Nebraska Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Are you a nurse working in Nebraska? Nursing license renewal is an essential step in keeping your credentials active and your skills current. The renewal process is fairly straightforward — submit your application and complete the required continuing education — but Nebraska has a few unique rules you’ll want to know. This article breaks down the renewal process in detail.

Working as a nurse in Nebraska has a few unique benefits, including access to nationally-recognized healthcare facilities, lower cost of living compared to many states, and amazing outdoors to enjoy in your off work hours.

Nebraska Nursing Facts

Getting your information ready in advance makes navigating the Nebraska nursing license renewal process much easier. Here’s what you need to know before you start:

Is Nebraska part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes, you can practice in Nebraska with a compact nursing license. Check out our article on the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act for more information.

How much do nurses in Nebraska earn?

• The average CNA salary in Nebraska is $40,830 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Nebraska is $60,240 per year.
• The average RN salary in Nebraska is $82,890 per year.
• The average NP salary in Nebraska is $127,950 per year.

How can I contact the Nebraska Board of Nursing?

Email the Department of Health and Human Services: DHHS.NursingOffice@nebraska.gov

Nebraska Board of Nursing Phone Number: 402-471-4376

Website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Nurse-Licensing.aspx

Nebraska Board of Nursing Physical Address:

Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South, 3rd floor
14th & M Streets
Lincoln, NE 68508

Nebraska Board of Nursing Mailing Address:

Licensure Unit
Attn: Nursing
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026

State of Nebraska Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Follow the steps below to meet the Nebraska nursing license renewal requirements for LPNs, RNs, or APRNs. If you are an out-of-state nurse and are changing your primary residence to Nebraska, you’ll need to submit an application for a license by endorsement in Nebraska.

CNAs in Nebraska don’t go through a renewal process. Instead, your CNA registry status will remain active as long as you have worked in a CNA role in the past 24 months. If your certification has lapsed (you haven’t worked for 24 months), you’ll need to retake both written and skills exams.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

Nebraska nursing licenses need renewing every two years. You can start the Nebraska nursing license renewal online as soon as your renewal period opens. Not sure when that is? Log in to your account on the DHHS license renewal page, or check the expiration dates below for your credentials:

• LPN: Your license expires on October 31 of odd-numbered years.
• RN: Your license expires on October 31 of even-numbered years.
• APRN: Your license expires on October 31 of even-numbered years. You’ll also need to maintain national certification to continue practicing and maintain a current RN license.

Once your renewal opens, it’s best to file as soon as possible. If you miss your renewal deadline, you cannot practice until it is reinstated, and practicing with an expired license may cause you to owe a fee of $10 per day up to $1,000.

Step 2: Complete Your Continuing Education Requirements

Nebraska has the same continuing education requirements for LPNs and RNs. In order to renew, you’ll need to meet one of the requirements or waivers below:

• Completed 500 hours of nursing practice over the past 5 years, along with 20 contact hours via home study or online courses in the past 2 years.
• Graduated from a nursing program between 2 and 5 years ago, along with 20 contact hours via home study or online courses within the past 2 years.
• Graduated from a nursing program in the past 2 years.
• Completed an approved refresher course in the past 5 years.
• Obtained or maintained national certification in a nursing specialty.
• Developed and maintained a portfolio including current continuing competency goals and evidence of professional activities to meet those goals.

If you’re continuing your nursing education in Nebraska, you can use one semester hour as an equivalent to 15 contact hours. Nebraska offers continuing education waivers for specific circumstances:

• If you received your RN or LPN license in the past 2 years
• If you’ve practiced at least 500 hours of nursing in the past 5 years, and you moved to a military assignment, lived outside the U.S., or served as a missionary in a foreign country where continuing education was unavailable
• If you’ve served full-time military duty for more than 30 consecutive days in the past 2 years. In this case, your fees will also be waived. You must submit copies of your active service papers to qualify.

Tip: Need continuing education hours for your NE nursing license renewal? You can take courses made by industry leaders at IntelyEdu. Its ANCC-accredited courses and certification programs are designed to advance your knowledge and skill set.

Step 3: File Your Online Application

Once you’ve completed your continuing competency requirements, you’re ready to renew your nursing license in Nebraska. The entire process is done online through the Nebraska DHHS Nurse Portal. Simply log in, complete the renewal forms, and submit your payment. The license renewal fees are as follows:

• LPN: $123
• RN: $123
• APRN: $68 (in addition to RN fees)

Once you file your renewal, it can take up to a week for it to be processed. Check your account on the Department of Health and Human Services license search page to track its progress. Nebraska no longer issues wallet-card licenses, but if you want to print a wallet-sized card, you can look up your license and print one after your renewal is approved.

Once your NE nurse license is in good standing, consider looking for a new nursing opportunity:

• CNA jobs in Nebraska
• LPN jobs in Nebraska
• RN jobs in Nebraska
• NP jobs in Nebraska

Great Areas in Nebraska for Nursing Jobs

Congratulations on finishing your nursing license renewal! Now it’s time to check out the state’s most populous areas for nursing jobs:

• Omaha
• Lincoln
• Bellevue
• Grand Island
• Kearney

These Employers Are Hiring Nurses in Nebraska

Prefer to search by employer? Check out the latest nursing openings at these Nebraska hospitals, medical centers, and long-term care facilities:

• Boys Town National Research Hospital
• Children’s Nebraska
• CHI Health
• Dignity St. Mary’s Medical Center
• Emerald Nursing and Rehab Omaha
• OrthoNebraska
• Nebraska Medicine
• Nebraska Methodist Health System
• Regional West
• The Palm at Regency Square

Looking beyond bed-side care? If you have a compact license, explore telehealth roles (you can apply in any NLC state as long as the employer allows). Additionally, you can also explore roles in education, research, and medical coding — or pick up side hustles like in-home infusion nursing, private duty care, and health coaching.

Search More Nebraska Nursing Jobs

Now that you’ve finished your Nebraska nursing license renewal, why not check out career advancement opportunities in your area? Browse the latest nursing jobs in Nebraska on IntelyCare’s job board and discover the role that fits your needs and wants.