Nursing CEUs & License Renewal

Stay current with continuing education requirements, license renewal processes, and the mandatory certifications for nursing practice. Requirements vary by state and specialty — always verify the current rules with your state board of nursing before renewal.

License renewal requirements by state

Continuing education requirements differ significantly from state to state. The examples below are for reference; confirm the current numbers with your state board.

Higher-requirement states

State	Requirement
California	30 CEUs every 2 years
Florida	24 CEUs every 2 years, plus 2 hours domestic violence
Texas	20 CEUs every 2 years
New York	24 CEUs every 3 years

Moderate-requirement states

State	Requirement
Illinois	20 CEUs every 2 years
Pennsylvania	30 hours every 2 years
Ohio	24 CEUs every 2 years
Michigan	25 hours every 2 years

States without a general CEU requirement

Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin do not mandate general CEUs for RN renewal.

Accredited CEU providers

A range of accredited providers offer courses to meet state requirements:

• Medscape Education — free CEUs, ANCC accredited, wide variety of topics
• NursingCE.com — affordable courses, state-specific requirements, mobile-friendly
• American Mobile Healthcare — free CEUs for travelers, specialty topics
• Wild Iris Medical Education — comprehensive courses, affordable pricing
• Elite Learning — state-specific courses, bulk pricing, employer partnerships

CEU completion tips

• Track early: don’t wait until the renewal deadline
• Verify state requirements: confirm specific state mandates before enrolling
• Use free options first: employer-provided or free courses can cover much of your requirement
• Choose relevant topics: favor courses related to your practice area
• Store certificates: keep both digital and physical copies
• Watch expiration dates: some CEUs have time limits
• Document thoroughly: maintain detailed completion records

Essential certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Provider: American Heart Association (AHA)
• Duration: 2 years
• Requirements: mandatory for most nursing positions
• Cost: approximately $45–$75
• Format: blended learning (online plus hands-on) or instructor-led

Core content:

• Adult, child, and infant CPR
• AED use and safety
• Choking relief techniques
• Team-based resuscitation

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

• Provider: AHA (or AAOS)
• Duration: 2 years
• Prerequisites: current BLS certification
• Cost: approximately $165–$250
• Required for: ICU, ER, PACU, OR, and telemetry units

Core content:

• Advanced airway management
• Pharmacology and IV access
• ECG interpretation
• Post-cardiac arrest care

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

• Provider: American Heart Association
• Duration: 2 years
• Prerequisites: current BLS certification
• Cost: approximately $165–$250
• Required for: pediatric units, PICU, NICU, and emergency departments

Core content:

• Pediatric assessment and recognition
• Respiratory and shock management
• Cardiac arrest algorithms
• Team dynamics and communication

Certification renewal

Options for renewing your certifications:

• AHA online renewal — HeartCode ACLS, BLS, and PALS online portions with a skills check
• Local training centers — hospital education departments, community colleges, fire departments
• Employer-sponsored classes — many hospitals provide on-site certification
• Mobile training units — on-site training at healthcare facilities

Renewal timeline

• 6 months before: check expiration dates and plan your renewal schedule
• 3 months before: register for classes and complete online portions
• 1 month before: complete skills verification and submit documentation
• If expired: you may need to repeat the full initial course rather than a renewal
• Grace period: some employers allow a 30-day grace period

Specialty training requirements

Critical care training

• AACN essentials: critical care orientation programs
• Duration: typically 6–12 weeks
• Content: hemodynamics, ventilator management, pharmacology

Emergency department training

• ENA requirements: trauma, triage, and emergency protocols
• Additional: TNCC (trauma) and ENPC (pediatric emergency)
• Duration: 8–16 weeks orientation

Operating room training

• AORN standards: perioperative nursing orientation
• Duration: typically 6–12 months
• Content: sterile technique, instrumentation, patient positioning

Employer requirements

Beyond licensure, most employers require annual training:

• Annual competencies: skills validation and testing
• Safety training: fire safety, infection control, workplace violence
• HIPAA training: annual privacy and security education
• Equipment training: new technology and device education
• Quality initiatives: patient safety and quality improvement
• Cultural competency: diversity and inclusion training

Funding your education

• Employer reimbursement — many hospitals pay for required certifications and CEUs
• Professional development funds — annual stipends for continuing education
• Tax deductions — educational expenses may be tax-deductible
• Professional organizations — member discounts on courses and certifications

Mobile learning & apps

CEU mobile apps

• Medscape CME: free medical education on mobile
• NursingCE Mobile: state-approved courses on your phone
• ANCC Learn: professional development courses
• Sigma Learning: evidence-based nursing education

Certification prep apps

• ACLS Mastery: practice tests and algorithms
• BLS Simulator: CPR practice and timing
• PALS Prep: pediatric emergency scenarios
• Code Team Trainer: resuscitation practice

Learning management

• CE Broker: track and manage continuing education
• Learning Express: certificate storage and tracking
• ProTrainings: online certification courses
• HealthStream: healthcare education platform

Professional resources