Nurse Practitioners · Rhode Island · Continuing education
Rhode Island Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- APRN10 contact hours every 2 years, including 8 h opioid prescribing & pain management (once); renewal by March 1.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in Rhode Island →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
Rhode Island APRN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 10contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Mar 1
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By March 1
- Accepted credit
- Nursing-related CE presented, accepted or approved by ANCC or its local chapter, recognized professional nursing organizations, board-approved schools of nursing, or other bodies approved by the Board; 1 CEU = 10 hours
- Audits & records
- Keep documentation at least 4 years; subject to random audit. One 6-month extension possible for hardship.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementPractitioners who prescribe Schedule II opioids: 8 h Category 1 CME or equivalent CE (opioid prescribing, pharmacology, adverse events, dependence, tolerance, SUD, alternatives), before renewal of controlled substance registration or within 2 years; DATA 2000 waiver training qualifies | 8 | once |
Alternatives & exemptions. Current national certification (or recertification) as an APRN is verified at every renewal (NPs licensed without prescriptive privileges before June 17, 2013 are exempt from this).
Good to know. The 10-hour CE rule (§3.5) covers all nurse licenses, APRN included; no separate APRN hour count is set. Licenses expire March 1 every other year (odd/even by license number); renewal due before Feb 15.
Source: rules.sos.ri.gov · 216-RICR-40-05-3, §§3.4, 3.5; 216-RICR-20-20-4 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Rhode Island
05 Questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Rhode Island?
10 contact hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurse practitioners in Rhode Island?
Nursing-related CE presented, accepted or approved by ANCC or its local chapter, recognized professional nursing organizations, board-approved schools of nursing, or other bodies approved by the Board; 1 CEU = 10 hours.
Which CE topics are mandatory for nurse practitioners in Rhode Island?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 8 h (once).
How do I verify a nurse practitioner license in Rhode Island?
Use the license lookup of the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education (RI Department of Health) (health.ri.gov/licensing/nurses); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for nurse practitioners in Rhode Island?
Licenses renew by March 1 (2 years cycle).