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State:
ALABAMA
NPs:
24 contact hours including 6 in pharmacology.
LPNs:
24 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
ALASKA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
ARIZONA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
No CE Required.
State:
ARKANSAS
NPs:
15 contact hours every 2 years. Licensees with prescriptive authority are required an additional 5 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics related to specialty.
LPNs:
15 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
CALIFORNIA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
30 contact hours every two years.
State:
COLORADO
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
No CE Required.
State:
CONNECTICUT
NPs:
50 hours of continuing education related to your area of practice every two years.
LPNs:
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.
State:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
DELAWARE
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
24 contact hours every 2 years, 3 hours of which must be in substance abuse.
State:
FLORIDA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
GEORGIA
NPs:
30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
LPNs:
20 hours every 2 years.
State:
HAWAII
NPs:
30 hours of continuing education, of which at least 8 hours in pharmacology and 22 hours in your practice specialty every 2 years.
LPNs:
Every 2 years, 30 CEs or 9 other options - See State Board website.
State:
IDAHO
NPs:
30 contact hours every two years, 10 of which must be in pharmacology if the nurse has prescriptive authority.
LPNs:
15 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
State:
ILLINOIS
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
20 contact hours every two years.
State:
INDIANA
NPs:
APNs with prescriptive authority must obtain 30 contact hours, 8 of which must be in pharmacology every two years.
LPNs:
No CE Required.
State:
IOWA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
KANSAS
NPs:
30 contact hours every 2 years.
LPNs:
30 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
KENTUCKY
NPs:
14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology.
LPNs:
14 contact hours every year.
State:
LOUISIANA
NPs:
Every year 30 hours at the advanced level and directly related to the full scope 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.
LPNs:
No continuing education required at this time.
State:
MAINE
NPs:
14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology.
LPNs:
14 contact hours every year.
State:
MARYLAND
NPs:
No CE is required, but must maintain national certification.
LPNs:
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.
State:
MASSACHUSETTS
NPs:
15 contact hours every 2 years and maintain current certification through a national certifying organization.
LPNs:
15 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
MICHIGAN
NPs:
25 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours on pain and symptom management and one hour on human trafficking.
LPNs:
25 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours on pain and symptom management and 1 hour on human trafficking.
State:
MINNESOTA
NPs:
24 contact hours every 2 years (for RN licensure) and maintain licensure as an APRN through a national certifying body.
LPNs:
12 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
MISSISSIPPI
NPs:
5 contact hours directly related to prescribing of controlled substances and maintain national certification.
LPNs:
No CE Required. 20 contact hours if out of practice for greater than five 5 years.
State:
MISSOURI
NPs:
CE not required.
LPNs:
CE not required.
State:
MONTANA
NPs:
24 hours of continuing education and 12 hours in the area of pharmacotherapeutics for APRN with prescriptive authority every two years.
LPNs:
24 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
NEBRASKA
NPs:
20 contact hours every two years (to maintain RN licensure). Licensees who prescribe controlled substances shall include at least 3 hours on prescribing opiates.
LPNs:
20 contact hours every two years.
State:
NEVADA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NPs:
60 contact hours including 30 hours in specialty certification and, 30 hours to maintain RN licensure, and 5 hours of Pharmacology.
LPNs:
30 contact hours every 2 years.
State:
NEW JERSEY
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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
State:
NEW MEXICO
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
30 contact hours every two years.
State:
NEW YORK
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
Must complete course work or training in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter.
State:
NORTH CAROLINA
NPs:
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-lecnsure 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.
LPNs:
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-lecnsure 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.
State:
NORTH DAKOTA
NPs:
12 contact hours every two years. APRNs authorized to prescribe are required an additional 15 contact hours in pharmacology.
LPNs:
12 contact hours every two years.
State:
OHIO
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
24 contact hours every two years, 1 of which must be directly related to the laws and rules of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.
State:
OKLAHOMA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
OREGON
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
PENNSYLVANIA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training every two years.*
State:
RHODE ISLAND
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
10 contact hours every 2 years including 2 hours of substance abuse CE.
State:
SOUTH CAROLINA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
SOUTH DAKOTA
NPs:
Required to maintain national certification. No CE Required.
LPNs:
No CE Required.
State:
TENNESSEE
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
TEXAS
NPs:
20 contact hours every 2 years. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete an additional 5 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics every two years.
LPNs:
20 contact hours every 2 years. Several mandatory CE requirements such as Nursing Jurisprudence, Ethics, Geriatric Care, and Forensic Collection.
State:
UTAH
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
One of the following every 2 years: 30 contact hours, OR 200 practice hours and 15 contact hours, OR 400 practice hours.
State:
VERMONT
NPs:
Required to maintain national certification. APRNs who prescribe or dispense controlled substances must complete 2 hours on controlled substances every two years..
LPNs:
No CE Required.
State:
VIRGINIA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
WASHINGTON
NPs:
Every two years - 30 hours of continuing education in specialty area and 15 hours of continuing education in pharmacology for ARNP with prescriptive authority.
LPNs:
8 contact hours every year. There is a one-time requirement of 6 hours of suicide prevention training at initial licensure.
State:
WEST VIRGINIA
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
WISCONSIN
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
CE not required.
State:
WYOMING
NPs:
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.
LPNs:
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.
State:
Guam
NPs:
Completion of 30 contact hours related to nursing or health seminars/activities.
LPNs:
Completion of 30 contact hours related to nursing or health seminars/activities.
State:
PUERTO RICO
NPs:
30 contact hours every renewal period. Three (3) hours of infection control that includes HIV, Hepatitis, and TB is also required.
Only 20 contact hours may be earned through distance learning. The remaining 10 contact hours can not be completed online.
LPNs:
21 contact hours every renewal period. Only 15 contact hours may be earned through distance learning.
Three (3) hours of infection control that includes HIV, Hepatitis, and TB is also required.
ALABAMA
24 contact hours including 6 in pharmacology.
24 contact hours every 2 years.
ALASKA
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.
ARIZONA
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.
ARKANSAS
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.
CALIFORNIA
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.
COLORADO
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.
CONNECTICUT
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.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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.
DELAWARE
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.
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. 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.
GEORGIA
30 contact hours of continuing education every two years.
20 hours every 2 years.
HAWAII
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.
IDAHO
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.
ILLINOIS
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.
INDIANA
APNs with prescriptive authority must obtain 30 contact hours, 8 of which must be in pharmacology every two years.
No CE Required.
IOWA
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.
KANSAS
30 contact hours every 2 years.
30 contact hours every 2 years.
KENTUCKY
14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology.
14 contact hours every year.
LOUISIANA
Every year 30 hours at the advanced level and directly related to the full scope 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.
MAINE
14 contact hours every year including 5 contact hours in pharmacology.
14 contact hours every year.
MARYLAND
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.
MASSACHUSETTS
15 contact hours every 2 years and maintain current certification through a national certifying organization.
15 contact hours every 2 years.
MICHIGAN
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.
MINNESOTA
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.
MISSISSIPPI
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.
MISSOURI
CE not required.
CE not required.
MONTANA
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.
NEBRASKA
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.
NEVADA
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.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
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.
NEW JERSEY
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
NEW MEXICO
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.
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.
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-lecnsure 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-lecnsure 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.
NORTH DAKOTA
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.
OHIO
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.
OKLAHOMA
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.
OREGON
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.
PENNSYLVANIA
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.*
RHODE ISLAND
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.
SOUTH CAROLINA
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.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Required to maintain national certification. No CE Required.
No CE Required.
TENNESSEE
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.
TEXAS
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.
UTAH
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.
VERMONT
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.
VIRGINIA
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.
WASHINGTON
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.
WEST VIRGINIA
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.
WISCONSIN
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.
CE not required.
WYOMING
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.
GUAM
Completion of 30 contact hours related to nursing or health seminars/activities.
Completion of 30 contact hours related to nursing or health seminars/activities.
PUERTO RICO
30 contact hours every renewal period. Three (3) hours of infection control that includes HIV, Hepatitis, and TB is also required
Only 20 contact hours may be earned through distance learning. The remaining 10 contact hours can not be completed online
21 contact hours every renewal period. Only 15 contact hours may be earned through distance learning.
Three (3) hours of infection control that includes HIV, Hepatitis, and TB is also required.
CE = continuing education
CEU = continuing education unit
CME = continuing medical education
CNE = continuing nursing education
Whew! Similar terms, slightly different meanings. CE is the broad term for continuing education for healthcare professionals. A CEU is typically a specified number of CE hours. For instance 10 CE hours = 1 CEU. Read your state's requirements for this. CNE is specific to nursing, but CME can be used by advanced practice nurses if the AANP or ANCC accepts the accrediting body (this is usually found in the fine print of the course).
Maybe and yes! As a nurse, the need for CE is dependent on your state licensure requirements as well as any specialty certifications that you hold. As an advanced practice nurse, the CE that you need is dependent on your state licensure (both RN and NP) AND your national certification renewal requirements (AANP, ANCC, etc).
There are many options for continuing education for nurses. Some employers offer CE for completing educational activities. If your employer does not provide CE, you can utilize online or in-person courses, virtual, on-demand, or in-person conferences, and even certain cruises! The important thing is to pay attention to what your state accepts for CE content and who is an acceptable CE provider according to your state.
MedAlign Innovative Solutions is a certified continuing education provider by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Our CE is accepted by most state boards of nursing as a state-certified CE provider. There are a handful of states that do not accept state-certified CE.
That depends. Some employers provide CE for their employees or offer reimbursement for CE opportunities. There are also free CE courses available. Remember that CE is an investment in your career as a professional!
There are DIY ways to track your CE credits. You can track them yourself or sometimes through your employer. Stay tuned because we are creating an awesome easy-button tool to help nurses track CE - coming soon! If you would like to get early access and help develop this product, email us at [email protected].
Typically CE credits are self-reported upon renewal of licensure or certification. It is important to keep certificates of completion for your records even if your state or certifying body doesn't require submission of these documents.
Disclaimer: Please note that CE requirements are subject to change without notice. Please visit
your state board of nursing’s website for the most current information on license renewal. We strive to keep this page updated, but if you notice a discrepancy, please notify us by emailing [email protected]. Thank you!