State Nursing CE Requirements
2026 State Nursing CE Requirements: Complete Guide for RNs, NPs & LPNs
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. Eight states require no CE for RNs: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Last Updated: August 27, 2025 | Source: State Nursing Boards | Valid for 2026 Renewals
| STATE | RNs | NPs | LPNs | CE Packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA | 24 contact hours every 2 years | 24 contact hours including 6 in pharmacology. | 24 contact hours every 2 years. | 30 Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| ALASKA | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| ARIZONA | 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. | Pharmacology CE Substance Use CE |
| ARKANSAS | 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 |
| CALIFORNIA | 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. | 30 contact hours every two years. | CA Package Implicit Bias CA |
| COLORADO | 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. | Substance Use CE |
| CONNECTICUT | 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. | 30-Hour Package Suicide Prevention |
| DELAWARE | 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. | 30-Hour Package Substance Abuse CE |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | 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. | 30-Hour Package HIV/AIDS CE |
| FLORIDA | 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. | FL Package APRN Controlled Sub |
| GEORGIA | 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 Package |
| HAWAII | 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 Package Pharmacology CE |
| IDAHO | 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 Package Pharmacology CE |
| ILLINOIS | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| INDIANA | 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. | Pharmacology CE |
| IOWA | 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. | 30-Hour Package Child Abuse Training |
| KANSAS | 30 contact hours every 2 years | 30 contact hours every 2 years | 30 contact hours every 2 years | 30-Hour Package |
| KENTUCKY | 14 contact hours every year | 14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology. | 14 contact hours every year. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| LOUISIANA | 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 Package Pharmacology CE |
| MAINE | 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. | 30-Hour Package Opioid Prescribing |
| MARYLAND | 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 Package |
| MASSACHUSETTS | 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. | MA Package |
| MICHIGAN | 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. | MI Package Implicit Bias MI |
| MINNESOTA | 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 Package |
| MISSISSIPPI | 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. | 30-Hour Package Controlled Substances |
| MISSOURI | CE not required. | No CE Required. | No CE Required. | Voluntary CE |
| MONTANA | 24 contact hours every 2 years. | 24 hours of continuing education and 12 hours in the area of pharmacotherapeutics for APRN with prescriptive authority every two years. | 24 contact hours every 2 years. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| NEBRASKA | 20 contact hours every 2 years | 20 contact hours every two years (to maintain RN licensure). Licensees who prescribe controlled substances shall include at least 3 hours on prescribing opiates. | 20 contact hours every two years. | 30-Hour Package Opiate Prescribing |
| NEVADA | 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 2 hours relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These hours count toward the 30 hours. | 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 2 hours relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These hours count toward the 30 hours. | 30-Hour Package Cultural Competency |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | 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. | 30 contact hours every 2 years. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| NEW JERSEY | 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 | 30-Hour Package Opioid Education |
| NEW MEXICO | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| NEW YORK | 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. | Infection Control Child Abuse Training |
| NORTH CAROLINA | 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. | 30-Hour Package Controlled Substances |
| NORTH DAKOTA | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| OHIO | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| OKLAHOMA | 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. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| OREGON | 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. | Cultural Competency Pain Management |
| PENNSYLVANIA | 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.* | 30-Hour Package Child Abuse Training |
| RHODE ISLAND | 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. | 30-Hour Package Substance Abuse CE |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | 30 contact hours every 2 years. May also show proof of competence by maintenance of certification by a national certifying body, completion of an academic program, or employer certification. | 30 contact hours every 2 years. A minimum of 20 of the required 30 contact hours to be in pharmacotherapeutics related to specialty, including 2 hours specific to prescribing controlled substances if authorized to prescribe controlled substances. | 30 contact hours every 2 years. May also show proof of competence by maintenance of certification by a national certifying body, completion of an academic program, or employer certification. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| SOUTH DAKOTA | CE not required. | Required to maintain national certification. No CE Required. | No CE Required. | Voluntary CE |
| TENNESSEE | 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. See website for more details. | Every two years - 5 hours of continuing education (10 hours if not currently practicing) and 2 hours of continuing education to address controlled substance prescribing practices, including the Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines, for APRN with Certificate of Fitness. | 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. See website for more details. | 30-Hour Package Controlled Substances |
| TEXAS | 20 contact hours every 2 years. Mandatory CE requirements including Forensic Evidence Collection for Nurses and Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses. | 20 contact hours every 2 years. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete an additional 5 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics every two years. | 20 contact hours every 2 years. Several mandatory CE requirements such as Nursing Jurisprudence, Ethics, Geriatric Care, and Forensic Collection. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| UTAH | One of the following every 2 years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours. | APRNs are required the following every two years: Must maintain national certification, and be currently certified in specialty area, or complete 30 hours of CE (if licensed prior to 7/1/92) and 400 hours of practice each year. | One of the following every 2 years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours. | 30-Hour Package |
| VERMONT | No CE Required. | Required to maintain national certification. APRNs who prescribe or dispense controlled substances must complete 2 hours on controlled substances every two years. | No CE Required. | Voluntary CE Controlled Substances |
| VIRGINIA | 15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two 2 years, or one of nine other options. See website for more details. | APRNs are required to maintain national certification, or 40 contact hours in specialty areas approved by certifying agency every two years. Licensees authorized to prescribe are required an additional 8 hours in pharmacology. | 15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two 2 years, or one of nine other options. See website for more details. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| WASHINGTON | 8 contact hours every year. There is a one-time requirement of 6 hours of suicide prevention training at initial licensure. | Every two years - 30 hours of continuing education in specialty area and 15 hours of continuing education in pharmacology for ARNP with prescriptive authority. | 8 contact hours every year. There is a one-time requirement of 6 hours of suicide prevention training at initial licensure. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
| WEST VIRGINIA | 12 contact hours every year. Must include best prescribing and drug diversion training if licensee prescribes, administers, or dispenses controlled substances. Also mandatory training for mental health conditions common to veterans and their families. | 24 hours every two years with 12 hours in pharmacotherapeutics and 12 hours in the clinical management of patients. 12 of these hours may count toward CE requirement for RN license. | 24 contact hours every two years, 3 of which must be in chemical dependence/substance abuse disorders and 2 must be related to mental health conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans. | 30-Hour Package Substance Abuse CE |
| WISCONSIN | CE not required. | Every two years - 16 hours of continuing education in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the advanced practice nurse prescriber's area of practice, including at least 2 contact hours in responsible prescribing of controlled substances. | No CE Required. | Voluntary CE Pharmacology CE |
| WYOMING | One of the following every two years: 400 hours of active nursing practice, or 200 hours of active nursing practice, and 15 hours of continuing education, or if less than 200 hours of active nursing practice, 30 hours of continuing education. | One of the following: Current National Certification OR 60 contact hours every 2 years AND 400 hours of employment as an APRN in specialty of advanced practice Prescriptive Authority: 5 contact hours every 2 years in pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, or drug therapy. | One of the following every two years: 400 hours of active nursing practice, or 200 hours of active nursing practice, and 15 hours of continuing education, or if less than 200 hours of active nursing practice, 30 hours of continuing education. | 30-Hour Package Pharmacology CE |
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 Nursing CE Requirements
Which states have the highest CE requirements for 2026?
Illinois has the highest NP requirements at 80 hours every 2 years. For RNs, Iowa requires 36 hours every 3 years, while California, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Carolina require 30+ hours every 2 years.
When should I start my CE hours for 2026 renewal?
Start early - many nurses begin earning CE hours 12-18 months before their renewal date to avoid last-minute rushes. Most states operate on 2-year renewal cycles.