Nursing Continuing Education Requirements by State
State Requirements for Nursing Continuing Education
Continuous learning is a vital aspect for nurses, as healthcare standards and practices continually evolve. Nurses must adapt by engaging in various educational activities, notably completing continuing education units (CEUs). CEUs are crucial for keeping nurses updated on current healthcare practices and standards.
While some states have no specific continuing education mandates, most registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must complete a set number or specific type of CEUs to maintain their licenses. Each state's nursing board determines the CEU requirements.
In many states, nurses are required to earn credits biennially, with some states stipulating specific courses as either singular or recurrent obligations. Explore the CEU requirements for each state below:
| State | RN CE Requirements | LPN CE Requirements | APRN CE Requirements | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially (6 in Pharmacology) | More details |
| Alaska | 30 hours biennially (various options) | 30 hours biennially (various options) | 30 hours biennially (various options) | More details |
| Arizona | None | None | Maintain national certification; prescribers have additional duties | More details |
| Arkansas | 15 hours biennially (various options) | 15 hours biennially | 15 hours biennially (various options) | More details |
| California | 30 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | More details |
| Colorado | None (employers may require) | None (employers may require) | Maintain national certification (employers may require) | More details |
| Connecticut | None (employers may require) | None (employers may require) | 50 hours biennially | More details |
| Washington DC | 24 hours biennially | 18 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially | More details |
| Delaware | 30 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | More details |
| Florida | 24 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially | 24 hours biennially | More details |
| Georgia | 30 hours biennially (other options) | 20 hours biennially (other options) | 30 hours biennially (other options) | More details |
| Hawaii | 30 hours biennially (other options) | 30 hours biennially (other options) | 30 hours biennially (other options) | More details |
| Idaho | 15 hours biennially | 15 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | More details |
| Illinois | 20 hours biennially | 20 hours biennially | 50 hours biennially | More details |
| Indiana | None (employers may require) | None (employers may require) | 30 hours biennially | More details |
| Iowa | 36 hours triennially | 36 hours triennially | Maintain national certification | More details |
| Kansas | 30 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | 30 hours biennially | More details |
| Kentucky | 14 hours annually | 14 hours annually | 14 hours annually (or board certification), plus 5 in pharmacology | More details |
| Louisiana | 30 hours biennially (other options) | Varies | 30 hours annually (additional requirements) | More details |
Additional CEU Considerations
The primary goal of continuing education for nurses is to enhance their knowledge and skills. Nurses should choose CEU courses relevant to their field. Coursework from accredited institutions might also contribute toward CEU requirements when pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Popular CEU topics for RNs include:
- Nursing laws and guidelines
- Patient advocacy
- Conflict management
- Pharmacology
Many states specify which courses do not qualify as CEUs for RNs. General education subjects like English Literature, Government, and Mathematics are often not accepted.
Finding CEUs for RN License Renewal
Some CEUs are available for free, while others require payment or a subscription. To count towards total contact hours, CEUs must be from a recognized provider or CEU program. Course educators and materials are reviewed for relevance to nursing.
Many courses can be found online. GoodWork (https://goodwork.world/) offers free and online nursing CEUs that may help meet the educational requirements for various states.