Click on the map or the link to the left for your state's requirements.

 

Alabama
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs must earn 24 contact hours within their two-year licensing period. Nurses licensed by examination on or after October 1, 2002 must complete 4 contact hours of Board-provided continuing education related to Board functions, the Nurse Practice Act, regulations, professional conduct, and accountability. This mandatory class must be completed for the first license renewal for RNs and LPNs licensed by examination.

APNs (CRNP, CNM, CRNA, CNS) are required to have current national certification in the specialty area of practice. The national certifying organization must send official verification of this directly to the Board of Nursing prior to certification expiration date. Allow for approximately two weeks for the Board to provide you with notice for approval of continued Advanced Practice Nursing.

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Alaska
Board of Nursing

Two of the following must be met every two years:

Licensees may qualify for alternative methods of competency through a refresher course, taking the NCLEX, or by progressing towards a degree or certificate by completing two courses.

ANPs renew licensure every two years. A copy of the licensee’s national certification in the area of specialty practice is required to accompany the renewal form. Renewal of prescriptive authority includes at least eight contact hours of pharmacology relating to specialty area of practice.

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Arizona
State Board of Nursing

LPN and RN license renewal requires a minimum of 960 hours of nursing practice within a five-year period either as an employee or volunteer. Proof of citizenship, alien status, legal residency, or lawful presence in the United States is now required to renew all nursing licenses.

APNs (NP, CNM, CNS) and CRNAs are required to send official certification/recertification from their national certifying body upon license renewal for renewal of prescriptive privileges. This information must be provided by the credentialing agency directly to the Board of Nursing.

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Arkansas
State Board of Nursing

LPNs and RNs renew licensure every two years and must meet one of the following requirements:

APNs (ANP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) must submit to the Board proof of current national certification and hold a current state RN license.

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California
Board of Registered Nursing

RN and LPN license renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education through Board-approved providers during the two-year renewal period. Advanced Practice Certificates (CNS, CRNA, CNM, CNM-furnishing, NP-furnishing) do not have any additional required continuing education for renewal.

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Colorado
Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA): Board of Nursing

There are no mandatory continuing education requirements for LPN, RN, or APN license renewal. The renewal period is every two years.

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Connecticut
Board of Examiners for Nursing

LPNs and RNs have no continuing education requirements for license renewal. Licensure renewal is required on an annual basis.

APRNs are required to maintain current national certification in their specialty area. An initial 30 hours of pharmacology continuing education is required for licensure. A master’s degree in nursing or a related field is required if licensed after December 31, 1994.

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Delaware
Board of Nursing

LPNs are required to have 24 contact hours and RNs are required to have 30 contact hours for license renewal every two years. In addition, 1,000 hours of nursing practice over the past five years or 400 hours within the past two years is required.

APNs with prescriptive authority must earn an additional 10 contact hours in pharmacology/pharmatherapeutics each renewal period. In addition, APNs are required to have one of the following:

District of Columbia
Board of Nursing

LPNs are required to have 18 contact hours and RNs are required to have 24 contact hours of continuing education during the two-year renewal period. Additional ways to earn continuing education credits include:

APRNs (NP, CNS, CNM) are required to have 24 contact hours for license renewal for each specialty license. Within the 24 contact hour requirement, 15 of those contact hours must include a pharmacology component and 9 contact hours must be relevant to your area of APRN specialty.

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Florida
Board of Nursing: Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA)

All RNs and LPNs are on a 24-month renewal cycle. A total of 24 hours of continuing education is required for each renewal cycle, including:

ARNPs must have current national certification in their specialty area of practice, collaborative practice protocol on file with the Board, and malpractice insurance (or need to complete a malpractice exemption form). No additional continuing education hours are required. ARNPs with dispensing licenses will have annual reviews of their dispensing records.

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Georgia
Board of Nursing

There are no continuing education requirements for LPN and RN license renewal. The license renewal period is every two years.

APRNs (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) renew licenses on a two-year cycle. Requirements for license renewal include a completed ANP renewal application and a copy of current national certification.

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Hawaii
Board of Nursing

Renewal period is every two years for LPNs and RNs. No continuing education requirements are needed for renewal.

APRNs with master’s degrees need only renewal application. APRNs without master’s degrees need proof of current national certification and renewal application. License renewal is every two years.

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Idaho
Board of Nursing

LPN, RN, and APN licenses are renewed every two years. No continuing education is required for LPN or RN renewals. APPN (NP, CNS, CNM, RNA) renewals require:

Illinois
Department of Professional Regulation

LPN and RN license renewal require no mandatory continuing education. The license renewal period is every two years. APNs are required to have 50 hours of continuing education for every two-year renewal cycle.

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Indiana
State Board of Nursing

LPNs or RNs have no continuing education requirements for routine license renewal. Renewal period for LPN, RN, and APN (NP, CNS, CNM) licensure is every two years. APNs with prescriptive authority are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, with at least eight hours in pharmacology.

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Iowa
Board of Nursing

LPN, RN, and ARNP licenses renew every three years. LPNs and RNs need 36 contact hours of continuing education to renew licensure. However if the licensee was provided a license in less than the three-year period, 24 contact hours of continuing education are then required for this first renewal period.

ARNPs are required to meet the CE requirements of the credentialing body that provides certification in the ARNP’s focus of practice. National certification is required to be maintained. In addition, a minimum of two hours of continuing education training is required on reporting of child/dependent or adult abuse every five years if the LPN, RN, or ARNP scope of practice includes care for dependent adults or children in Iowa. This course must be approved by the Iowa Department of Public Health Abuse Education Review Panel.

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Kansas
State Board of Nursing

All nursing license categories (LPN, RN, ARNP) need to be renewed every two years. 30 hours of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) must be submitted to the board for license renewal for all nursing categories including the RN/ARNP. At the time of license renewal, copies of CNE certificates must be mailed to the Kansas State Board of Nursing (Attention: Licensing Section).

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Kentucky
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs need 14 contact hours of continuing nursing education for the 2009 renewal period which is from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009. Other options for meeting this CE requirement are available on the Kentucky Board of Nursing website. In addition, two contact hours of HIV/AIDS education is mandatory for nurses to complete once every 10 years. Also a one-time requirement of three contact hours of Domestic Violence CE is mandatory for all nursing examination candidates educated outside of Kentucky and nurses seeking reinstatement or licensure by endorsement from another state. IV Therapy CE is required for LPNs who perform IV therapy in their scope of practice (see website for specific information).

ARNPs (NP, CNM, CNS, CRNA) are required to earn five contact hours in pharmacology CE each licensure period. These pharmacology CEs count in the total contact hours needed for license renewal. Current national certification maintenance is required for ARNP licensure.

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Louisiana
State Board of Nursing

LPN and RN licenses are renewed annually. CE requirements for renewal include:

APRNs must have current national certification in the area of specialty practice in order to renew licensure. APRN licenses are renewed annually. For prescriptive authority, an initial pharmacology course of 45 contact hours is required. Grandfathered APRNs without national certification need to meet the following requirements for license renewal:

Maine
State Board of Nursing

LPNs and RNs are not mandated to have continuing education for the two-year license renewal period. APRNs are required to have 75 contact hours per two-year renewal period. 30 of the 75 hours must be in Category I, and no more than 45 hours can be in Category II (see Board website for details).

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Maryland
Board of Nursing

All licensed nurses must show evidence of 1,000 active practice hours within the five-year period for renewal, or must successfully complete a Board-approved renewal course. 10 CEUs are required per renewal year, and are submitted each year (1 clock hour = 1 CEU). APNs need to provide proof of current national certification upon renewal.

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Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Nursing

LPNs and RNs are required to have 15 contact hours within the two-year renewal period. “Initial ACLS” certification can be used towards the 15 contact hours, but not “ACLS renewal.” CPR certification cannot be used towards the 15 contact hours. APNs with prescription privileges must meet renewal requirements by submitting documentation of current national APN certification.

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Michigan
Board of Nursing

Michigan requires LPNs and RNs to have 25 contact hours within two years to renew their licenses. One contact hour is required for pain and symptom management.

Nurse Specialty Certifications, including NP, CRNA, and CNM practice, need to have a current RN Michigan license and current national certification in the area of their specialty practice. If a Nurse Practitioner is certified after 1991, proof of recertification or maintained certification is required. If first licensed by Michigan Board of Nursing before 1991, NPs need to have completed 40 hours of CEUs in the nursing specialty field within the two years prior to license renewal. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) must show proof of one of the following:

Minnesota
Board of Nursing

Continuing education is required for LPNs and RNs to renew licensure. LPNs need 12 contact hours for each two-year renewal period. RNs need 24 contact hours for each two-year renewal period.

APNs who have national certification in specialty areas must provide proof of current certification. Licenses are renewed every two years. Please check website for a list of Board-approved professional activities.

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Mississippi
Board of Nursing

RN or LPN license renewal requires no continuing education if proof of practicing within the five years prior to renewal. Otherwise nurses will need to have attended a Board-approved nursing refresher course, or 20 contact hours within the two-year period prior to license renewal, or successful completion of three semester hours of nursing credit offered by a nursing education program. LPNs currently certified in IV therapy and/or hemodialysis are required to complete a minimum of 10 continuing education hours in the expanded role of IV therapy and/or hemodialysis.

APRNs renewing licensure need to submit review of practice guidelines/protocol, documentation of 40 contact hours (4 CEUs) related to the specialty (2 contact hours within the 40 contact hours must be a Board-approved program specific to prescribing controlled substances, and no more than 20 contact hours may be obtained from medical or advanced nursing journals), and documentation of current national certification in specialty area.

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Missouri
Board of Nursing

LPN and RN renewal period is every two years. There are no requirements for continuing education for license renewal. For APNs, if your RN license is current, and your APRN Document of Recognition does not lapse, then no new APRN application nor fee will be required. A collaborative practice agreement is required for APNs.

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Montana
State Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs renew licensure every two years. Continuing education is not required for renewal. For APRNs (NP, CNM, CRNA), 40 CEUs are required every two years, and an additional 10 CEU every two years for prescriptive authority. In addition, an active RN license and current national certification in specialty area is required.

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Nebraska
Health and Human Services System, Department of Regulation and Licensure

License renewal period is every two years. RNs and LPNs need to meet requirements of one of the following:

APRN (NP) renewal period is every two years. Requirements include:

Nevada
State Board of Nursing

RN and LPN license renewals are every two years, and require the following:

APNs are required to have an additional 15 hours of CEs directly related to their area of specialty practice. CRNAs need an additional 15 hours of CE in pharmacology.

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New Hampshire
Board of Nursing

RN and LPN license renewal requires 30 contact hours within the two years prior to renewal, and one of the following:

ARNP license renewal includes 30 contact hours for RN license renewal, plus an additional 30 contact hours specific to area of advanced practice specialty (5 of the 30 contact hours must be related to pharmacology). Current certification in specialty will meet the 30 contact hours required for RN licensure renewal. In addition, 400 practice hours within the four years preceding renewal is also required.

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New Jersey
Division of Consumer Affairs

RNs and LPNs are required to have 30 contact hours for license renewal within the two-year renewal period. See website for specific information on contact hour requirements. If more than 30 contact hours are obtained by the licensee within that time frame, no more than 15 of the extra contact hours may be utilized for the next renewal period.

APNs are required to have 30 contact hours in their nursing specialty practice required for recertification of their national nursing specialty certification. A total of six Board-approved contact hours in pharmacology continuing education related to controlled dangerous substances, including pharmacologic therapy and addiction prevention and management, is required by June 19, 2009.

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New Mexico
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs must have a minimum of 30 contact hours of Continuing Education as a requirement of recertification every two years.

APNs (CNP, CNS, CRNA) must complete a minimum of 50 contact hours within the preceding two years prior to license renewal. APNs licensed after December 2, 1985 must also maintain current national certification in the nursing specialty area of advance practice for license renewal.

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New York
State Education Department, Office of the Professions

All RNS and LPNs are required to have infection control and barrier precautions continuing education training prior to each license renewal. A triennial registration period is given for all nursing licenses in the state of New York. License renewal periods are every three years. Upon initial licensure, a one-time two–hour course is required on the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. NPs are required to maintain national certification in their area of specialty practice. Completion of pharmacotherapeutic educational requirements is required for initial NP licensure.

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North Carolina
Board of Nursing

RN and LPN licenses are renewed every two years. Effective July 1, 2008, licensees seeking renewal must attest to having completed the chosen learning activity to meet the continuing competence requirement. RNs and LPNs need to complete a self-assessment of their nursing practice, develop a learning plan, and select an approved learning activity option which must be completed prior to the next renewal date. This self-assessment must address four nursing practice components:

Learning activity options include one of the following:

APRN (NP, CNM, CRNA, CNS) licensure must be renewed annually. 50 contact hours are required for renewal of APRN license each year beginning with the first renewal after approval to practice. NP compliance reviews are conducted randomly to make sure that the NPs are meeting the requirements of the Board rules and regulations during their practice. Current certification or recertification of a national credentialing body must be maintained for APRN license renewal. NPs will be chosen at random for these reviews and given at least 24 hours notice by the Board prior to being visited by a Board member for review.

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North Dakota
Board of Nursing

Continued competence requirements must be met by RNs and LPNs for license renewal, including 12 contact hours of continuing education in the preceding two years. Excess contact hours may not be used for the next renewal period. BLS and CPR classes are not allowed to be included in these mandated contact hours. RNs and LPNs need a minimum of 400 practice hours within the four-year period preceding license renewal.

Requirements for renewal of APN licenses include current certification or participation in a competence maintenance program, and the submission of a scope of practice statement for review and approval by the Board.

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Ohio
State Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs must have 24 contact hours of nursing continuing education within the renewal period. BLS and CPR cannot be used towards the 24 contact hour requirement. One hour of Category A continuing education is required.

APNs must have current national certification in the area of specialty practice and a graduate degree with a major in nursing or related field.

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Oklahoma
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs renewing their licenses need to be able to verify citizenship status. No continuing education is required for license renewal. Renewal period is every two years.

APNs need to have the required amount of prescriptive authority and advanced pharmacology continuing education in the area of specialty practice. ARNP, CNS, and CNM license renewals require 15 contact hours of pharmacology related information earned within the two-year renewal period. ARNP, CNS, and CNM license renewals with prescriptive privileges must submit a new Agreement for Physicians Supervising Prescriptive Authority for each supervising physician. CRNAs need a minimum of eight contact hours of continuing education in advanced pharmacology relating to the administration of anesthesia.

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Oregon
State Board of Nursing

All nursing licenses are renewed every two years. RN and LPN license renewal requirements include 960 practice hours over the past five years and a mandatory seven contact hours of continuing education on pain management.

APN license renewal requirements include the above RN renewal requirements plus:

CRNA renewal requirements include: 850 practice hours within the past two years; continuing education to meet the requirements of the national certifying body; and a mandatory seven contact hours of continuing education on pain management.

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Pennsylvania
State Board of Nursing

For PN (practical nurse) renewal, there are currently no CE or practice hour requirements.

For RN license renewal, the PA State Board of Nursing has recently added a new requirement for CE; a new mandate of 30 hours of continuing education is required to renew RN licensure beginning October 31, 2010. ACLS, PALS, and ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) may be used towards the 30 hours of CE only once during the two-year renewal period. Additional contact hours do not carry-over to the next renewal period.

At the present time, CRNPs must verify 30 hours of CE during the two-year renewal period. If the CRNP has prescriptive privileges then 16 of the 30 CEs must be in pharmacology.

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Rhode Island
Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

RNs and LPNs need a minimum of 10 continuing education hours per renewal cycle, every two years. In addition, CRNPs need 30 hours of continuing education in pharmacology every six years in order to renew prescription privileges.

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South Carolina
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs renew their licenses every two years, and must meet one of the following requirements for continued competency:

Contact hours must be completed within the two-year renewal period. Additional contact hours obtained during this time do not carry over to the next renewal period.

APRN licenses are renewed every two years. Current national certification in the specialty area of the APRN is required.

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South Dakota
Board of Nursing

RNs and LPNs do not have any continuing education requirements for license renewal, but must provide verification of a minimum of 140 hours with a 12-month period (during the previous six years) or a total accumulation of 480 hours within a six-month period of employment/volunteer work in nursing prior to renewal. If this requirement is not met, the RN or LPN will need to take a Board-approved refresher course.

APNs are required to have current national certification in their area of specialty for license renewal. CNPs and CNMs are required to maintain current status on their collaborative agreements with a physician licensed in South Dakota.

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Tennessee
Board of Nursing

RN and LPN license renewal is every two years. Submission of evidence to the Board of Nursing Competence will be requested if inactive in the profession of nursing within the past five years.

APN license renewal occurs every two years, the same time as RN license renewal. The APN license and RN license should be renewed at the same time. The APN should have current national nursing certification in area of specialty practice.

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Texas
Board of Nurse Examiners

RNs and LPNs are required to have 20 contact hours within the two-year license renewal period. Please check the Board’s website for specific one-time continuing education requirements. APNs must have current national certification in their area of specialty.

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Utah
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

RN, LPN, and APRN licensure is on a two-year renewal cycle. One of the following must be met and completed within the two years prior to application for license renewal:

APRNs licensure renewal requirements include:

Vermont
State Board of Nursing

RN and LPN license renewal requirements include one of the following:

APRN licensure renewal requirements include:

Virginia
Board of Nursing

RN and LPN licensure is every two years. There are no continuing education requirements for renewal. CNS license renewal requirements include evidence of national certification in specialty of CNS practice. NP license renewal requirements include:

Washington
State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

RNs and LPNs are not mandated to have any continuing education for license renewal. ARNPs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education in their area of specialty practice every two years. For ARNPs with prescriptive authority, an additional 15 hours of pharmacotherapeutics continuing education related to the ARNPs scope of practice is required.

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West Virginia
Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses

License renewal occurs annually for RNs and LPNs. Requirements include 12 contact hours of continuing education every year or six contact hours (can include two hours of self-study) plus one of the following:

ANP practice prescription renewal includes the following written requirements:

Wisconsin
Department of Regulation and Licensing

There are no requirements for continuing education for RN or LPN license renewal. The license renewal period is every two years.

APNP license renewal requires current national certification and master’s degree in Nursing or related health field if licensed after July 1, 1998. At least 45 hours of clinical pharmacology/therapeutics is required to initially become certified to prescribe, and eight contact hours per year are needed for renewal. License renewal is every two years.

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Wyoming
State Board of Nursing

RN and LPN license renewal period is every two years. Requirements include one of the following: 20 contact hours in the last two years; 500 practice hours within the past two years; 1,600 practice hours within the past five years; or a refresher or re-entry program in the past five years. APRNs need to have a master’s degree in their nursing specialty and current national certification in the specialty area of practice.

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