of substance use prevention training, every renewal period.	No CE Required.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
CONNECTICUT Connecticut Nursing Licensure	RN CE Hours Required: Beginning with renewals after January 1, 2022, and every 6 years thereafter, 2 contact hours are required in screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief; and suicide prevention training.	50 hours of continuing education related to your area of practice every two years.	Beginning with renewals after January 1, 2022, and every 6 years thereafter, 2 contact hours are required in screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief; and suicide prevention training.	• Renew Now CE accredited Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) • ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
DELAWARE Delaware Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every 2 years, 3 hours of which must be in substance abuse.	APRNs with prescriptive authority are required 2 hours in controlled substances prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or related topics per the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.	24 contact hours every 2 years, 3 hours of which must be in substance abuse.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA District of Columbia Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 24 contact hours every 2 years, 3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics* and 2 of which must be in LGBTQ or cultural awareness.	24 contact hours every 2 years 15 of which must be in pharmacology, 3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics* and 2 of which must be in LGBTQ or cultural awareness.	18 contact hours every two years, 3 of which must be in HIV/AIDS or Director's Topics* and 2 of which must be in LGBTQ or cultural awareness.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
FLORIDA Florida Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Florida RN license? You renew your Florida RN license biennially. Your Florida RN license expires on April 30 or July 31, depending on your cohort system. RN CE Hours Required: 16 hours plus state mandates, including 2 hours for medical error prevention, 2 hours for nursing laws, 2 hours for human trafficking, 2 hours for workplace impairment, 1 hr for HIV/AIDS.	16 hours plus state mandates, including 2 hours for medical error prevention, 2 hours for nursing laws, 2 hours for human trafficking, 2 hours for workplace impairment, 1 hr for HIV/AIDS. APRNs authorized to prescribe controlled substances also need 3 hours in Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances every renewal.	16 hours plus state mandates, including 2 hours for medical error prevention, 2 hours for nursing laws, 2 hours for human trafficking, 2 hours for workplace impairment, 1 hr for HIV/AIDS.	• COMPLETE FLORIDA NURSING CE PACKAGE • Florida Board of Nursing Certified APRN Renewal Package
GEORGIA Georgia Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.	30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.	20 hours every 2 years	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package
HAWAII Hawaii Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: Every 2 years, 30 CEs or 9 other options	30 hours of continuing education, of which at least 8 hours in pharmacology and 22 hours in your practice specialty every 2 years.	Every 2 years, 30 CEs or 9 other options - See State Board website.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package
IDAHO Idaho Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 15 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years.	30 contact hours every two years, 10 of which must be in pharmacology if the nurse has prescriptive authority.	15 contact hours of continuing education every two years.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
ILLINOIS Illinois Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Illinois RN license? Every even-numbered year — your Illinois RN license expires on May 31, 2026. RN CE Hours Required: 20 contact hours every two years.	80 contact hours every 2 years. 50 hours must be in the area of practice, 20 hours in pharmacotherapeutics, and 10 hours must be in safe opioid prescribing. APRNs with Schedule II included in their Controlled Substances Registration must complete 3 hours annually in pharmacology.	20 contact hours every two years.	• Illinois RN License Renewal CE Package • Illinois Mandated CE Bundle, Cultural Competency, Implicit Bias, Sexual Harassment, and Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia • Renew Now CE's Illinois APRN 20 hour pharmacology CE package.
INDIANA Indiana State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: No CE Required.	APNs with prescriptive authority must obtain 30 contact hours, 8 of which must be in pharmacology every two years.	No CE Required.	• Indiana APN 30-Hour CE Package \| Includes 12 Pharmacology Hours and Opioid Prescribing CE • PAIN AND PAIN SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT - 2 HOUR PHARMACOLOGY CE COURSE • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
IOWA Iowa Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 36 contact hours every 3 years and mandatory Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training and DS 169 Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training.	36 contact hours every 3 years and maintain current certification in specialty. ARNPs who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat dependent adults or children must also complete 2 contact hours of training related to child/dependent adult abuse. ARNPs who prescribed opioids during the renewal cycle are required to complete 2 hours every three years regarding the CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.	36 contact hours every 3 years. LPNs who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat dependent adults or children must complete 2 contact hours of training related to child/dependent adult abuse.	• PAIN AND PAIN SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT - 2 HOUR PHARMACOLOGY CE COURSE • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
KANSAS Kansas Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every 2 years	30 contact hours every 2 years	30 contact hours every 2 years	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package
KENTUCKY Kentucky Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 14 contact hours every year	14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology.	14 contact hours every year.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
LOUISIANA Louisiana State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: A minimum of 30 hours OR a minimum of 900 practice hours every two years	Every year 30 hours at the advanced level and directly related to the fullscope of the advanced practice role and population focus for APRN whose role and population focus does not provide for certification/recertification and 6 hours in pharmacotherapeutics for APRN with prescriptive authority.	No continuing education required at this time	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
MAINE Maine Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: CE not required.	50 hours of continuing education every two years - advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority and must complete 3 contact hours of Category I continuing education on the prescribing of opioid medication.	No CE Required.	• Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
MARYLAND Maryland Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: Complete one of the following for license renewal: 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the 5 previous years; or Board-approved nursing education program within the 5 previous years; or 30 CEUs within the 2 years immediately preceding renewal.	No CE is required, but must maintain national certification.	Complete one of the following for license renewal: 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the 5 previous years; or Board-approved nursing education program within the 5 previous years; or 30 CEUs within the 2 years immediately preceding renewal.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
MASSACHUSETTS Massachusetts Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Massachusetts RN license? You must renew your Massachusetts nursing license at least every two years, with Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) authorizations expiring on your birthday in even-numbered years, and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses expiring on your birthday in odd-numbered years. RN CE Hours Required: 15 contact hours every 2 years.	15 contact hours every 2 years and maintain current certification through a national certifying organization.	15 contact hours every 2 years.	• Massachusetts RN & NP License Renewal CE Package
MICHIGAN Michigan Board of Nursing	When do I renew my Michigan RN license? You renew your Michigan RN license every two years — expires on March 31. RN CE Hours Required: 25 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours on pain and symptom management and 1 hour on human trafficking.	25 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours on pain and symptom management and one hour on human trafficking.	25 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours on pain and symptom management and 1 hour on human trafficking.	• Michigan Nursing Package - 4 Hours • Implicit Bias CE - 2 Hours (Michigan) • Human Trafficking CE - 2 Hours (Michigan) • Pain and Pain Symptom Management - 2 Hours (Michigan)
MINNESOTA Minnesota Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 24 contact hours every 2 years.	24 contact hours every 2 years (for RN licensure) and maintain licensure as an APRN through a national certifying body.	12 contact hours every 2 years.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
MISSISSIPPI Mississippi Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: CE not required. 20 contact hours if out of practice for greater than five 5 years.	5 contact hours directly related to prescribing of controlled substances and maintain national certification.	No CE Required. 20 contact hours if out of practice for greater than five 5 years.	• Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
MISSOURI Missouri Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: RNs and LPNs are not required to complete continuing education at this time.	APRNs must fulfill requirements to maintain Missouri Board of Nursing Documents of Recognition.	RNs and LPNs are not required to complete continuing education at this time.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
MONTANA Montana Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: RNs and LPNs are not required to complete continuing education at this time.	APRNs are required to maintain national certification.	RNs and LPNs are not required to complete continuing education at this time.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
NEBRASKA Nebraska Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 20 contact hours every 2 years	APRNs are required to maintain national certification, as well as their Nebraska RN license or NLC multistate license.	20 contact hours every two years.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
NEVADA Nevada State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years. including the state-required bioterrorism course. Beginning with renewals on or after January 1, 2022, all licensees are also required 4 hours relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These hours count toward the 30 hours. Some RN are required to complete a CE course on HIV/Stigma. Visit the Nevada Board of Nursing to find out your specific requirements.	45 contact hours every two years, 15 of which must be related to the area of practice and are required 2 hours of training in evidence-based suicide prevention and awareness. There is a one-time requirement of 4 contact hours in Bioterrorism. Beginning with renewals on or after January 1, 2024, APRNs are required at least 2 hours related to substance use disorder every renewal.	30 contact hours every two years. including the state-required bioterrorism course. Beginning with renewals on or after January 1, 2022, all licensees are also required 4 hours relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These hours count toward the 30 hours. You may also be required to complete CE on HIV and Stigma. Visit the Nevada Board of Nursing to view their grid to determine your specific required CE.	• Nevada Board of Nursing
NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every 2 years.	60 contact hours including 30 hours in specialty certification and, 30 hours to maintain RN licensure, and 5 hours of Pharmacology. APRNs are required to complete an additional 30 hours, 20 of which must be in the area of specialty, including 5 hours of pharmacology. APRNs with an active DEA registration number for prescribing in New Hampshire must dedicate 3 of the 5 pharmacology hours to the topics of opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance abuse disorder.	30 contact hours every 2 years.	• 30-Hour Nursing CE Package • Pharmacology CE ANCC Accredited
NEW JERSEY New Jersey Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every 2 years, including 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain and the risks of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion	30 contact hours every 2 years and 1 hour concerning prescription opioid drugs, including alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. The 30 hours for APN renewal must also include 2 hours related to end-of-life care. There is a one-time requirement of 1 contact hour of education on Organ and Tissue Donation and Recovery.	30 contact hours every 2 years, including 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain and the risks of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
NEW MEXICO New Mexico Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every 2 years.	30 contact hours every two years plus 20 additional contact hours in the following: 5 hours in the scope of practice, 10 hours in pharmacology, and 5 hours in non-cancer pain management.	30 contact hours every two years.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
NEW YORK New York Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: Must complete course work or training in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter. In addition, there is a one-time requirement of 2 hours in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting.	Must complete course work or training in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter. In addition, there is a one-time requirement of 2 hours in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting.	Must complete course work or training in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina Board of Nursing	When do I renew my North Carolina RN license? You renew your NC RN license every two years. Your North Carolina RN license expires on the last day of your birth month. RN CE Hours Required: One of the following every two years: national certification or recertification, 30 contact hours of continuing education, a board-approved refresher course, 2 semester hours of post-licensure education related to nursing practice, 15 CEU contact hours and completion of a nursing project, or 15 hours on CEU education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years. See website for further details.	One of the following every two years: national certification or recertification, 30 contact hours of continuing education, a board-approved refresher course, 2 semester hours of post-licensure education related to nursing practice, 15 CEU contact hours and completion of a nursing project, or 15 hours on CEU education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years. APRN-NPs must also maintain national certification which requires 50 contact hours, and one hour in controlled substances. See website for further details.	One of the following every two years: national certification or recertification, 30 contact hours of continuing education, a board-approved refresher course, 2 semester hours of post-licensure education related to nursing practice, 15 CEU contact hours and completion of a nursing project, or 15 hours on CEU education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two years. See website for further details.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 12 contact hours every two years.	12 contact hours every two years. APRNs authorized to prescribe are required an additional 15 contact hours in pharmacology.	12 contact hours every two years.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
OHIO Ohio Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 24 contact hours every two years, 1 of which must be directly related to the laws and rules of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.	24 hours of continuing education every two years for each APRN license held including at least 12 of the 24 contact hours must include CE in advanced pharmacology for APRN-CNP, APRN-CNS, or APRN-CNM.	24 contact hours every two years, 1 of which must be directly related to the laws and rules of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
OKLAHOMA Oklahoma Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: RNs are required one of the following every two years: verify 520 hours of employment a year, complete 24 hours of continuing education, verify or complete current certification in a nursing specialty area, or complete 6 academic semester credits hours of coursework.	Every two years 15 hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics, clinical application, and use of pharmacological agents in the prevention of illness, and in the restoration and maintenance of health, for those with prescriptive authority including 2 hours of education in pain management or 2 hours of education in opioid use or addiction, unless the APRN does not currently hold a valid federal DEA registration number.	RNs are required one of the following every two years: verify 520 hours of employment a year, complete 24 hours of continuing education, verify or complete current certification in a nursing specialty area, or complete 6 academic semester credits hours of coursework.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
OREGON Oregon State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 2 hours of cultural competency education, a one-time requirement of 6 hours in pain management and/or treatment of the terminally ill and dying patients, plus an additional one-hour course specific to Oregon provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Department of Human Services.	Active certification required. APRN-NPs licensed prior to January 1, 2011, are required 45 contact hours of CE in population foci instead of national certification.	2 hours of cultural competency education, a one-time requirement of 6 hours in pain management and/or treatment of the terminally ill and dying patients, plus an additional one-hour course specific to Oregon provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Department of Human Services.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing	RN CE Hours Required: 30 contact hours every two years, including 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training.	Non-prescribing NPs are required 30 CE hours related to specialty every two years, including 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training. NPs with prescriptive or dispensing authority are required 30 hours related to specialty every two years, 16 of which must be in advanced pharmacology, including 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training and a minimum of 2 hours in pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing opioids.	2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training every two years.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses
RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island Nursing Licensure	RN CE Hours Required: 10 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours of substance abuse CE.	10 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours of substance abuse CE. Licensees authorized to prescribe are required to submit evidence of 30 hours in pharmacology every 6 years.	10 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours of substance abuse CE.	• ANCC-Accredited Nursing CE Courses