State Guide: Continuing Education Requirements for Nurses
As a nursing professional, you’re learning all the time, whether it’s on the job, catching up with the latest healthcare developments in your downtime, or pursuing your continuing education requirements. For nurses, that last part can mean a number of things — it all depends on which state you’re licensed in.
Typically, as an RN or LPN, you’ll need to accrue some kind of continuing education within a two-year period in order to maintain your license and be considered for nursing jobs. Some states simply require a set amount of contact hours in order for you to renew your nursing license, while other states have mandated courses that you must complete. For example, your state may have you complete training on HIV/AIDS, child abuse recognition and reporting, and/or pain management.
If you’re an RN or LPN in the following states, you do not have CE requirements as part of your license renewal process:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Maine
- Missouri
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
What Are NCPD Nursing Hours?
You may have seen continuing education referred to as CEs or CEUs in the past. However, the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) — the leading accrediting body for continuing education requirements for nurses — updated the terminology by which we talk about continuing education. In 2019, the switch was made from continuing nursing education (CNE) to nursing continuing professional development (NCPD). NCPD is the term preferred by the ANCC. One contact hour of CE/CNE credit is the same as one contact hour of NCPD.
How to Find ANCC Accredited Providers
Before you commit to a class, nurse conference, or workshop that claims you will earn NCPD nursing contact hours by attending, you want to be certain that your time is, in fact, going to count. The ANCC makes it simple to verify a provider. Visit their site and search their database of accredited organizations and programs. You can search by state or internationally.
If you’re looking for a trusted source, IntelyEdu offers a variety of continuing education courses for nursing professionals. Check out what’s currently available today. And if time is of the essence, explore our guide to last-minute CEUs for nurses.
Continuing Education Requirements for Nurses in the U.S.
The following table is a quick reference guide for RNs and LPNs/LVNs. For the most up-to-date information about continuing education requirements for nurses in your state, it’s always best to do your due diligence and check with your state board of nursing.
Alabama
RN/LPN: 24 contact hours every 2 years
Learn more about the Alabama nursing license renewal process.
Alaska
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 2 of 3 are required:
- 30 contact hours
- 30 hours professional nursing activities
- 320 hours of nursing employment
Learn more about the Alaska nursing license renewal requirements.
Arizona
RN/LPN: No requirements. To be eligible for renewal, LPNs and RNs must complete one of the following requirements:
- Practiced as a nurse for 960 hours or more in the past 5 years OR
- Graduated from a nursing program and obtained a degree within the past 5 years OR
- Completed an Arizona Board approved refresher course in the past 5 years OR
- Obtained an advanced nursing degree in the past 5 years (i.e. LPN to RN, RN to BSN, masters, or doctorate).
Learn more about the Arizona nursing license renewal process here.
Arkansas
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, complete one of the following:
- 15 practice-focused contact hours from a national or state continuing education approval body recognized by ASBN
- Maintenance of certification or recertification by a national certifying body recognized by ASBN
- Completion of an academic course in nursing or a related field
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Learn more about renewing a nursing license in Arkansas.
California
RN/LVN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours.
California Board of Registered Nursing
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
Learn more about California nursing license renewal processes.
Colorado
RN/LPN: No requirements.
Learn more about the Colorado nursing license renewal steps.
Connecticut
RN/LPN: Every 6 years, 2 contact hours are required covering the following material:
- Screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief
- Suicide prevention training
1 contact hour = at least 50 minutes of instruction.
Board of Examiners for Nursing
Learn more about the CT nursing license renewal steps.
Delaware
RN: Every 2 years during odd-numbered years: 30 contact hours, 3 of which must be in substance abuse.
LPN: Every 2 years during even-numbered years: 24 contact hours, 3 of which must be in substance abuse.
Learn more about the Delaware nursing license renewal process.
District of Columbia
RN: Every 2 years, 24 contact hours (including 1 hour in COVID vaccinations)
LPN: Every 2 years, 18 contact hours
Within this requirement, both RNs and LPNs must complete:
- 2 hours in LGBTQ or Cultural Awareness
- 3 hours in HIV/AIDS or Director’s Topics
Learn more about the DC nursing license renewal process.
Florida
RN/LPN:
- 16 general hours
- 2 hours on the prevention of medical errors
- 2 hours on Florida laws and rules
- 2 hours on recognizing impairment in the workplace
- 2 hours in human trafficking
- 2 hours on domestic violence
- 1 hour on HIV/AIDS
Learn more about how to renew a nursing license in Florida.
Georgia
RN: Every 2 years, RNs have five options to choose from to satisfy the continuing competency requirements. Among your choices are 30 hours of contact hours. Learn more about your options in Georgia.
LPN: Every 2 years, 20 contact hours OR completion of an accredited academic program of study in registered professional nursing, as recognized by the board. Learn more about LPN requirements in GA.
Learn more about Georgia nursing license renewal steps.
Hawaii
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, complete 1 of 9 learning activity options. These options include:
- 30 contact hours
- Completion of a board-approved refresher course
- National certification of recertification related to the nurse’s practice role
Learn more options available at the Hawaii Board of Nursing.
Check out our guide to Hawaii nursing license renewals.
Idaho
RN/LPN: No continuing education requirements in Idaho.
Learn about more from the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Illinois
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 20 contact hours, including cultural competency (every 6 years), abused and neglected child reporting act (for those working with children, every 6 years), an Alzheimer’s and dementia course, implicit bias training, and sexual harassment prevention.
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
Learn more about how to renew a nursing license in Illinois.
Indiana
RN/LPN: No continuing education requirements.
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Learn more about the Indiana nursing license renewal steps.
Iowa
RN/LPN: Every 3 years, 36 contact hours.
Learn more about how to renew a nursing license in Iowa.
Kansas
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours.
Learn more about Kansas nursing license renewal.
Kentucky
RN/LPN: Every year, 14 contact hours (or complete other renewal options)
Note: All nurses must complete one-time mandatory continuing education in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, suicide prevention, pediatric abusive head trauma, domestic violence, and LPN infusion therapy (for LPNs who want to do infusion therapy).
Learn more about the Kentucky nursing license renewal process.
Louisiana
RN: Every 2 years, either 30 contact hours OR a minimum of 900 practice hours.
LPN: No continuing education requirements.
Learn more about nursing license renewals in Louisiana.
Maine
RN/LPN: No continuing education requirements.
Learn more about nursing license renewals in Maine.
Maryland
RN/LPN: For license renewal, complete one of the following:
- 30 contact hours within in the past 2 years
- Board-approved nursing education program within the past 5 years
- 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the past 5 years
Learn more about the Maryland nursing license renewal process.
Massachusetts
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 15 contact hours.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Learn more about the Massachusetts nursing license renewal process.
Michigan
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 25 contact hours, including 2 hours on pain and pain symptom management.
Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Learn more about the Michigan nursing license renewal steps.
Minnesota
RN: Every 2 years, 24 contact hours.
LPN: Every 2 years, 12 contact hours.
Learn more about the Minnesota nursing license renewal steps.
Mississippi
RN/LPN: Nurses who have been out of practice for more than 5 years must complete 20 contact hours earned within the 2 years immediately before applying for renewal.
Learn more about the Mississippi nursing license renewal process.
Missouri
RN/LPN: No continuing education required.
Learn more about the Missouri nursing license renewal process.
Montana
RN/LPN: No continuing education required.
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Learn more about the Montana nursing license renewal process.
Nebraska
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 20 contact hours from an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) approved provider.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Learn more about the Nebraska nursing license renewal steps.
Nevada
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours with designated education subjects including a 4-hour cultural competency course every renewal cycle.
Learn more about the Nevada nursing license renewal process.
New Hampshire
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours.
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
Learn more about renewing a New Hampshire nursing license.
New Jersey
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours from an ANCC-approved provider.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
Learn more about the New Jersey nursing license renewal process.
New Mexico
RN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours or current national certification (such as CCRN, CPN, CNOR) to cover continuing education requirements.
LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours.
To be acceptable for license renewal, education units (for either license type) must be approved by a recognized accrediting body, such as national or state recognized nursing organizations or a state board of nursing.
Check out our guide to the New Mexico nursing license renewal process.
New York
RN/LPN: Complete a one-time child abuse reporting course (for those who graduated from nursing school prior to 1990) and NYSED-approved infection control coursework every 4 years or qualify for an exemption.
New York State Education Department
Learn more about the New York nursing license renewal process.
North Carolina
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, you have a range of ways to satisfy your requirements. Among the options:
- 15 contact hours and 640 hours of active practice
- 30 contact hours of continuing education
- National certification (or re-certification) by a board-recognized national credentialing body
- Board-approved refresher course
North Carolina Board of Nursing
Learn more about the NC nursing license renewal process.
North Dakota
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 12 contact hours.
Learn more about the ND nursing license renewal process.
Ohio
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 24 contact hours that includes at least 1 contact hour per renewal cycle of Category A continuing education for each renewal.
Learn more about the Ohio nursing license renewal steps.
Oklahoma
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, complete one (or more) of the following
- Active employment with a minimum of 520 verified work hours
- 24 contact hours of continuing education through an accredited provider
- Current certification in a nursing specialty area
- Board-approved refresher course
- 6 academic semester credit hours of nursing coursework at the licensee’s current level of licensure or higher.
Learn more about the Oklahoma nursing license renewal process.
Oregon
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, complete 20 hours. Additional requirements include:
- Complete 2 hours of cultural competency and 1 hour of pain management education from a board-approved educator every other renewal cycle (or every 3 years).
Learn more from the Oregon State Board of Nursing regulations.
Check out our guide to the Oregon nursing license renewal process.
Pennsylvania
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 30 contact hours, including 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure and 2 hours per all following renewal cycles.
Pennsylvania Department of State
Learn more about the PA nursing license renewal process.
Rhode Island
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, 10 continuing education hours, 2 of which must be about substance abuse.
Rhode Island Department of Health
Learn more about the RI nursing license renewal steps.
South Carolina
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, you must complete one of the following:
- 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education
- Renew or apply for board-recognized certification
- Academic nursing program recognized by the board
- Verification of competency and practice hours as evidenced by employer certification
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Learn more about the South Carolina nursing license renewal process.
South Dakota
RN/LPN: No continuing education required. Minimum practice requirements include at least 140 hours in any 12-month period, or an accumulated total of at least 480 hours within the preceding 6 years.
Tennessee
RNs/LPNs: Every 2 years, practicing professionals must meet 2 requirements based on a list of possible competency requirement options. Items on the list include:
- Completion of 10 contact hours per renewal period
- Completion of a board-approved refresher program
- 3 hours of credits from an approved nursing school over the past 5 years
See the Tennessee Board of Nursing for other continuing competency options.
Learn more about Tennessee nursing license renewal requirements.
Texas
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, you must complete one of the following:
- 20 contact hours in your area of practice
- Demonstrate the achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in your area of practice and meet applicable targeted continuing education requirements.
Read more about the Texas nursing license renewal process.
Utah
RN/LPN: Every two years, you must complete one of the following:
- Licensed practice of at least 400 hours
- At least 200 hours with 15 hours of approved continuing education
- 30 hours of approved continuing education
AND
- Complete an approved online suicide prevention training.
Utah Division of Professional Licensing
Learn more about renewing a Utah nursing license.
Vermont
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, practicing professionals can choose from several options, including completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Check out our guide to Vermont nursing license renewals.
Virginia
RN/LPN: You must complete at least one of the following:
- Current specialty certification by a national certifying organization
- Minimum of 3 credit hours of post-licensure academic education relevant to nursing practice, offered by a regionally accredited college or university
- A board-approved refresher course in nursing
- Completion of nursing-related, evidence-based practice project or research study
- Completion of publication as the author or co-author during a renewal cycle
- Teaching or developing a nursing-related course resulting in no less than 3 semester hours of college credit, a 15-week course, or specialty certification
- Teaching or developing nursing-related continuing education courses for up to 30 contact hours
- 15 contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to the practice of nursing and 640 hours of active practice as a nurse OR
- 30 contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to the practice of nursing
Learn more about the Virginia nursing license renewal process, and visit the Virginia Board of Nursing for more information.
Washington
RN/LPN:
- 8 continuing education hours, including 2 hours of health equity
- 96 practice hours due every year
- One-time, 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management
- Complete e-Notify registration and survey online at Nursys
Washington State Board of Nursing
Learn more about the Washington State nursing license renewal process.
West Virginia
RN: Every 2 years, 12 hours of continuing education. For the first renewal, complete 3 hours on safe prescribing and drug diversion within 1 year of receiving your license.
For more information on RN requirements, visit the West Virginia Board of Nursing.
LPN: Every 2 years, 400 hours of LPN practice and 24 contact hours of continuing education (must include 2 hours of veterans health material and 3 hours of substance abuse/drug diversion material).
For more information, see the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses.
Learn more about WV nursing license renewal steps.
Wisconsin
RN/LPN: No continuing education requirements.
State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Learn more about the Wisconsin nursing license renewal process.
Wyoming
RN/LPN: Every 2 years, you must complete one of the following:
- 400 hours of active nursing practice
- Pass the NCLEX
- A Board-approved refresher course or the equivalent
- An education program for a degree higher than the basic nursing education
- 40 hours of continuing education
Learn more about how to renew your nursing license in Wyoming.
Complete Your Requirements With IntelyCare
Need help completing mandated working hours as part of the continuing education requirements for nurses in your state? Learn how IntelyCare can keep you up to date on the latest nursing opportunities and help you find nursing jobs in your areas of interest.