- Share Story
-
-
-
As a dedicated registered nurse (RN), you’re not just a caregiver. You’re also a lifelong learner committed to the highest standards of professional excellence. Because the nursing field isn’t static, RNs must continue learning throughout their careers to keep their knowledge and skills current with evolving practice standards. Continuing education (CE) is the primary way RNs advance their knowledge and skills, but it’s also a requirement for continued RN licensure in most states. Explore the intricacies of continuing education requirements for RN licensure renewal state by state in this comprehensive guide.
What Is Continuing Education?
Continuing education, sometimes called continuing nursing education (CNE), goes beyond the basics learned in nursing school and strengthens existing clinical skills. CE is counted in contact hours, with 60 minutes equaling 1 contact hour. The number of hours and topics vary by state.
A nursing organization such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, must accredit CE courses. Approved providers offer CE courses, but each state’s Board of Nursing (BON) decides which courses count toward their CE requirements. Courses vary in cost, but many are available free of charge.
State BONs that require continuing education usually tie it to their RN licensure renewal process, so RNs must complete a set number of contact hours during each renewal period. However, a handful of states don’t require any CE. Besides state licensure, RNs may seek CE to satisfy requirements for maintaining employment or specialty certifications.
RELATED: 10 Tips for Finding and Finishing CEUs on Time
How the Nurse Licensure Compact Impacts CE
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to move more freely between states. While the NLC addresses licensure requirements and education standards, it doesn’t include any mandates on CE. Each state currently sets its own continuing education requirements for renewing an RN license.
Fortunately, if your primary state of residence (PSOR) is a Compact state and you qualify for a multistate license, you only must complete the CE requirements in your PSOR and not every state in which you practice. If your PSOR isn’t part of the Compact or you don’t qualify for a multistate license, you must hold multiple single-state licenses for each state where you physically practice or provide telehealth.
You can hold numerous single-state licenses simultaneously, but you must complete each state’s required CE for the renewal of each license. However, your CE credits may qualify for use in multiple states.
To help you keep track of each state’s CE requirements as of November 2023, Vivian created the following table to provide a quick rundown for you. We’ve also included links to each state’s Board of Nursing (BON) to help you quickly find more information. As the table demonstrates, some states have rigorous requirements, while others provide little to no direction regarding professional development.
| State | CE Requirements for Licensure Renewal |
| Alabama | First renewal:
Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Alaska | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Arizona | Every 4-year renewal:
|
| Arkansas | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| California | Within 2 years of initial licensure:
Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Colorado | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Connecticut | Annual renewal/CE required every 6 years:
|
| Delaware | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| District of Columbia | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Florida | First renewal:
Every 2-year renewal:
Every other 2-year renewal:
Each third renewal period:
|
| Georgia | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Hawaii | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Idaho | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Illinois | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Indiana | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Iowa | Every three-year renewal:
|
| Kansas | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Kentucky | Every annual renewal:
One-time requirements for RNs educated outside of Kentucky (within 3 years of licensure):
One-time requirement for RNs educated in Kentucky who graduated before August 2023 (within 3 years of initial licensure):
|
| Louisiana | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Maine | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Maryland | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Massachusetts | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Michigan | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Minnesota | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Mississippi | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Missouri | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Montana | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Nebraska | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Nevada | Initial renewal:
Every 2-year renewal:
|
| New Hampshire | Every two-year renewal:
|
| New Jersey | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| New Mexico | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| New York | Triennial renewal/Mandatory training required every 4 years:
One-time requirement:
|
| North Carolina | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| North Dakota | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Ohio | Every 2- year renewal:
|
| Oklahoma | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Oregon | Every 2-year renewal:
RNs with less than 400 practice hours in the previous 2 years must have one of the following:
RNs with less than 960 practice hours in the previous 5 years must apply for practice reentry |
| Pennsylvania | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Rhode Island | Every 2-year renewal:
One-time requirement:
|
| South Carolina | Every 2- year renewal:
|
| South Dakota | Every two-year renewal:
|
| Tennessee | Every 2-year renewal:
Must complete any combination of 2 requirements from the following list:
|
| Texas | Every 2- year renewal:
Every third renewal (6 years):
One-time requirement:
|
| Utah | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Vermont | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Virginia | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Washington | Every annual renewal:
One-time requirement:
|
| West Virginia | Every 2-year renewal:
One-time requirement:
|
| Wisconsin | Every 2-year renewal:
|
| Wyoming | Every 2-year renewal:
|
5 Reasons Continuing Education Is Important
RNs reap many benefits as they expand their knowledge and skills through continuing education. Five reasons pursuing CE is essential include:
- License Renewal: CE is a requirement in states where BONs or licensing authorities require RNs to complete a certain number of CE hours as part of their license renewal process. Neglecting to meet the required CE hours could result in losing your nursing license, which would be detrimental to your nursing career.
- Quality Patient Care: Pursuing CE allows RNs to stay current on the latest evidence-based practices, ensuring they provide the highest quality care to their patients. High-quality care improves patient outcomes and enhances trust in healthcare providers.
- Legal and Ethical Obligation: In nursing, lives are at stake, so adhering to the latest standards of care isn’t a choice but a moral and legal responsibility. By staying informed through continuing education, RNs uphold their profession’s ethical and legal standards.
- Professional Growth: CE is instrumental in supporting professional growth by enabling RNs to diversify their skills, explore new specialties and stay updated on evolving healthcare technologies. Whether you’re a new nurse or a seasoned professional, continuous learning is key to staying competitive and relevant in the nursing field.
- Career Advancement: Going hand-in-hand with professional growth, pursuing CE can also open doors to new career opportunities that potentially cause a bump in nursing salary. Many healthcare facilities and employers prefer to hire or promote nurses who demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and professional development.
Continuing education is a fundamental component of an RN’s professional journey. Embracing the pursuit of CE not only benefits nurses individually but also elevates the nursing profession as a whole. Because CE requirements can change over time, always check with the appropriate BON to confirm current requirements well before it’s time to renew your license(s).
Pursue your nursing journey on Vivian Health, where you’ll find 1,000s of staff nursing jobs and travel RN opportunities on one platform.
