Nurses · New Jersey · Continuing education
New Jersey Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN30 contact hours every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal on the date shown on your license.
- LPN30 contact hours every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
New Jersey RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Nursing CE approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency (incl. ANCC-approved employer courses); online courses accepted; course types per N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d).
- Carryover
- Up to 15 extra contact hours may be carried into the next renewal period.
- Audits & records
- Board may request certificates (random audit or investigation); keep certificates at least 5 years.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementall RNs and LPNs: prescription opioids, non-opioid pain alternatives, signs of abuse, addiction and diversion | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. CE window ends May 31 of the renewal year (Board example: renewal May 2019 covers June 1, 2017 - May 31, 2019). Retired/out-of-state nurses with active licenses must comply; inactive status needs no CE. Optional menopause CE counts (P.L. 2025, c. 175).
Source: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov · N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 · checked Oct 28, 2026
New Jersey LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Nursing CE approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency (incl. ANCC-approved employer courses); online courses accepted; course types per N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d).
- Carryover
- Up to 15 extra contact hours may be carried into the next renewal period.
- Audits & records
- Board may request certificates (random audit or investigation); keep certificates at least 5 years.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementall RNs and LPNs: prescription opioids, non-opioid pain alternatives, signs of abuse, addiction and diversion | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. CE window ends May 31 of the renewal year (Board example: renewal May 2019 covers June 1, 2017 - May 31, 2019). Retired/out-of-state nurses with active licenses must comply; inactive status needs no CE. Optional menopause CE counts (P.L. 2025, c. 175).
Source: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov · N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in New Jersey
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in New Jersey?
Use the license lookup of the New Jersey Board of Nursing (njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/default.aspx); 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 New Jersey?
RN: 30 contact hours every 2 years. LPN: 30 contact hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurses in New Jersey?
RN: Nursing CE approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency (incl. ANCC-approved employer courses); online courses accepted; course types per N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d). LPN: Nursing CE approved by an ANCC-accredited credentialing agency (incl. ANCC-approved employer courses); online courses accepted; course types per N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.3(d).
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in New Jersey?
RN: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).