Nurse Practitioners · Texas · Continuing education
Texas Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- APRN20 contact hours every 2 years, including 4 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 5 h pharmacology (NP/APRN), 3 h controlled substances prescribing, 2 h controlled substances prescribing (once); renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Texas APRN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- CE appropriate to the advanced practice role and population focus from Board-recognized providers (e.g. AANP, ANCC, AANA, ACNM, NAPNAP, US colleges); APRNs may use Category I CME for everything except jurisprudence/ethics
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAPRNs with a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing opioids: 2 h each year on safe pain management and opioid/controlled substance prescribing; counts toward the 20 hours | 4 | every renewal |
| Human traffickingNurses providing direct patient care; HHSC-approved course | — | every renewal |
| Pharmacology (NP/APRN)APRNs with prescriptive authority: pharmacotherapeutics, in addition to the 20 hours | 5 | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingAPRNs with prescriptive authority who prescribe controlled substances; in addition to the 20 + 5 hours (28 total) | 3 | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingAPRNs authorized to receive Prescription Monitoring Program information: within 1 year of initial licensure (prescribing and monitoring controlled substances) | 2 | once |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)All nurses: nursing jurisprudence and ethics, CNE only | 2 | every 6 years |
| Geriatrics / agingNurses whose practice includes older adults | 2 | every renewal |
| Forensic evidence collectionNurses working in an ER setting, within 2 years of starting | 2 | once |
Alternatives & exemptions. Instead of the 20 hours: achieving, maintaining or renewing the Board-recognized national certification for the APRN role and population focus during the licensing period (targeted CE still applies; certification does not replace pharmacotherapeutics, controlled substance or jurisprudence hours).
Good to know. The 20 APRN hours also satisfy the RN renewal (not in addition). Prescribers of controlled substances need 28 hours in total. CE on tick-borne diseases is encouraged (not required) for APRNs treating them.
Source: www.bon.texas.gov · 22 Tex. Admin. Code §216.3 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Texas
05 Questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Texas?
20 contact hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurse practitioners in Texas?
CE appropriate to the advanced practice role and population focus from Board-recognized providers (e.g. AANP, ANCC, AANA, ACNM, NAPNAP, US colleges); APRNs may use Category I CME for everything except jurisprudence/ethics.
Which CE topics are mandatory for nurse practitioners in Texas?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 4 h (every renewal); Human trafficking (every renewal); Pharmacology (NP/APRN) — 5 h (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 3 h (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 2 h (once); State laws & rules (jurisprudence) — 2 h (every 6 years); Geriatrics / aging — 2 h (every renewal); Forensic evidence collection — 2 h (once).
How do I verify a nurse practitioner license in Texas?
Use the license lookup of the Texas Board of Nursing (bon.texas.gov); 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 Texas?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).