Nurse CE Requirements by State

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:

  1. Alabama

    • RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

  2. Alaska

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  3. Arizona

    • RNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory

    • LVNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory

  4. Arkansas

    • RNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years or certification

    • LVNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years or certification

  5. California

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  6. Colorado

    • RNs: CE not required, but competency required

    • LVNs: CE not required, but competency required

  7. Connecticut

    • RNs: CE not required, but mandatory sexual harassment training

    • LVNs: CE not required, but mandatory sexual harassment training

  8. Delaware

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

  9. 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

  10. Georgia

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  11. Hawaii

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  12. Idaho

    • RNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory

    • LVNs: CE not required, but practice hours are mandatory

  13. Illinois

    • RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  14. Indiana

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  15. Iowa

    • RNs: 36 CE hours every 3 years

    • LVNs: 36 CE hours every 3 years

  16. Kansas

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  17. Kentucky

    • RNs: 14 CE hours every year

    • LVNs: 12 CE hours every year

  18. Louisiana

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirements

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years or practice requirements

  19. Maine

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  20. Maryland

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  21. Massachusetts

    • RNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 15 CE hours every 2 years

  22. Michigan

    • RNs: 25 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  23. Minnesota

    • RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 12 CE hours every 2 years

  24. Mississippi

    • RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  25. Missouri

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  26. Montana

    • RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

  27. Nebraska

    • RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  28. Nevada

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including bioterrorism CE

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including bioterrorism CE

  29. New Hampshire

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  30. New Jersey

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  31. New Mexico

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  32. New York

    • RNs: 3 CE hours every 4 years, mandatory child abuse reporting

    • LVNs: 3 CE hours every 4 years, mandatory child abuse reporting

  33. North Carolina

    • RNs: CE not required, but competency is required

    • LVNs: CE not required, but competency is required

  34. North Dakota

    • RNs: 12 CE hours every year

    • LVNs: 12 CE hours every year

  35. 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

  36. Oklahoma

    • RNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

  37. Oregon

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  38. Pennsylvania

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years, including 2 hours of child abuse CE

    • LVNs: 24 CE hours every 2 years

  39. Rhode Island

    • RNs: 10 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 10 CE hours every 2 years

  40. South Carolina

    • RNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 30 CE hours every 2 years

  41. South Dakota

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  42. Tennessee

    • RNs: CE not required, but competency is required

    • LVNs: CE not required, but competency is required

  43. Texas

    • RNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

    • LVNs: 20 CE hours every 2 years

  44. Utah

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  45. Vermont

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  46. Virginia

    • RNs: CE not required, but competency required

    • LVNs: CE not required, but competency required

  47. Washington

    • RNs: 45 CE hours every 3 years

    • LVNs: 45 CE hours every 3 years

  48. West Virginia

    • RNs: 12 CE hours every year

    • LVNs: 12 CE hours every year

  49. Wisconsin

    • RNs: CE not required

    • LVNs: CE not required

  50. 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.