Nurses · North Carolina · Continuing education
North Carolina Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN30 contact hours every 2 years; renewal by the end of your birth month.
- LPN30 contact hours every 2 years; 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
North Carolina RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Audits & records
- Licensees are audited at renewal/reinstatement; proof due by the last day of the renewal month; keep documentation 3 years.
Alternatives & exemptions. Instead of 30 contact hours the nurse may choose one option: national certification/recertification in the practice role; a board-approved refresher course; 2 semester hours of post-licensure nursing education; or 15 contact hours plus one of: a nursing project as (co-)principal investigator, a published nursing article/book/chapter, ≥5 contact hours of presentations taught, or 640 hours of active practice in the last 2 years.
Good to know. Biennial renewal by the last day of the birth month. Each renewal also needs a self-assessment of practice and a learning plan. Active-duty military may be exempt.
Source: reports.oah.state.nc.us · 21 NCAC 36 .0232; 21 NCAC 36 .0201 · checked Oct 28, 2026
North Carolina LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Audits & records
- Licensees are audited at renewal/reinstatement; proof due by the last day of the renewal month; keep documentation 3 years.
Alternatives & exemptions. Instead of 30 contact hours the nurse may choose one option: national certification/recertification in the practice role; a board-approved refresher course; 2 semester hours of post-licensure nursing education; or 15 contact hours plus one of: a nursing project as (co-)principal investigator, a published nursing article/book/chapter, ≥5 contact hours of presentations taught, or 640 hours of active practice in the last 2 years.
Good to know. Biennial renewal by the last day of the birth month. Each renewal also needs a self-assessment of practice and a learning plan. Active-duty military may be exempt.
Source: reports.oah.state.nc.us · 21 NCAC 36 .0232; 21 NCAC 36 .0201 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in North Carolina
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in North Carolina?
Use the license lookup of the North Carolina Board of Nursing (ncbon.com); 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 North Carolina?
RN: 30 contact hours every 2 years. LPN: 30 contact hours every 2 years.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LPN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.