Below are the primary license renewal and continuing education requirements for nurses licensed in North Carolina. Please visit the North Carolina Board of Nursing CE page for more information on continuing education requirements.
RNs, LPNs, APRN-CNSs, APRN-CNRAs:
One of the following is required every two years:
- Thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education activities; or
- National certification or re-certification by a national credentialing body recognized by the Board (*APRNs must maintain national certification); or
- Completion of a Board approved refresher course; or
- Completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice; or
- Fifteen (15) contact hours of continuing education activity and completion of a nursing project as principal or co-principal investigator to include a statement of the problem, project objectives, methods, and summary of findings; or
- Fifteen (15) contact hours of continuing education activities and authoring or co-authoring a published nursing-related article, paper, book, or book chapter; or
- Fifteen (15) contact hours of continuing education activities and developing and conducting a nursing education presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours for nurses or other health professionals to include a copy of program brochure or course syllabi, objectives, content, and teaching methods, and date and location of presentation; or
- Fifteen (15) contact hours of continuing education activities and 640 hours of active practice within the previous two (2) years.
APRN-NPs are required to maintain national certification, which includes meeting continuing education requirements of 50 contact hours each year.
- If authorized to prescribe controlled substances – 1 hour required in controlled substances prescribing practices, signs of abuse or misuse of controlled substances, and controlled substances prescribing for chronic pain management.
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Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The North Carolina Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
Additionally, North Carolina is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
Steps to renew your North Carolina nursing license
- Verify the status of your license
Visit the Verification page in order to confirm your license.
- Complete your North Carolina nursing continuing education requirements before your license expires
You can complete your nursing CEUs online, on your schedule, and 100% free with Incredible Health.
- Go to the North Carolina Board of Nursing site to enter your renewal application
Visit the Renewal Information page for specifics. North Carolina is a compact state. If your Primary State of Residency is in another compact state do not apply for licensure in North Carolina unless you are declaring North Carolina as your Primary State of Residency.
[ MORE: Average nurse salary in North Carolina ]
North Carolina Board of Nursing
Phone: (919) 782-3211
Fax: (919) 781-9461
Website: https://www.ncbon.com/
Mailing address:
PO Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129
Physical address:
4516 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
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Our easy online CE courses are ANCC-accredited and 100% free for nurses.
