Nurses · District of Columbia · Continuing education
District of Columbia Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN24 hours every 2 years, including 2 h cultural competency, 2.5 h public health priority topics; renewal by the end of your birth month.
- LPN18 hours every 2 years, including 2 h cultural competency; 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
District of Columbia RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 24hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Upload
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Certificates from approved CE providers showing hours, date and approval status
- Renewal fee
- $145
- New licensees
- First-time renewals are exempt from CE.
- Renew online
- dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural competencyall renewing RNs (LGBTQ cultural competency) | 2 | every renewal |
| Public health priority topicstopics from the DC Health public health priorities list | 2.5 | every renewal |
Good to know. Certificates are uploaded in the renewal portal. DC is moving all licenses to birth-month expiry; licensees with a shortened transition term need 50% of the hours plus the mandatory topics.
Source: dchealth.dc.gov · checked Oct 28, 2026
District of Columbia LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 18hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Upload
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Certificates from approved CE providers; academic nursing courses (1 credit = 15 hours), presenter and author/editor options also accepted
- New licensees
- First-time renewals are exempt from CE.
- Renew online
- dohlicenseinfo.secure.force.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural competencyall renewing LPNs (LGBTQ or cultural awareness) | 2 | every renewal |
| Public health priority topicstopics from the DC Health public health priorities list; hours not stated on the LPN sheet | — | every renewal |
Good to know. Hours from the board's 2023 LPN renewal sheet (latest LPN-specific document found). Birth-month expiry applies from the transition.
Source: dchealth.dc.gov · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in District of Columbia
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in District of Columbia?
Use the license lookup of the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) (dchealth.dc.gov/bon); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do nurses need in District of Columbia?
RN: 24 hours every 2 years. LPN: 18 hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurses in District of Columbia?
RN: Certificates from approved CE providers showing hours, date and approval status. LPN: Certificates from approved CE providers; academic nursing courses (1 credit = 15 hours), presenter and author/editor options also accepted.
How much does a nurse license renewal cost in District of Columbia?
RN: $145 per renewal, as listed by the board.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in District of Columbia?
RN: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).
How do nurses report CE in District of Columbia?
RN: By uploading certificates with the renewal. LPN: By uploading certificates with the renewal.