Healthcare
Registered nurses CE & license renewal requirements
Registered nurses renew with their state Board of Nursing, usually every two years, and most states require continuing education (contact hours / CEUs) to renew.
Measured in contact hours· every verified row is sourced and dated
51/51
Jurisdictions verified
All 51 jurisdictions
| State | Renewal cycle | Contact hours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Alaska | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Arizona | Every 48 months | None required | Verified |
| Arkansas | Every 24 months | 15contact hours | Verified |
| California | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Colorado | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Connecticut | Every 12 months | 2contact hours | Verified |
| Delaware | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| District of Columbia | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Florida | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Georgia | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Hawaii | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Idaho | Every 24 months | Varies | Verified |
| Illinois | Every 24 months | 20contact hours | Verified |
| Indiana | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Iowa | Every 36 months | 36contact hours | Verified |
| Kansas | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Kentucky | Every 12 months | 14contact hours | Verified |
| Louisiana | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Maine | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Maryland | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Massachusetts | Every 24 months | 15contact hours | Verified |
| Michigan | Every 24 months | 25contact hours | Verified |
| Minnesota | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Mississippi | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Missouri | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Montana | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Nebraska | Every 24 months | 20contact hours | Verified |
| Nevada | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| New Hampshire | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| New Jersey | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| New Mexico | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| New York | Every 36 months | Varies | Verified |
| North Carolina | Every 24 months | 15contact hours | Verified |
| North Dakota | Every 24 months | 12contact hours | Verified |
| Ohio | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Oklahoma | Every 24 months | 24contact hours | Verified |
| Oregon | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Pennsylvania | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Rhode Island | Every 24 months | 10contact hours | Verified |
| South Carolina | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| South Dakota | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Tennessee | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Texas | Every 24 months | 20contact hours | Verified |
| Utah | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Vermont | Every 24 months | 20contact hours | Verified |
| Virginia | Every 24 months | 30contact hours | Verified |
| Washington | Every 12 months | 8contact hours | Verified |
| West Virginia | Every 24 months | 12contact hours | Verified |
| Wisconsin | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
| Wyoming | Every 24 months | None required | Verified |
Frequently asked questions
- How often do registered nurses renew their license?
- Registered nurses renew with their state Board of Nursing, usually every two years, and most states require continuing education (contact hours / CEUs) to renew.
- What are contact hours?
- Contact hours are the continuing-education units registered nurses log toward their state's renewal requirement. The exact hours required vary by state — see the table above for each jurisdiction, or use our free renewal calculator.
- Is this page official?
- No — Registered nurses should always confirm their exact requirements with their state board before renewing. Every verified row above links directly to the board and the date we checked it.