Understanding your state’s Continuing Education (CE) requirements is crucial for maintaining your nursing license. Whether you’re a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), each state has its own CE standards, and staying compliant ensures you can continue practicing. In this guide, we’ll walk through the CE requirements for every state, including compact license information, to help you stay on top of your professional obligations.
CE Requirements for RNs and LVNs by State:
Alabama
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
Alaska
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
Arizona
- RNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory
- LVNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory
Arkansas
- RNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years or certification
- LVNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years or certification
California
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
Colorado
- RNs: CE not required, but competency required
- LVNs: CE not required, but competency required
Connecticut
- RNs: CE not required, but mandatory sexual harassment training
- LVNs: CE not required, but mandatory sexual harassment training
Delaware
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
Florida
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years, including mandatory topics (HIV, domestic violence, etc.)
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years, including mandatory topics
Georgia
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Hawaii
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Idaho
- RNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory
- LVNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory
Illinois
- RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Indiana
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Iowa
- RNs: 36 CE hours every 3 years
- LVNs: 36 CE hours every 3 years
Kansas
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
Kentucky
- RNs: 14 CE hours every year
- LVNs: 12 CE hours every year
Louisiana
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirements
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirements
Maine
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Maryland
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Massachusetts
- RNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years
Michigan
- RNs: 25 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Minnesota
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 12 CE hours every 2 years
Mississippi
- RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Missouri
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Montana
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
Nebraska
- RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Nevada
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including bioterrorism CE
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including bioterrorism CE
New Hampshire
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
New Jersey
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
New Mexico
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
New York
- RNs: 3 CE hours every 4 years, mandatory child abuse reporting
- LVNs: 3 CE hours every 4 years, mandatory child abuse reporting
North Carolina
- RNs: CE not required, but competency is required
- LVNs: CE not required, but competency is required
North Dakota
- RNs: 12 CE hours every year
- LVNs: 12 CE hours every year
Ohio
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years, including 1 hour of law and rules
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years, including 1 hour of law and rules
Oklahoma
- RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
Oregon
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Pennsylvania
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including 2 hours of child abuse CE
- LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years
Rhode Island
- RNs: 10 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 10 CE hours every 2 years
South Carolina
- RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years
South Dakota
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Tennessee
- RNs: CE not required, but competency is required
- LVNs: CE not required, but competency is required
Texas
- RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years
Utah
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Vermont
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Virginia
- RNs: CE not required, but competency required
- LVNs: CE not required, but competency required
Washington
- RNs: 45 CE hours every 3 years
- LVNs: 45 CE hours every 3 years
West Virginia
- RNs: 12 CE hours every year
- LVNs: 12 CE hours every year
Wisconsin
- RNs: CE not required
- LVNs: CE not required
Wyoming
- RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirement
- LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirement
Why Are CEUs Important for Nurses?
CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are a critical part of maintaining your nursing license and staying up-to-date with the latest medical developments. They help you:
- Maintain Licensure: Most states require nurses to complete a certain number of CE hours to renew their license.
- Stay Current: Medical practices evolve, and CEUs keep you informed on the latest technologies, treatments, and best practices.
- Advance Your Career: CEUs can help you qualify for promotions or new specialties.
In compact states, CE requirements apply to your primary state of residence, but they may vary if you relocate to another compact state. For more information on compact licenses and specific state requirements, you can check with your state board of nursing.
Compact State Licenses and CEUs
Nurses in compact states benefit from holding one multistate license that allows them to practice in any of the participating states. However, CE requirements still apply based on the nurse’s primary state of residence. This means you only need to meet the CEU requirements of your home state, even if you work in multiple compact states. If you move to a new state, be sure to check their rules for transferring your compact license and for meeting their CEU requirements.
How to Stay on Top of Your CE Requirements
- Track Your CEUs: Keep a log of completed CEU courses and certifications to avoid scrambling during license renewal time.
- Plan Ahead: Spread out your CEU courses over the renewal period, so you aren’t rushing at the last minute.
- Choose Relevant Courses: Pick courses that help you develop skills relevant to your current or desired role.
- Look for Free Options: Many online platforms offer free CEUs, helping you stay compliant without breaking the bank.
By staying informed and up-to-date with your state’s specific CE guidelines, you can keep your nursing license active and continue growing in your career. Whether you’re in a compact state or not, following these requirements ensures you can practice across multiple states and access new professional opportunities. To explore more about CEUs and how they can benefit you, check out our CEUs for Nurses guide.