Continuing education
Nursing CE requirements, state by state
Most states ask registered nurses to complete a set number of continuing education (CE) contact hours before each license renewal, and many name topics you must cover. Find your state’s rule, then track your hours privately in your browser.
CE requirements by state
Hours, renewal cycle and mandatory topics for all 51 boards (21 name required topics; 14 set no CE-hour minimum), each linked to the official board page.
Free CEU tracker
Pick your state, log each course, and see the hours and required topics you still need. No account: it stays in this browser.
Free CE courses
29 free courses from the CDC, universities and others, each with its contact hours stated on the provider’s own page. Filter by your state’s required topics.
Quick answers
- What is a CEU, and what is a contact hour?
- Boards count continuing education in contact hours, usually 50 or 60 minutes of approved learning. One CEU (continuing education unit) is commonly 10 contact hours, so check which unit your board and your certificate use before you add them up.
- Which courses count?
- Courses from providers your board accepts. Many boards accept providers accredited by the ANCC, and some also accept providers approved by another state’s board. Your certificate should name the provider and its approval. Your state’s page links to the board’s own rule.
- Do I send my certificates when I renew?
- Usually not. Most boards ask you to attest that you completed the hours and keep your certificates in case you are audited. Florida is different: approved providers report completions through CE Broker.
Every state at a glance
- Alabama · 24 contact hours every 2 years
- Alaska · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Arizona · No CE-hour minimum (other renewal rules)
- Arkansas · 15 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- California · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- Colorado · No CE-hour minimum
- Connecticut · No CE-hour minimum
- Delaware · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- District of Columbia · 24 contact hours every 2 years
- Florida · 24 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Georgia · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Hawaii · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Idaho · No CE-hour minimum
- Illinois · 20 contact hours every 2 years
- Indiana · No CE-hour minimum
- Iowa · 36 contact hours every 3 years, or another route
- Kansas · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- Kentucky · 14 contact hours every year, or another route
- Louisiana · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Maine · No CE-hour minimum
- Maryland · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Massachusetts · 15 contact hours every 2 years
- Michigan · 25 contact hours every 2 years
- Minnesota · 24 contact hours every 2 years
- Mississippi · No CE-hour minimum
- Missouri · No CE-hour minimum
- Montana · No CE-hour minimum
- Nebraska · 20 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Nevada · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- New Hampshire · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- New Jersey · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- New Mexico · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- New York · No CE-hour minimum
- North Carolina · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- North Dakota · 12 contact hours every 2 years
- Ohio · 24 contact hours every 2 years
- Oklahoma · 24 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Oregon · No CE-hour minimum
- Pennsylvania · 30 contact hours every 2 years
- Rhode Island · 10 contact hours every 2 years
- South Carolina · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- South Dakota · No CE-hour minimum
- Tennessee · No CE-hour minimum (other renewal rules)
- Texas · 20 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Utah · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Vermont · 20 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Virginia · 30 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
- Washington · 8 contact hours every year
- West Virginia · 12 contact hours every 2 years
- Wisconsin · No CE-hour minimum
- Wyoming · 40 contact hours every 2 years, or another route
Checked against each state Board of Nursing (latest check 2026-10-29). Rules change, and advanced-practice, LPN and first-renewal rules can differ, so confirm with your board before you renew. This is general information, not legal advice. RN PocketPal does not award CE credit.