Do Nurse Educators Need a License?

You need an RN license, and you teach on it. The National League for Nursing offers two voluntary certifications, the CNE and the CNE®cl, which you hold on top of your RN license.

Sources checked October 13, 2026.

Key points

Your RN license is the license. CNE is a voluntary NLN certification, not a state license. Educators practice on their RN license.
Faculty rules vary. Check your state board of nursing for any faculty qualification rules. This guide covers the NLN certifications only.
CNE is for academic nurse educators: $525 non-member, $425 for NLN members (NLN fees).
CNE®cl is for academic clinical nurse educators: $450 non-member, $350 for NLN members.
Both renew every 5 years, by credits or by retaking the exam.

CNE vs. CNE®cl

	CNE	CNE®cl
Who it is for	Nurse Educator (academic)	Academic Clinical Nurse Educator
Exam	Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination	Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) Examination
Exam fee, non-member	$525	$450
Exam fee, NLN member	$425	$350
Renewal fee, non-member	$475	$375
Renewal fee, NLN member	$375	$275
Certification period	5 years	5 years
State license?	No	No

Retakes cost the same as the initial exam. CNE: Exam administered by Meazure Learning. Details at nln.org.

Eligibility

CNE: A valid, unencumbered RN license. Option A: a master's or doctorate in nursing with a nursing-education emphasis, a post-master's certificate in nursing education, or 9 or more graduate credits in education. Option B: a master's or doctorate in nursing in another role plus 2 or more years employed in an academic nursing program within the last 5 years.

CNE®cl: A valid, unencumbered RN license and 3 years of nursing practice. Option A: a graduate degree focused on nursing education. Option B: a BSN or higher plus 2 years teaching in an academic nursing program within the last 5 years, which may include simulation.

Renewal

CNE: Five-year cycle. Renew by documenting continued competence or by passing the exam again; requires a valid license and Code of Ethics compliance. The 2026 handbook sets an October 1 application deadline in the expiration year.

CNE®cl: Five-year certification, renewed by credits or by exam.

Other nursing certifications held on an RN license include the Clinical Nurse Leader. For every role's exam in one place, see the nursing certification exams table. If you teach online, our guide to online nursing degrees and licensure explains how programs are approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do nurse educators need a license?

They need an RN license. CNE is a voluntary NLN certification, not a state license. Educators practice on their RN license. Both NLN certifications list a valid, unencumbered RN license among their eligibility requirements. Check your state board of nursing for any faculty qualification rules; this guide does not cover them.

Is CNE certification required to teach nursing?

The NLN describes the CNE as a voluntary certification, not a license. Whether a particular school or state expects it is a question for that employer or board.

What is the difference between the CNE and the CNE®cl?

The CNE is for academic nurse educators; the CNE®cl is for academic clinical nurse educators. CNE eligibility: A valid, unencumbered RN license. Option A: a master's or doctorate in nursing with a nursing-education emphasis, a post-master's certificate in nursing education, or 9 or more graduate credits in education. Option B: a master's or doctorate in nursing in another role plus 2 or more years employed in an academic nursing program within the last 5 years. CNE®cl eligibility: A valid, unencumbered RN license and 3 years of nursing practice. Option A: a graduate degree focused on nursing education. Option B: a BSN or higher plus 2 years teaching in an academic nursing program within the last 5 years, which may include simulation.

How much do the NLN nurse educator exams cost?

CNE: Initial exam or retake: $425 NLN member, $525 non-member. Renewal by credits or by exam: $375 member, $475 non-member. An eligibility extension is $75. CNE®cl: Initial exam or retake: $350 NLN member, $450 non-member. Renewal: $275 member, $375 non-member. An eligibility extension is $75.

How do you renew a nurse educator certification?

CNE: Five-year cycle. Renew by documenting continued competence or by passing the exam again; requires a valid license and Code of Ethics compliance. The 2026 handbook sets an October 1 application deadline in the expiration year. CNE®cl: Five-year certification, renewed by credits or by exam.

Do Nurse Educators Need a License?

Key points

CNE vs. CNE®cl

Eligibility

Renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Related Resources

Nursing Certification Exams

Clinical Nurse Leader License

NCLEX Guide