Nurses need to love learning. The field is not static. Standards and practices change, which require nurses to learn new methods. Nurses advance their knowledge in many ways, however, one of the most prominent is by fulfilling continuing education unit requirements.
CEUs are necessary for nurses to remain current on training, proper health care standards and practices.
In all but 12 states, RNs must complete a certain number or type of CEU courses to maintain their nursing license.
However, each state’s board of nursing decides CEU requirements for RNs or LPNs to keep their license.
Most states require nurses to earn credits every two years. Some states mandate specific courses as either one-time or ongoing requirements.
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Our easy online CE courses are ANCC-accredited and 100% free for nurses.
See below to learn more about each state’s continuing education requirements for nurses.
| State | RN CE Requirements | LPN CE Requirements | APRN CE Requirements | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 contact hours from Board-approved CEU provider every two years | 24 contact hours from Board-approved CEU provider every two years | 24 contact hours from Board-approved CEU provider every two years | More details |
| Alaska | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Arizona | None | None | None | |
| Arkansas | 15 contact hours every two years | 15 contact hours every two years | 15 contact hours every two years | More details |
| California | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contaact hours every two years | More details |
| Colorado | None | None | None | |
| Connecticut | None | None | None | |
| Washington DC | 24 contact hours every two years | 18 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Delaware | 30 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Florida | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | 27 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Georgia | 20 contact hours every two years | 20 contact hours every two years | 20 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Hawaii | 30 hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Idaho | 15 hours every two years | 15 hours every two years | 15 hours every two years | |
| Illinois | 20 hours every two years | 20 hours every two years | 80 hours every two years | More details |
| Indiana | None | None | None | |
| Iowa | 36 contact hours every three years | 36 contact hours every three years | No extra requirements if in compliance with national certifying body requirements. | More details |
| Kansas | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Kentucky | 14 contact hours every year | 14 contact hours every year | 14 contact hours every year | More details |
| Louisiana | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years, which includes pharmacology | More details |
| Maine | None | None | 50 contact hours every year | |
| Maryland | None | None | Must maintain national certification | |
| Massachusetts | 15 contact hours | 15 contact hours | 15 contact hours | More details |
| Michigan | 25 hours every two years | 25 hours every two years | 25 hours every two years | More details |
| Minnesota | 24 contact hours every two years | 12 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Mississippi | None | None | None | |
| Missouri | None | None | None | |
| Montana | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Nebraska | 20 contact hours every two years | 20 contact hours every two years | 40 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Nevada | 30 hours of nursing-related CE every two years | 30 hours of nursing-related CE every two years | 45 hours of nursing-related CE every two years | More details |
| New Hampshire | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 60 contact hours every two years | More details |
| New Jersey | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| New Mexico | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 50 contact hours every two years | More details |
| New York | Three contact hours of infection control and two contact hours for child and sexual abuse every four years | Three contact hours of infection control and two contact hours for child and sexual abuse every four years | Three contact hours of infection control and two contact hours for child and sexual abuse every four years | More details |
| North Carolina | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| North Dakota | 12 contact hours every two years | 12 contact hours every two years | 12 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Ohio | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Oklahoma | 24 contact hours every two years | 24 contact hours every two years | 15 contact hour every two years | More details |
| Oregon | One time 7-hour pain management CE | One time 7-hour pain management CE | One time 7-hour pain management CE | More details |
| Pennsylvania | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Rhode Island | 10 contact hours ever two years | 10 contact hours every two years | 10 contact hours every two years | More details |
| South Carolina | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | More details |
| South Dakota | None | None | None | |
| Tennessee | Five contact hours every two years | Five contact hours every two years | Five contact hours every two years | More details |
| Texas | 20 contact hours every two years | 20 contact hours every two years | 20 contact hours every two years | More details |
| Utah | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | Maintain national certification or complete 30 hours of CE if licensed prior to 07/01/1992 | More details |
| Vermont | None | None | None | |
| Virginia | 30 contact hours every two years | 30 contact hours every two years | 40 contact hours every two years or maintaining national certification | More details |
| Washington | 45 contact hours every three years | 45 contact hours every three years | 45 contact hours every three years | More details |
| West Virginia | 12 contact hours every year | 12 contact hours every year | 24 contact hours every year | More details |
| Wisconsin | None | None | 16 contact hours every two years in clinical pharmacology | |
| Wyoming | None | None | None | More details |
Other CEU requirements to consider
The primary purpose of continuing education requirements for nurses is to increase an RN’s knowledge and skills. Nurses must take CEU courses relevant to their practice. Lessons from an accredited college or university may also count toward CEU requirements for RNs pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Some of the most popular continuing education areas for RNs include:
- Laws and guidelines for nursing
- Patient advocacy
- Conflict management
- Pharmacology
Most states clearly define courses that are not acceptable as CEUs for RNs. For example, general education courses such as English Literature, Government, and Mathematics typically do not meet CEU requirements in most states.
Where to find CEUs for RN license renewal
Some CEUs are free, while others are part of a subscription or pay-per-course platform. To count toward total contact hours earned, CEUs must be available through an accredited agency or CEU program.
That said, the instructors and course materials go through a vetting process to determine nursing relevance.
You can find most courses online. Incredible Health provides access to free and online nursing CEUs.
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