Nurse License Guide

Nursing Continuing Education Requirements

A comprehensive guide to CE requirements for nurses. Learn what your state requires, find approved providers, and stay compliant with your license renewal.

0-40 Hours Required
Renewal Every 2 Years
Varies
By State
~10
States No CE
24-30
Most Common
2 yrs
Typical Cycle

CE Requirements by State

Requirements vary significantly. Some states have no CE requirements, while others mandate specific topics like opioid training or cultural competency.

State Hours Period Required Topics
California 30 hrs 2 years None specified
Texas 20 hrs 2 years 2 hrs jurisprudence
Florida 24 hrs 2 years 2 hrs medical errors, 2 hrs laws/rules, 1 hr HIV, 2 hrs domestic violence, 2 hrs human trafficking
New York 3 hrs 4 years Infection control only
Pennsylvania 30 hrs 2 years 2 hrs child abuse, 2 hrs opioids
Ohio 24 hrs 2 years 1 hr law, 1 hr opioids
Illinois 20 hrs 2 years Sexual harassment prevention
Georgia None N/A No CE required
North Carolina None N/A No CE required
Arizona None N/A No CE required

This is a sample of state requirements. View all 50 states for complete details.

Common Mandatory CE Topics

Many states require specific topics regardless of total CE hours. Plan your education to cover these requirements first.

Opioid/Pain Management

2-4 hrs

Required in: Most states

Domestic Violence

1-2 hrs

Required in: FL, KY, others

Human Trafficking

1-2 hrs

Required in: FL, TX, MI, others

Infection Control

2-4 hrs

Required in: NY, NJ, others

Cultural Competency

1-2 hrs

Required in: CA, NJ, others

Implicit Bias

2 hrs

Required in: CA, MI

Suicide Prevention

1-2 hrs

Required in: WA, others

Finding Approved CE Providers

CE credits must come from providers approved by your state board of nursing or a nationally recognized accrediting body.

National Accreditors

  • ANCC: American Nurses Credentialing Center - accepted in all states
  • State Nursing Associations: ANA affiliates, typically accepted nationwide
  • Specialty Organizations: AACN, AANP, AWHONN, etc.

Popular Online Providers

  • Nurse.com - Subscription and individual courses
  • CEConnection (Lippincott) - Wide variety of topics
  • Elite CME - Affordable packages
  • Wild Iris Medical Education - Specialty courses
Important: Always verify that your CE provider is approved by your state before completing courses. Keep certificates for at least 4-6 years in case of audit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours do nurses need?
Requirements vary by state, ranging from 0 to 40 hours per renewal period (usually 2 years). Some states have no CE requirements, while others require specific topics like opioid training or cultural competency.
Where can I get approved nursing CE credits?
CE credits must come from approved providers such as ANCC, state nursing associations, accredited universities, or organizations approved by your state board. Online courses from providers like Nurse.com, CEConnection, and Elite CME are widely accepted.
Do CE hours transfer between states?
Generally yes, if the CE provider is nationally accredited (like ANCC). However, some states require specific topics that may not transfer. Always verify with your state board.

Track Your CE Credits

Use our CE tracker to log your continuing education hours and stay on top of your renewal requirements.

Open CE Tracker

Related Resources

CE Overview

General information about nursing continuing education.

State Requirements

View CE requirements for your specific state.

Licensing FAQs

Common questions about nursing licensure.